First W514 Card - Need Opinions
 

Ok, so I would like to think I've been collecting long enough to spot fake T206, that's what I predominately collect. However, at a local show today I picked up my first W514, a Christy Mathewson no less! I didn't pay much for it, and my gut tells me it's legit. I would like a few of you to take a look at it and give me your opinion though. Since joining this board, I've enjoyed these kinds of threads, they've really taught me a lot about to look for and how to spot fakes.

Thanks in advance!

Rich

Rich,
Welcome to the world of strip cards.
Your Matty is legit.
I've yet to see a reprint set of W514's so any fakes would be "homemade" from an original and would be pretty easy to spot in person and with a good scan, which you have.
Everything is good about this card: the printing/coloring is right and the paper stock with the appropriate aging/browning would be hard to fake. Strip cards were printed on much cheaper stock than say T206's so after handling a few in person you will learn that they all will "brown" over time (even well-kept ones) compared to T206's which will stay pretty "clean" if not exposed to harsh conditions.
Check my signature below for a link to my W514 set (currently at 101/124) to see some other examples of what to look for. I may have some duplicates if you are looking to expand on this set.
-Chris.

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

Rich

Richie pretty card and its good:)

Agreed, good