Jim Thorpe card on ebay
 

Obviously, the consensus was that this card was fake. But why? It didn't have the usual tell tale signs of a fake M101-4/5. What did I miss?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161291332654...84.m1423.l2649

Several of his recent positive feedback are from refunds he gave for items not passing authentication. I see where he sold a Wagner reprint for $152 too. That being said it looks like a few higher end items he sold might have been good? The coloring on the Thorpe looks off and at least one of the corners looks artificially rounded. From the scan I am not 100% on it being fake but close to it.

That card does not exist with that back.

I don't like the artificial wear around the edges. Does a Gimbel's Thorpe even exist?

Edited to add: Todd, you beat me to it.

Evenly rounded corners but no damage to the rest of the card?

David

I was thinking about bidding on the card, but the frame around the picture was the tipoff.

I don't know Brian, the framing is one of the few things that looks legit to me. The reprint Thorpe, at least the Fritsch version, has a much bigger gap between photo and frame, and the resulting crop leaves very little space between his right hand and the edge--about enough for 1/2 to 3/4 of one of his fingers. This fake or copy allows much more space, like the real deal.

Others have pointed out the problems with this card, which I never looked at closely because again the Thorpe cannot be found with that back. Artificial rounding--very apparent on one corner-- and a lack of edge wear are solid signs. I would also bet the card is thinner than a real m101-5 once you have it in hand. The magnified views also show it to be trimmed if not hand-cut along the right edge. Add to that the fact that seller has auctioned other bogus high-dollar m101s (Altoona Tribunes with wrong font and WaJo with wrong card #) and knows how to sell slabbed cards while leaving these raw and you have yourself most of the usual flags.

My two cents.

Todd,

The back temped me, but between my gut feeling from seeing the lined border and then seeing the other cards offered and his history of returns, I begged off.

Well played, Brian--you saved yourself $200, which can be applied toward the purchase of a few different items I've posted in the B/S/T over the past couple of weeks :)

EDITED TO ADD: For those who may not know, Thorpe is an m101-5 only card. M101-5 Gimbels do exist, but only in low numbered cards 1-20, and when you find one, they will have block and not italicized or slanted letters for "Gimbels". Compare (from Old Cardboard):
http://photos.imageevent.com/imoverh...bsize/gims.jpg

I was watching that card, but after checking his feedback and seeing it was riddled with fake cards not clearing PSA but issuing refunds, I quickly "un watched " it

Check out the feedback for the T206 Wagner which he sold for $150. "Item failed grading by PSA. Received full refund. Thanks!"

LOLOL!

Unfortunately, the fake Thorpe card was apparently sold.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JIM-THORPE-B...db66c2ehttp://

I wouldnt buy a thing from him. Makes me wonder about the 1954 red heart set.
THESE CARDS ARE 100% ORIGINAL BECAUSE MY FATHER PURCHASED THEM IN 54, AND PLEASE DO NOT THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GRADED. BECAUSE NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

Wow didnt realize they sold sets of cards in 1954 that were issued in dog food. Also he has a lot more returns than you can see in his feedback. The 1934 mel ott batters up sold, then it sold again. It is the identical card, look at the crease at the top so even after it was returned he resold it anyway.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1934-mel-ott...p2047675.l2557