Help With Bryce Harper's AFL Champ Cap

[Basinballers]

We have Bryce Harper's cap that he wore in the Arizona Fall League Championship game. A friend (who works in the clubhouse) wants to consign this in my eBay store. The big problem here is how do we prove the authenticity? Harper did not sign it for him but did write all over the brim prior to wearing it. I use JSA for my signature authenticity and I asked them to look at it at my last session with them. They took photos but after all was said and done, could not authenticate the writing due to Bryce being a relatively new star and not enough hand-writing to compare yet. So here we are with a great item and no way to market it. Any ideas?

[shimozukawa]

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[Basinballers]

Please let me clarify this. I was not clear enough in my post. Sorry. I am not asking for an opinion on the authenticity. I know it is the cap he wore in the game. I am not even asking anyone to believe me. I was just wondering on how to market it as the authenticity is hard to provide. I own a substantial autograph store on eBay and pride myself in only dealing in authentic signatures. As far as this being worth $65, I will ignore that statement. Yes, caps are not as sought after, but this is unique in my opinion. But, again, I am not asking for a value either. I am asking how would you market it? If I am in the wrong forum, I am sorry as I am new to this site. I was told that there are memorabilia collectors with knowledge of game-used equipment here. Game-used is not my expertise, but I do get items from time to time from the AZ Fall League and the Cactus League as I am in AZ. Just was hoping for a tip. A little frustrated now.

[Basinballers]

I also wanted to say that I do know where you were coming from on the writing being a bit different. No offense taken. I would probably say the same thing if I did not know it was his.

[Bilko G]

Originally Posted by shimozukawa

Cool item, but doubt there's really a market for it, even if you could verify the story/authenticity.

Here i have to disagree with you. If he could have had proper LOA from the team or Bryce himself this item would be very popular and i bet would sell for over $500, maybe even closer to a grand if Bryce supplied the LOA himself.


Comparing an actual game used Baseball cap of the Hottest Prospect/#1 Draft pick in Baseball (With Strasburg of course) in the last 10 years + to just an regular (store bought) autographed Baseball hat of Jagr/Mario is laughable at best.

[shimozukawa]

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[shimozukawa]

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[Basinballers]

JSA did not "fail the writing" They just could not authenticate based on the writing. I do about 200 pieces every quarter with them. Accusing this as fake is kind of over the top. That is very insulting. Hence the Jordan comment. I am not trying to fool anyone. I can see this is going nowhere. Should have never posted it. Thought maybe I would at least get a little respect. I guess I am a victim of all of the crime in the hobby. Very unfortunate. Thanks for the GU tip though. I do appreciate that part.

[shimozukawa]

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[Basinballers]

Originally Posted by shimozukawa

I haven't accused you of anything. I'm pretty outspoken, and if I felt you were trying to fool people, I'd just come out and say it. I merely stated the facts:

1) The cap looks like a normal 59-Fifty.
2) The handwriting on the cap doesn't match examples available to the marketplace from Upper Deck. (This is in reference to general stylization than the actual flow/slant.)
3) JSA cannot authenticate the item, because they have stated an open policy of not authenticating game used items in the past. I'm not sure if that still applies to bats, since PSA has bat authentication now, perhaps JSA has decided to follow along the path. Therefore, the authentication would need to rely upon #2.

All of that stated, I said the item would be rejected based upon handwriting not matching known samples. I'm not exactly sure how that is different from:
"They just could not authenticate based on the writing."

Again, unless JSA has changed policies since the last time I spoke with them, they aren't in the business of game-use authentication. They're in the business of autograph (and by extension, handwriting) authentication.

You're asking how to market an item that only you and your friend are thus-far able to verify to be real. I have tried my best to help you.

Here's how one would market an autograph:

Guarantee it. Lifetime money back guarantee. I have always assumed this to be the lesser of current market value or dollar amount at time of purchase.

I think it's safe to assume that a similar method would work for other difficult to authenticate items. Then again, as an eBay vendor (and not a brick and mortar business), it's difficult to truly offer a lifetime guarantee... so go with the previous suggestion of getting someone from the Scorpions (or preferably Harper, himself) to authenticate the item. And by "someone from the Scorpions," I mean someone from their front office who is likely to still be with the company five years from now.

Thanks for clarifying. I am pretty much in the same boat as to how to market it as you mentioned. Meaning that I can't do it. I asked Jimmy to authenticate as they have done some things like Ali crib notes and writing without signatures for example. JSA does not do game used authentication. (as you mentioned) I provide authentication for 99% of the items that I offer. I just feel that it gives the customer a better feeling of the authenticity. So, we were about to just hang up on this idea as I can not offer items like this that will obviously bring more grief than it is worth. I just thought I would ask for some input and I guess I got it. I did mention that he could provide a letter but then that implicates that he is selling memorabilia and not so good for hid job if you know what I mean. So, I have made up my mind to give it back and it will be in his room along with the Buster Posey glove that we have the same issue with. Kind of funny. He has Posey's catcher's mitt that he used in the 09 AFL, but there is nothing on it that says Buster Posey. He has provided many nice items and that is the good part. Sorry if I came off upset, but knowing that this is a one-of a kind and there is really nothing we can do with it is very frustrating.

