Opinions needed on this 1911 Helmar Stamps Max Carey
 

I recently bought this 1911 Helmar Stamps Max Carey on eBay. It was part of a near set that the seller was unloading. I found out today that it did not get authenticated, so I'm not sure what I should do now. I'm not super familiar with this issue as far as reprints go, so I wanted to elicit the board's feedback so I know whether to keep the stamp or return it. Thanks!

I know almost nothing about this set, but I doubt anyone would take the time to counterfeit a Helmar Stamp Max Carey, and as best as I can see the set has never been reprinted. Rough top corners, diamond cut, realistic back issues, and bad centering are not marks of a typical counterfeit.

Looks 100% authentic...

I agree with looks 100%. Do you own any other Helmar Stamps? I ask because the paper has a distinct feel. Was it PSA or SGC that turned it down? If it was PSA I think I would try SGC. A less knowledgeable TPG employee might see all the Helmar Brewing stamps and lump this one in.
All in all as a Hof rookie it is pretty scarce. I think I would get 2nd opinion before I let it go.

I'm betting the silly eBay program wouldn't authenticate it because it is a stamp, not because it is a fake.

Agree with all, looks good to me.

Agreed

100% legit. I own a complete set of Helmar Stamps. There are a few reprints out there, but they are pretty easily detectable. This one is not one of them. I think the eBay authentication program is flawed, nothing wrong with the stamp itself. You got a nice HOF rookie “card” too, which is why I presume you picked it up.

Nice snag!!

It looks real to me...

I suggest you illuminate it with a black light for self-satisfaction. Really easy to do, real ones won't fluoresce.

Fun thing, one way of determining the paper of some stamps from the 1870s is that they react to UV.
Same with the inks. On a few it can be the difference between $100 and $4000

Someone taking the time to counterfeit Helmar Stamps would be another sign of the apocalypse. They are just so obscure. No offense intended (I have a couple, because my great grandfather Billy Sullivan is part of the set), but my understanding is that apart from Ty Cobb, most of these are worth less than $50.

Most are fairly inexpensive but the bigger hof'ers will be a few times more, or more. :D

a few...(obviously not "to size")

All's well that ends well. This was the first of 3 completely legitimate items that the so-called "experts" who handle the eBay Authentication failed to authenticate - all for supposedly being mis-categorized. What an absolute joke of a service. All it does is cause a delay in me getting my items. It should either be optional or done away with. I can't remember one change that eBay's made over the years that made that was for the better. Ok, rant over. Happy holidays, fellas. :)
https://caimages.collectors.com/psai...l.jpg?v=614727

The ebay authentication program starts at $250, so our OP paid at least that.

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The Carey is a HOF rookie issue. Not super popular because it is, after all, a stamp. But it is on the radar for a lot of HOF RC collectors.

100%. And Brooklyn commons routinely sell for $100+. And if you find a Cy Young, jump on it! That one never comes up for sale! I think I paid $600+ pre 2020 run-up in all prices. It was the last one I needed to complete the Helmar Stamps set.

You got a really nice example there! Congrats on the “2”. Anything over a “1” is a win for this set.