Need a press pin experts opinion

[keithsky]

Was wondering if there is a press pin expert out there that could answer a question I have. Looking at a 1959 White Sox press pin and was wondering how to tell if it is original or reproduction. Hate to spend a good amount and find out it is a repo. I think the original had a screw in on the back and repo are push pin but not sure and were made by Balfour. I guess repos could have that stamped in them to if they want to get passed off as real. Any help would be appreciated. thanks

[Sean1125]

The repro is blank back while the original has the balfour stamp (that is what I have concluded from the research I have just done)

"Balfour did make and distribute reproductions of pins around 1991-1992 with identifying marks which were serially numbered."

Repro "This pin is blank backed and believed to have been made in 1991 by Balfour. The pin is of the same size as the original with a push pin back"
"I believe because of the limited number of pins found and recently distributed that they were either samples or would not be issued by the company without marks identifying them as reproduction."

That being said, one could determine there was a decent amount of reproductions released.

Americanmemorabilia auctioned one off as original it was stamped "Balfour" at the bottom on the back.

I hope this helps!

Berger:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-World-Series-Press-Pin-Chicago-White-Sox-w-Case-/290447372036?pt=Vintage_Sports_Memorabilia&hash=item43a0032f04
Repro:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reproduction-of-1959-White-Sox-World-Series-Press-Pin-/360222533111?pt=US_Baseball_Fan_Shop&hash=item53deefa5f7
AM:
http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=24611&t=Closed&p=0&q=1919&offset=30

[tony]

Hi the original has Balfour on the back. I've had quite a few of them and they have always had this mark, with the screw back post. A good reference tool is on Presspins. com. If you go to the bottom of the page you will see a link that says press pin info. Click on that and it will led to a link that shows a photo of the front and back of all press pins. Press pins are kind of tough as some of the pins do not have any makers marks.