[shimozukawa]

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[novakjr]

I think what shimo's ultimately getting at, is that he doesn't doubt the authenticity, but aside from getting something in writing from either the team or Bryce himself, you're gonna have a hard time getting any legit authenticators to authenticate it for you.

And I don't think he was accusing you of anything. But the point about the Jordan hats is, with this game used hat having the exact same appearance as a typical hat that "could" be bought at any given store, it's only a matter of time before the market is flooded with a bunch of these hats with the same writing on them, all the while yours will just be lost in the mix without any authentication to make it stand out..

Don't get me wrong here, I don't doubt you one bit...Right now the only that makes this stand out from the rest is that YOU know it's real, having obtained it first-hand. Without authentication, anyone who owns this after you will not KNOW, at that point it becomes BELIEF. And belief doesn't carry as much value as knowing for sure.

Either way, it's a great item.

[Basinballers]

Originally Posted by novakjr

I think what shimo's ultimately getting at, is that he doesn't doubt the authenticity, but aside from getting something in writing from either the team or Bryce himself, you're gonna have a hard time getting any legit authenticators to authenticate it for you.

And I don't think he was accusing you of anything. But the point about the Jordan hats is, with this game used hat having the exact same appearance as a typical hat that "could" be bought at any given store, it's only a matter of time before the market is flooded with a bunch of these hats with the same writing on them, all the while yours will just be lost in the mix without any authentication to make it stand out..

Don't get me wrong here, I don't doubt you one bit...Right now the only that makes this stand out from the rest is that YOU know it's real, having obtained it first-hand. Without authentication, anyone who owns this after you will not KNOW, at that point it becomes BELIEF. And belief doesn't carry as much value as knowing for sure.

Either way, it's a great item.

I agree 100%.

[shimozukawa]

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[baseball tourist]

I suggest posting pics of the hat on the GUU site (gameuseduniverse.com). There are a number of very knowledgable game used equipment collectors there that don't read items on this board.

Harper has been under an intense media spotlight for some time and there have been tons of images of him taken. You may get lucky and someone may have come across a pic that will help substantiate the writing on the underside of the brim. Photo matching is a speciality of a few GUU members and with the interest around Harper, I am sure there will be people that would like to help.

With regards to value (realize that you didn't ask) $500 would be a fair starting point if it could be photo matched etc.

Quick note on the price of the singed Pens hat mentioned. Not a game used item, not an item used in the playing of the sport, not really a useful comparison tool.

[Basinballers]

Originally Posted by baseball tourist

I suggest posting pics of the hat on the GUU site (gameuseduniverse.com). There are a number of very knowledgable game used equipment collectors there that don't read items on this board.

Harper has been under an intense media spotlight for some time and there have been tons of images of him taken. You may get lucky and someone may have come across a pic that will help substantiate the writing on the underside of the brim. Photo matching is a speciality of a few GUU members and with the interest around Harper, I am sure there will be people that would like to help.

With regards to value (realize that you didn't ask) $500 would be a fair starting point if it could be photo matched etc.

Quick note on the price of the singed Pens hat mentioned. Not a game used item, not an item used in the playing of the sport, not really a useful comparison tool.

I did search the web hoping to find a photo but none show the under brim of his hat. Odds of getting that would be tough. I will keep looking though. Someone mentioned a bat. Are you referring to the Harper gamer in my store? It is also on consignment from the same source. We are kind of hoping that Bryce makes it back to the AFL next year and maybe we can resolve this then. As far as the Posey glove goes, can an unendorsed glove be authenticated as GU? If so, please tell me who does this.

[shimozukawa]

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[Big Six]

I think that game was shown on MLBtv...did you try to find video from the game. I see guys on GUU who post video captures all the time for bats, jerseys, etc...might be worth it to see if you can find the video of the game.

[baseball tourist]

Originally Posted by Basinballers

I did search the web hoping to find a photo but none show the under brim of his hat. Odds of getting that would be tough. I will keep looking though. Someone mentioned a bat. Are you referring to the Harper gamer in my store? It is also on consignment from the same source. We are kind of hoping that Bryce makes it back to the AFL next year and maybe we can resolve this then. As far as the Posey glove goes, can an unendorsed glove be authenticated as GU? If so, please tell me who does this.

not the clearest image but does hint at a Harper's writing preferences under the bill.



with regards to the Posey glove. It should be easier to match a glove style as it should be quite visible in many shots.

Have fun digging! Good luck.

[Basinballers]

Originally Posted by baseball tourist

not the clearest image but does hint at a Harper's writing preferences under the bill.



with regards to the Posey glove. It should be easier to match a glove style as it should be quite visible in many shots.

Have fun digging! Good luck.

Thanks. I did look at this one. I blew it up too. It did look like writing under it, but I am unsure. I am going to see if I can get my hands on the Posey glove. I will be going to the Giants camp a few times in a couple of weeks. Maybe I can get him to sign it GU.