Mantle autographs, please help!

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Posted By: <b>Adam</b><p>Hi everyone!<br /><br />I have been reading your postings for a few weeks and decided to join today! You guys know your stuff cold, wow, it's impressive.<br /><br />I am a relatively new collector and would like to make sure I don't get ripped off on a Mantle autograph that is not PSA/DNA, GAI, UDA, etc. Mantle autographed items are to be one of the centers of my collection, but the No 7 UDA at over $1000 is not something I can just blink and pick up. <br /><br />Can someone teach me the basics about noticing a fake? What are some of the tell-tale signs of a fake (or of a real one?). Thanks so much for your help, you will likely save this not-so-well-off collector hundreds of wasted dollars =)

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Posted By: <b>Marc S.</b><p>Adam:<br /><br />If you're a new collector - why would you hesitate to get a Mantle autograph that is certified by UDA, PSA/DNA or GAI. Certainly PSA/DNA is not foolproof [see Richard Simon's extensive articles/website], but if you're new to the game - why take the risk if you don't have extensive experience with autographs in general, and Mantle in particular [a highly forged superstar...]<br /><br />You can get many certified pieces for well under the $1,000 UDA price

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Posted By: <b>Rob L</b><p>This is a tricky one. Mantle is an easy signature to forge and is also one of the top forged signatures. Your best bet is to purchase a Mantle that has been authenticated. Personally, I would not trust a PSA/DNA LOA that is dated after September 2004 nor would I trust a PSA/DNA auction type LOA. Right now, I only trust a Richard Simon or Mike Gutierrez LOA.<br /><br />Just my two cents.<br /><br />Rob L

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Posted By: <b>davidcycleback</b><p>My recommendation for buying autographs is to start by finding reputable, knowledgeable sellers. That has always been my recommendation and always will be my recommendation for buying autographs. Along with their knowledge and experience and honesty, a key with a reputable seller is that they will include a lifetime return policy. Meaning, if the item turns out to be a fake, you can return it and get your money back.<br /><br />Mike Gutierrez has periodical auctions on his we site (check Vintage Board Links). He will have interesting Mantle items in his auctions.

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Posted By: <b>Rob L</b><p>Richard has a Mantle 3x5 card for sale on his website for $150.00.<br /><br /><a href="http://about-autograph-collecting.com/baseball-autographs.htm" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://about-autograph-collecting.com/baseball-autographs.htm</a>

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Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p><br />www.onlineauthentics.com will help with evaluating a signature through eBay for like $20 (they have a bunch of experts) or Richard Simon I found to be an honest authenticator. You can't go wrong with either. Good Luck!

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Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>I think that you should buy a UDA ball. If it is going to be the only Mantle you are going to own and you want to be 99% sure its authentic that is the way to go. If you are thinking of buying and selling then you start to take your chances. You will pay more but its worth it. I would also buy a nice clean ball. The Bobby Brown balls have had a problem with spoting. If they are spoted or toned they tend to get worse. If they are clean now they usually stay that way.

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Posted By: <b>Adam</b><p>Hi everyone, wow, talk about fast replies! Yes, you all make some great points. I think I would just like to have more variety in the collection: a UDA baseball costs the same as a GAI baseball and 2 gateway cachets for example.<br /><br />Also, as a newbie, I just wanted to gain some knowledge. I read Jim Spence's "autograph signing habits" articles and found them to be solid and insightful (yes, he makes mistakes, but let's not debate that one again! =)). I was hoping from the Mantle experts on this board to get a quick similar lesson about Mantle autographs since, scary to me, the real ones and the fake ones look so similar to me! (there was a past post with links to bad fakes and so many users said things like "wow those are just BAD!" and I thought "wow, I cannot even tell why!")<br /><br />If you could impart some of this knowledge on me, that would be awesome! If not, thanks anyway! And thanks so much for your advice so far, you all rock!

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Posted By: <b>davidcycleback</b><p>Adam, Lelands.com has a Mantle ball and cachet in their current auction. You might wish to check it out.

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Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>If you wont hestitate to buy anything that has been authenticated by gai. Here are few bargins you can bid on.<br /><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27265&item=5167581022&rd=1" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27265&item=5167581022&rd=1</a><br /><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27265&item=5168694823&rd=1" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27265&item=5168694823&rd=1</a><br /><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=53&item=5167965687&rd=1" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=53&item=5167965687&rd=1</a><br /><br />I know your going to say how do I know these are bad. Well to make sure I sent them to a gentleman who sat with Joe for over five years and watched him sign his name 15000 times at least. If you think I am wrong send one of these pictures to Richard Simon or one of the other authenticators out there.

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Posted By: <b>Richard Simon</b><p>Based on the scans, I would disagree with the authentication on these photos.<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

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Posted By: <b>Jon Canfield</b><p>Adam,<br /><br />You can email me if you are looking for a Mantle. I have a few of them available - 8*10 framed/matted and a single signed baseball. I will personally guarantee the authenticity of the items and off you a fully refund if you chose to have them authenticated. I can provide more information of where the autographs came from, as well as price, etc in an email.

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Posted By: <b>Jay Miller</b><p>Adam--I have a signed Mantle photo that I got from him at a dinner I was hosting in 1992. I have plenty of other Mantle items and I would sell this one. I have a photo of him sitting next to me signing stuff as proof it is OK (or at least proof he sat next to me) <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>