hank aaron
 

I know it trimmed and in poor shape but is it real??

Thansk Tucker

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:RTQ:US:1123

To me, it looks real, but I'm going to say no. Here's why. I can see some kid trimming the two side and bottom borders 60 years ago, but why would somebody trim the top border? There is nothing there to trim (card wasn't printed with a top border), but the pciture shows it is trimmed as well.

I'm almost sure it's fake. The thing that makes me thinks so, is where there is a break in the surface or edge of the card and you can see the cardboard making up the inside of the card. That cardboard should be a grayish color and on this card the cardboard is white. This isn't consistent with the type of material these cards were made out of. I don't know the correct terminology, but basically the wood pulp wasn't bleached in the original and in this reproduction the paper pulp making up the card is white so when the interior material is visible it's the wrong color. I hope that makes sense.

The thing I find most troubling about this is the ugly plastic case. For some reason, having one of those with a card screams fake to me. It may sound weird, but it just seems like most cards on eBay that come with that holder are fake. Almost like the guy is trying to make it look like a more valuable card by presenting it in what he perceives is a fancy holder.

David M--
 

--I believe you are "right on" about the white showing thru--that is not the normal card stock.

Hmmm, I dunno - wouldn't the original cardstock have been more whitish than most other 1950's issues, since the cardback is definitely more toward white than grey?
As for some kid trimming it on all four sides - maybe he beat it up pretty good and all the corners were really dinged, so he just cut all the way around. Who knows?

aaron
 

Thanks fellas

This Berra that is missing a corner, might help show what I'm talking about when I said the cardboard is a different color inside the card.

I vote fake
 

My rule is ... I see a case like that ... I run.

Never seen a real card sold in one of those (at least on Ebay). Seen way too many obvious fakes sold in them.

I wouldn't waste my money or time on this one.

Fake or not, it's throwing good money after bad.

Agreed, $110 for this "item" is a complete waste of money.

To all...I was able to quickly find two examples that I consider much better, and at a somewhat comparable price. In my humble opinion, this would be a more sensible route to take for those looking to snag an Aaron Rookie on a budget. Without endorsing this particular card or eBay seller, a PSA Authentic '54 Aaron is not too terrible a card to own.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1954-Topps-H...p2047675.l2557

Here's another. Again, IMHO, this would be a superior option to the card pointed out by the original post. And, again, without endorsing this particular card or eBay seller, a PSA 1 '54 Aaron is not too terrible a card to own, either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1954-Topps-H...p2047675.l2557

As to the authenticity of the trimmed copy, I would prefer not to speculate. I still can't get over the price realized and have not closely examined it.

Best Regards,

Eric