Griffey Jr. Auto opinion

[nicker10]

Just curious for an opinion on this Griffey jr. Auto. It was said to have been signed in 1988 and I know his signature was a little different then but I haven't seen many examples of the "G" being that distanced from the other letters and was curious what other people thought.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k260/nicker10/Screenshot_2015-07-26-16-51-48_zpsjyfht9kt.png (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/nicker10/media/Screenshot_2015-07-26-16-51-48_zpsjyfht9kt.png.html)

[T20Brew]

I don't believe it to be authentic.
It looks quite off.

[vthobby]

When Griff Jr was in Burlington Vermont for a VERY short time in 1988 (Vermont Mariners), I got him about 7 or 8 times. I was young and he was only 18 I think and he still was a bit tough. 7 or 8 over the course of maybe 5 or 6 weeks mind you!

His auto has changed over the years. I would buy this auto if it was offered to me. If you want assurance, have it looked at by TPGs but it is indicative of his early autograph.

I can understand if all folks have seen are his recent in pack autos as they do not match.

I've attached a photo of a 1989 baseball that PSA shows on their web site. It is very similar to this example and that ball was authenticated.

I unfortunately do not have any left from those days!!! Foolish me!!!! :(

Mike

198697

[nicker10]

It's funny that you say that because that's exactly where the seller said he got it signed!

[vthobby]

Not sure if your response was to me? Not sure what you mean by the seller?

All I see is a Griffey and a question from a net54 member?

Mike

[nicker10]

Sorry, it was to you. The person who is selling that Griffey autograph said that they actually got it signed while he was in Vermont in 1988 for that brief timr

[vthobby]

Can you please send me the link to that auction......I'd like to just see if it is anyone I know! When players came to Vermont (they still do although now with the VT Lake Monsters (A's affiliate) they stay with host families that drive them around and feed and house them etc....

When Griffey came to town my friend's parents housed Griffey in Winooski, VT about 2 miles from the Stadium.

Pretty crazy when you think about it but he would hang around with my buddy (who was in high school at the time) and he got some crazy Griffey stuff! He never invited us over when Griff was there though!!! :(

Peace, Mike

[T20Brew]

That's the good thing about this board, getting an education. My response was off the the Griffey autos I'm familiar with which are the ones I received in person in 1989. I wasn't comfortable with it but learned that his auto one year earlier may have some variations I wasn't familiar with.
Does anyone know the card it's signed on? That was actually part of my worry in that I thought it was a broder-type card from 1989 that was labeled as 1988. A lot of these came out around the late 80's - early 90's. I was concerned that someone told you it was obtained in 1988 when the card may not have been produced until 1989, thus creating a problem.
If I'm wrong, I'm ok with that. Just food for thought.

[vthobby]

1988 Rookies II
Several unlicensed Rookies sets were put out in 1988.

This 21 card baseball set does not have a border, has square corners, and includes the player name, team and year on the front. The back of the card has a cartoon along with the set name, year, series, and card number.

Mike

[nicker10]

Thanks for all of the help in this thread. I did end up purchasing the card. I have been wanting to start collecting early career signatures of players just for something different to collect.

[vthobby]

I originally thought it looked like a Mothers Cookie Card but after someone asked in this thread, I actually looked the card in question up and found the info. I'm not sure a third party grading company will actually slab the card since it is not officially licensed but you may be able to just get a cert without slabbing the card.

It looks like you got a pretty fair deal on it either way.

Mike

[MacDice]

Signature is real. Personally I would pass on it since I don't consider it to be a real card. Feel that way about all the borders