I don't like this auction
 

The seller is forthright that this is a reproduction, but I still don't like these types of things. Why repro this at all?

http://cgi.ebay.com/RUBE-WADDELL-SIG...item27b5635299

170546909849

I could not agree more. I am completely against any and all reproductions of autographs and equipment. I don't care how well thay are stamped as a reproduction. Someone will take sandpaper to the stamping, rub oil and dirt all over it, leave it in the yard for a year, then sell it as an authentic old ball, bat, glove, etc. I don't care if it makes these pieces available to the masses, these products can only cause harm to the hobby. Please do not buy anything that is a reproduction of old baseball memorabilia or equipment. Ok...I'm done ranting.

I really don't think a novelty Rawlings modern day baseball is going to wreck too much havok in the hobby.

While I agree that a single or two aren't going to cause major problems and these examples are laughable, there are other pieces being made that are virtually identical to the vintage originals. Those I have a major problem with.

True... it won't wreck havoc in the hobby (to a large extent), but it could harm the novice collector who knows no better. The type of people who bid in Coach's Corner, and buy forged memorabilia at the Las Vegas Strip Stores, I'm assuming...

I know the argument that they should educate themselves before purchasing. But a substantial number of the vintage items I've sold lately have gone to spouses, siblings, and friends of collectors (who want to give a nice gift to a loved one). Often, these people don't "know their stuff" and are buying on faith.

For that reason (among others), I hate to see these pointless repro items entering our hobby.

Here's a question:
What are they using for an exemplar of Rube Waddell, and does a real one exist in the hobby?
If the answer is yes, I would love to see what it looks like!