Originally Posted by shimozukawa (Post 865236)

I haven't accused you of anything. I'm pretty outspoken, and if I felt you were trying to fool people, I'd just come out and say it. I merely stated the facts:

1) The cap looks like a normal 59-Fifty.
2) The handwriting on the cap doesn't match examples available to the marketplace from Upper Deck. (This is in reference to general stylization than the actual flow/slant.)
3) JSA cannot authenticate the item, because they have stated an open policy of not authenticating game used items in the past. I'm not sure if that still applies to bats, since PSA has bat authentication now, perhaps JSA has decided to follow along the path. Therefore, the authentication would need to rely upon #2.

All of that stated, I said the item would be rejected based upon handwriting not matching known samples. I'm not exactly sure how that is different from:
"They just could not authenticate based on the writing."

Again, unless JSA has changed policies since the last time I spoke with them, they aren't in the business of game-use authentication. They're in the business of autograph (and by extension, handwriting) authentication.

You're asking how to market an item that only you and your friend are thus-far able to verify to be real. I have tried my best to help you.

Here's how one would market an autograph:

Guarantee it. Lifetime money back guarantee. I have always assumed this to be the lesser of current market value or dollar amount at time of purchase.

I think it's safe to assume that a similar method would work for other difficult to authenticate items. Then again, as an eBay vendor (and not a brick and mortar business), it's difficult to truly offer a lifetime guarantee... so go with the previous suggestion of getting someone from the Scorpions (or preferably Harper, himself) to authenticate the item. And by "someone from the Scorpions," I mean someone from their front office who is likely to still be with the company five years from now.

Originally Posted by novakjr (Post 865244)

I think what shimo's ultimately getting at, is that he doesn't doubt the authenticity, but aside from getting something in writing from either the team or Bryce himself, you're gonna have a hard time getting any legit authenticators to authenticate it for you.

And I don't think he was accusing you of anything. But the point about the Jordan hats is, with this game used hat having the exact same appearance as a typical hat that "could" be bought at any given store, it's only a matter of time before the market is flooded with a bunch of these hats with the same writing on them, all the while yours will just be lost in the mix without any authentication to make it stand out..

Don't get me wrong here, I don't doubt you one bit...Right now the only that makes this stand out from the rest is that YOU know it's real, having obtained it first-hand. Without authentication, anyone who owns this after you will not KNOW, at that point it becomes BELIEF. And belief doesn't carry as much value as knowing for sure.

Either way, it's a great item.

Originally Posted by shimozukawa (Post 865192)

Cool item, but doubt there's really a market for it, even if you could verify the story/authenticity.

Originally Posted by baseball tourist (Post 865339)

I suggest posting pics of the hat on the GUU site (gameuseduniverse.com). There are a number of very knowledgable game used equipment collectors there that don't read items on this board.

Harper has been under an intense media spotlight for some time and there have been tons of images of him taken. You may get lucky and someone may have come across a pic that will help substantiate the writing on the underside of the brim. Photo matching is a speciality of a few GUU members and with the interest around Harper, I am sure there will be people that would like to help.

With regards to value (realize that you didn't ask) $500 would be a fair starting point if it could be photo matched etc.

Quick note on the price of the singed Pens hat mentioned. Not a game used item, not an item used in the playing of the sport, not really a useful comparison tool.

Originally Posted by Basinballers (Post 865461)

I did search the web hoping to find a photo but none show the under brim of his hat. Odds of getting that would be tough. I will keep looking though. Someone mentioned a bat. Are you referring to the Harper gamer in my store? It is also on consignment from the same source. We are kind of hoping that Bryce makes it back to the AFL next year and maybe we can resolve this then. As far as the Posey glove goes, can an unendorsed glove be authenticated as GU? If so, please tell me who does this.

Originally Posted by baseball tourist (Post 865601)

not the clearest image but does hint at a Harper's writing preferences under the bill.

http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u...e/54d02166.jpg

with regards to the Posey glove. It should be easier to match a glove style as it should be quite visible in many shots.

Have fun digging! Good luck.

Originally Posted by khkco4bls (Post 866378)

why pay 500.00 dollars for a hat of a guy thats done nothing.

Originally Posted by shimozukawa (Post 866298)

So your source's story has changed from "Bryce Harper gave me this hat which he used in the AFL Championship game, but he refused to sign the hat." to "I found this hat next to Bryce Harper's locker on a table after the players cleaned out their lockers for the season."... and you don't find that HIGHLY disconcerting? Those are two VERY different stories. Especially after you were aggressively defensive when I mentioned that there were issues with potential authentication.

Given this new origin story, I would even question the validity of the bat being game-used by Harper. How do you know that your friend didn't simply find Harper's bat in the garbage (or on the ground or whatever) after batting practice? The bat might not be game used... heck, it might not even have been used by Harper! After all, it's not unheard of for players to use other players' bats. Yes, players do allow teammates to use their bats on occasion. Some players won't allow others to use their bat, but some players will.

To be honest, this calls into question the integrity of every item he's ever given to you or that you've sold for him. Just my thoughts.