New charges of sports memorabilia and art fraud

[jayshum]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...mgq-story.html

[hcv123]

Exton PA - sounds like Hunt Auctions?

More importantly, I wonder who the authenticator was!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Man, there's a whole world of sports CARD fraud out there, I hope some day we see THOSE indictments. I note that the crimes here at least the ones discussed were 2016 and 3017, and actually one traced back to 2005 (yikes), so it took some time for this to play out.

[mrreality68]

the news is scary but sadly I am sure there are others going on as we speak. and new attempts coming soon.
Especially as the values continue to grow the money potential for these people is to much to resist.
Power of this forum and knowledge will hopefully help prevent some of it or at least prevent some people from getting burned.

[chriskim]

https://rehs.com/eng/2020/07/henkel-hoax/

HENKEL HOAX
July 10, 2020
An alleged forgery ring is unraveling after authorities garnered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for artist Donald “D.B” Henkel’s property in Traverse City, Michigan. According to reports, the FBI began investigating the artist after learning he was involved in the sale of fake works said to be by notable 20th Century American artist to U.S. galleries, collectors, and museums. Conservators confirmed that materials used in these “rediscovered” works did not exist during the period in which they were supposedly created.
These forgers did not only use their talents in the art world, but ventured in the world of sports memorabilia. According to one article:
Since 2015, two accused co-conspirators have sold a purported Babe Ruth bat for $60,000 and a Lou Gehrig bat for $120,000, according to the FBI agent. Most of the money was sent to Henkel and another person.
The FBI affidavit does not say the bat was counterfeit.
The timing of the Gehrig bat auction and price tag appears to match one sold by Hunt Auctions of Pennsylvania. According to the listing, the Gehrig bat belonged to a descendant of a bat boy who had met the New York Yankees legend.
With that, 30 FBI agents raided the home, seizing a number of undisclosed items. No arrests have been made… yet.
Source: In north Michigan woods, feds raid an alleged upscale art forgery factory
Source: FBI Raids Alleged Art Forgery Ring in Michigan Woods

[Snapolit1]

Really happy I never went heavy into autographed stuff. Just seemed way to sketchy. I don't care who your authenticator is, the science is shaky if non-existent, and some of the people doing it are sketchy as hell.

[Butch7999]

Originally Posted by chriskim

https://rehs.com/eng/2020/07/henkel-hoax/

HENKEL HOAX
July 10, 2020
An alleged forgery ring is unraveling after authorities garnered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant
for artist Donald “D.B” Henkel’s property in Traverse City, Michigan. According to reports, the FBI began
investigating the artist after learning he was involved in the sale of fake works ...
These forgers did not only use their talents in the art world, but ventured in the world of sports memorabilia. ...
Source: In north Michigan woods, feds raid an alleged upscale art forgery factory
Source: FBI Raids Alleged Art Forgery Ring in Michigan Woods

Anyone have any idea if the person named is related to or affiliated with artist / author / game designer
Donald G Henkel? He created and produced the tabletop game Call Pitch Baseball in 1974 out of his location
in Trenton Michigan (south of Detroit, opposite corner of the state from Traverse City).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/artsyt/2672701310

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Man, there's a whole world of sports CARD fraud out there, I hope some day we see THOSE indictments. I note that the crimes here at least the ones discussed were 2016 and 3017, and actually one traced back to 2005 (yikes), so it took some time for this to play out.

I have said this on the memorabilia side and people have called me crazy, but I have absolutely no doubt that after some # of months of practice I could sign a Babe Ruth ball that would pass in the hobby. The guy's name is 8 freakin' letters. There a few tell tale flourishes, but we are not talking counterfeiting one of the great Mormom Church historical documents. Which of course was done, repeatedly.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I have said this on the memorabilia side and people have called me crazy, but I have absolutely no doubt that after some # of months of practice I could sign a Babe Ruth ball that would pass in the hobby. The guy's name is 8 freakin' letters. There a few tell tale flourishes, but we are not talking counterfeiting one of the great Mormom Church historical documents. Which of course was done, repeatedly.

Who's authenticating these autographs? In many cases, a guy who allegedly authenticated a facsimile Churchill signature and at a deposition did not know if Ruth signed with his left or right hand. Count me a skeptic.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Who's authenticating these autographs? In many cases, a guy who allegedly authenticated a facsimile Churchill signature and at a deposition did not know if Ruth signed with his left or right hand. Count me a skeptic.

What is the typical practice for authenticating a signed baseball? Is it simply someone looking and comparing the handwriting to a known example, or is there more to it than that?

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Who's authenticating these autographs? In many cases, a guy who allegedly authenticated a facsimile Churchill signature and at a deposition did not know if Ruth signed with his left or right hand. Count me a skeptic.

Honestly while I tend to trust a JSA certification, even they get it wrong at times. I'd be more trusting of the opinion of some of the experienced autograph collectors here, or a couple that I know on Facebook.