Modern Day Autograph Insert Cards - Do You Trust Them?

[slidekellyslide]

So I've dipped my toes into the water on collecting modern day insert cards with autographs. What do you guys think about these? Are they really signing themselves? Autopens? Ghost signers? I've been snatching up a lot of the $10-$50 autos, but would like to jump in and start going after the three figure cards like Brady, Gretzky, Jordan and others.

On another note, I don't really understand modern cards. Some cards seem to be numbered to 10 or 25, but I'll also see the same exact card with no number or numbered to 300 or some other high number. People are clearly paying a lot more for the lower numbered cards, but I'm not understanding why when the same damn card can be found with higher numbers. What am I missing there?

[Topnotchsy]

As someone who collected modern cards for 20 years:

1) I think in 99% of cases the autographs are legit.
2) Often the cards have slightly different versions that are numbered to different numbers. It's artificial scarcity, but people have accepted it for the most part. Though since so many sets are made, and many have a large number of parallels, the value of low-numbered cards is usually pretty low unless there is something significant about the set or card. (One example is the Bowman Chrome Rookie Autographs and parallels.)

[Kco]

They are legitimate, there are scarce instances where athletes have had friends or managers sign on their behalf, but those have usually been sniffed out and exposed quickly. I’m those instances, the card companies have always made it right. I’d is Topps or Panini certified you’re fine.

[Steve D]

On the numbering, the company will have the player sign say, five cards with a red sharpie...those will be numbered to 5. Then, they'll have the player sign 25 cards with a blue sharpie.....numbered to 25. 10 cards signed with a silver sharpie, and 20 cards signed in gold ink.

The company will also issue the same card, with different colored borders.....100 cards with a white border; 75 cards with a blue border, etc...

They will also vary the color of the foil on the card; some will use silver foil, and others will use gold foil; or the color of the ink used to print the wording will differ.

They are all the same basic card, just with different colors used.

In my case, I just go with the one that I like best, regardless of what that particular card is numbered to. Sometimes, I best like the version that's numbered to 10, other times the version numbered to 75 or 100 or whatever.

Rarely will I go after multiple or all versions of the card.

Regarding authenticity, I try to stick with Topps, as they say they have someone witness each and every signing.

Steve

[vintagechris]

I'm not sure if you are aware of this or not but some of these the autographs are on card and some are just on a sticker or tape affixed to the card. I personally only like the ones that are signed on card.

[rats60]

On the numbering, the company will have the player sign say, five cards with a red sharpie...those will be numbered to 5. Then, they'll have the player sign 25 cards with a blue sharpie.....numbered to 25. 10 cards signed with a silver sharpie, and 20 cards signed in gold ink.

The company will also issue the same card, with different colored borders.....100 cards with a white border; 75 cards with a blue border, etc...

They will also vary the color of the foil on the card; some will use silver foil, and others will use gold foil; or the color of the ink used to print the wording will differ.

They are all the same basic card, just with different colors used.

In my case, I just go with the one that I like best, regardless of what that particular card is numbered to. Sometimes, I best like the version that's numbered to 10, other times the version numbered to 75 or 100 or whatever.

Rarely will I go after multiple or all versions of the card.

Regarding authenticity, I try to stick with Topps, as they say they have someone witness each and every signing.

Steve

Upper Deck also witnesses every signature. I have done this in the past for them. They have Jordan and LeBron exclusives, so you would be safe with their autos.

[slidekellyslide]

I'm not sure if you are aware of this or not but some of these the autographs are on card and some are just on a sticker or tape affixed to the card. I personally only like the ones that are signed on card.

Yes, I have noticed this. I like the on card signatures a lot better and have noticed some of those stickers don’t even catch the whole signature.

[slidekellyslide]

Thanks for the replies. A lot of helpful info here.

[SetBuilder]

How many times have "game used" jersey patch and bat relic cards been proven to be highly suspect, or downright fake? Several times.

Recently, even Eli Manning was caught selling fake used jerseys and helmets. Link here: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/14/giants-qb-eli-manning-on-trial-accused-of-conspiring-to-sell-bogus-game-used-helmets.html

If they're not 100% honest with GU jerseys, helmets, relics, and patches, I wouldn't trust autographs either.

There's two types of autographs: old ones, and the modern ones. The modern ones are easy. You can probably trust companies like UD to certify that they witnessed the athlete signing the card or piece of memorabilia. I don't think we have any reason to believe a serious fraudulent operation is taking place at UD or Steiner.

The old autographs are a different story. People are human, and just like TPA's they make mistakes. Because the athletes that signed the cuts are dead, there can be no witness to the signing, and someone at the trading card companies has to go out and bid/buy the autographs in the secondary market. This means forgeries will inevitably slip by due to the fact that the buyers at these companies don't have any magical authentication powers, and they can be just as fallible as the rest of us.

