Expertise needed on 1934 Lou Gherig Knot Hole League/Goudey Display

[Lucas00]

I have the opportunity to pick this piece up but I cannot tell if it is period correct at all. To me the wear looks genuine and not faked. Heavy creasing and discoloration.
However that could simply be my naive experience with early display pieces as it's basically zero.
I can't find a single auction sale of an original one of these, ever. Apparently this ties into goudey? Not sure about that, but the seller told me it does.

Hopefully will get a pic of the back to share as well.

Would love a few opinions.

[gonefishin]

It sure looks authentic. However, I have been fooled before with items that in frames and under glass - they sure can hide a lot of clues. Of course, if you had it in hand you could validate the printing method.

On the positive side, I would really doubt that someone would counterfeit an advertising piece - but it happens I'm sure.

[jbsports33]

if the item is framed and you cannot touch the paper - stay away! unless the owner lets you take a look at the original back

Does look old - the paper for this should be similar to 1930s Wheaties Cereal

Good Luck!

Jimmy

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by jbsports33

if the item is framed and you cannot touch the paper - stay away! unless the owner lets you take a look at the original back

Does look old - the paper for this should be similar to 1930s Wheaties Cereal

Good Luck!

Jimmy

Unfortunately it's halfway across the country for me so I can't touch it.

[Snapolit1]

I bought one at an AH a few years ago and the owner reached out to me later and said he learned it was a fake and he refunded my money. I appreciated it. I forget exactly what he told me but if I remember correctly it was nearly all of these are fakes. Was on heavy cardboard and not light paper.

Was a cool piece. Wish it was real.

[NiceDocter]

From a while back. I really dont like the looks of this one..... maybe artificially aged?? I think I would stay away from these "too good to be true" pieces..... just my opinion.
https://www.number5typecollection.co...-and-1934.html
Addendum.... interesting how the second one I posted has more on the bottom..... wonder why a fake would get matted out or have the bottom missing..... but fakers are clever...... Im still skeptical.... Rocky

[Lucas00]

Thanks everyone for the feedback seriously appreciated. I think as of now it's too much of a risk to pursue further.

[Southpaw85]

Reminds me of this thread:
https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...uth+blacklight

[jbsports33]

Yea - can be tough when you cannot see it in person with these types of signs!

Maybe you get something similar down the road

Good luck!

[Snapolit1]

My fake one.

[BRoberts]

I suggest reaching out to Al at Love of the Game auctions. He can provide info on this piece.

[Hankphenom]

Run away!

[bigfanNY]

I agree with Hank that you should keep your wallet stronly secured if you are anywhere near this piece. I think that there is something to be gained by examining it. It is a piece that was created to seperate money from an unsuspecting collector of Sports Memorabilia. A great deal of time and effort was put into creating these. I say these because I have seen more than one. I wonder if any High Quality pictures were taken of the one purchased from the AH? If there are I would greatly appreciate copies please PM me and I will provide my email address to send them. Perhaps some of the folks who have studied printing can weigh in on the quality of the workmanship.
My point is that items such as this are not easy to spot.But even if your gut is screaming no it is worth your time to examine the item. Looking at it under magnification. A blacklight flashlight is helpful. Take high resolution photos. Use the opportunity to document what you like about the item and what you don't. Everyone of us dreams of finding a rare and valuable piece of baseball history for a price we can afford. Take the time to understand the side of our hobby that looks to use our dream against us.

[aelefson]

Good points Jonathan. I have seen it before too and the price point has always made me suspicious as I think one was priced at 450 and another one I saw was priced around 400. I do agree with others who say it is definitely fake and I agree with Jonathan that someone put in some effort to fake these many years ago.

Alan