Do I think they're purposely creating or buying fake autographs, or have in the past, to create insert cards? I can't make that assertion.

[SetBuilder]

Check this out. I found this recently and thought it was amusing.

It's a piece of coal from the Titanic. It was supposed to have been recovered from the wreckage, or the "vicinity" of the wreckage.

It comes packaged in a slick looking plastic case with a printed "Certificate of Authenticity behind it. It's no longer available, but I think it was like $30.

Now look at the buyer questions below.

Someone asked: "How do you know its really from the Titanic ???"

Then "Bob z" responds: "Faith... pure faith."

The best answer of all came from "Ms. Susan Caughey" who chimed in with a bit of a philosophical perspective: " This is not an item that a die-hard skeptic would enjoy, but I like it. Many things in life require a suspension of disbelief. This is one of them."

[itslarry]

Think of the various colors (cards #zed to different amounts) like different backs for t206. Lots of people try and get rainbows, which is 1 of ever card color. It has gotten truly out of control now tho, with panini putting something like 27 versions out.
I tend to like to get ones that make the team colors pop.
At some point is like to make a rain is of the newish 'topps tek'. The cards have different backgrounds and are kinda cool looking. Plus I already have the 1/1 so the hard part is done.

Don't trust any materials in cards. Every company has gotten caught "accidentally" using the wrong fabrics. I just look at it as an added piece of flair.

[vintagechris]

BTW, I am always surprised at some of the great deals you can get on some of these players. Some of them are really inexpensive considering who the player is.

[slidekellyslide]

Think of the various colors (cards #zed to different amounts) like different backs for t206. Lots of people try and get rainbows, which is 1 of ever card color. It has gotten truly out of control now tho, with panini putting something like 27 versions out.
I tend to like to get ones that make the team colors pop.
At some point is like to make a rain is of the newish 'topps tek'. The cards have different backgrounds and are kinda cool looking. Plus I already have the 1/1 so the hard part is done.

Don't trust any materials in cards. Every company has gotten caught "accidentally" using the wrong fabrics. I just look at it as an added piece of flair.

I don't really care for the "relic" cards. I still can't wrap my head around destroying a Babe Ruth bat so that a sliver of it can be put in a baseball card.

[steve B]

Here they talk about the coal. https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/community/threads/titanic-coal.5743/


One poster said that the authorized salvage company/relic hunters brought up enough coal for 400,000 pieces. And apparently the sales were pretty poor for a while.


Of course, there's still coal bits in the coal bin in my house, and I know the conversion to oil was done in 1946....


If anyone wants an official "steves house" piece of coal I'll whip up a nice little package...….Lets say $5 plus shipping? Unfortunately it won't be able to ship in time for Christmas.





Check this out. I found this recently and thought it was amusing.

It's a piece of coal from the Titanic. It was supposed to have been recovered from the wreckage, or the "vicinity" of the wreckage.

It comes packaged in a slick looking plastic case with a printed "Certificate of Authenticity behind it. It's no longer available, but I think it was like $30.

Now look at the buyer questions below.

Someone asked: "How do you know its really from the Titanic ???"

Then "Bob z" responds: "Faith... pure faith."

The best answer of all came from "Ms. Susan Caughey" who chimed in with a bit of a philosophical perspective: " This is not an item that a die-hard skeptic would enjoy, but I like it. Many things in life require a suspension of disbelief. This is one of them."

[Stampsfan]

... If anyone wants an official "steves house" piece of coal I'll whip up a nice little package...….Lets say $5 plus shipping? Unfortunately it won't be able to ship in time for Christmas.

OMG Steve this cracked me up. Thanks!!!

I tell you what. I'll purchase a piece of coal from your house, but I would need an independent 3rd party authentication on it before I make the "leap of faith".

At this point, it may be some crappy piece of coal from some old sunken ocean liner, and not really from your house.
:D

[Exhibitman]

Think of the various colors (cards #zed to different amounts) like different backs for t206. Lots of people try and get rainbows, which is 1 of ever card color. It has gotten truly out of control now tho, with panini putting something like 27 versions out.
I tend to like to get ones that make the team colors pop.
At some point is like to make a rain is of the newish 'topps tek'. The cards have different backgrounds and are kinda cool looking. Plus I already have the 1/1 so the hard part is done.

Don't trust any materials in cards. Every company has gotten caught "accidentally" using the wrong fabrics. I just look at it as an added piece of flair.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/dropins/websize/Office%20Space%20joanna.jpg

You do want to express yourself, don't you?

[steve B]

OMG Steve this cracked me up. Thanks!!!

I tell you what. I'll purchase a piece of coal from your house, but I would need an independent 3rd party authentication on it before I make the "leap of faith".

At this point, it may be some crappy piece of coal from some old sunken ocean liner, and not really from your house.
:D


I can send a video of me taking it out of the coal bin room. But my video COA costs a bit extra. :D