Reproduction World Series Press Pins

[icollectDCsports]

It seems that there has been a surge over the past few years or so in eBay listings of repro press pins of series going back as far as the 1920s. Most of the sellers are from Europe. These repros have mostly either been represented as real or with no representation as to authenticity. From what I’ve seen, the repros have gotten better over the years and I would think many buyers are unsuspecting, leading to repros being introduced into the collecting community and then later resold. For the press pin collectors here, what are your thoughts on how to spot the fakes and how much of a threat this is to this niche of the hobby?

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

It seems that there has been a surge over the past few years or so in eBay listings of repro press pins of series going back as far as the 1920s. Most of the sellers are from Europe. These repros have mostly either been represented as real or with no representation as to authenticity. From what I’ve seen, the repros have gotten better over the years and I would think many buyers are unsuspecting, leading to repros being introduced into the collecting community and then later resold. For the press pin collectors here, what are your thoughts on how to spot the fakes and how much of a threat this is to this niche of the hobby?

I think it's become a deal-killer for many knowledgeable collectors, with even the Dieges and Clust stamping on a lot of the fakes. I wouldn't touch any of them with a ten-foot pole without airtight provenance, but the fakes are nice if you wanted to mount a collection for a fraction of the cost.

[perezfan]

I would avoid eBay completely and go the auction house route. Any reputable AH will know if it's authentic or a repro. Stick with the major/established ones like Leland's, Hunts, REA, LOTG, SCP, Heritage, etc.

Buying them in multiples is a great way to mitigate the cost. You used to see a lot of press pins offered in group lots, but they're getting tougher to find.

Best of luck.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by perezfan

I would avoid eBay completely and go the auction house route. Any reputable AH will know if it's authentic or a repro. Stick with the major/established ones like Leland's, Hunts, REA, LOTG, SCP, Heritage, etc.

Buying them in multiples is a great way to mitigate the cost. You used to see a lot of press pins offered in group lots, but they're getting tougher to find.

Best of luck.

That’s great advice for collectors. My post isn’t so much motivated by a desire to acquire them, but rather general concern about a threat to this niche of the hobby. I would think you’re correct that the major auction houses have experts who can spot the fakes. However, I was wondering whether there are some expert collectors here who can confidently sift out the bad ones just by looking at photos, no matter who is offering them. It just seems to me that once somewhat crude repros have evolved to the point of possibly fooling knowledgeable collectors. I guess I could see where such collectors might be reluctant to specify the obvious defects in the fakes, so as not to help the forgers further improve, but I’d still like to hear from collectors in general terms about their ability to do so.

[Hankphenom]

[QUOTE=icollectDCsports;2522454 I guess I could see where such collectors might be reluctant to specify the obvious defects in the fakes, so as not to help the forgers further improve, but I’d still like to hear from collectors in general terms about their ability to do so.[/QUOTE] +1. I would like to see Net54ers weigh in on the characteristics distinguishing the real ones from fakes.

[perezfan]

It's a great question, and is definitely an issue that threatens the integrity of that segment of the hobby. I'll just speak for myself here...

I wish I could proudly boast that I can spot a fake press pin at a glance. But it's become quite difficult, as you say. Often there are tell-tale signs that instantly give away many of the lesser fakes. And often there are sellers with integrity who will disclose that the Pin is a reproduction.

But there are many more sellers who never disclose a thing (and in some cases, I bet a good percentage of these sellers don't even know, themselves). The fakes have gotten better, so it's difficult to discern the authenticity from a photo or a computer screen. I'd like to believe that if one had the Pin in-hand, it would be easier to spot any anomalies.

Hopefully that's indeed the case. It sure seems like the act of creating fake press pins would be a major investment in terms of time, effort and money (creating the molds, etc.) Hard to believe it's a lucrative venture, given the small segment of the hobby that it is.

Maybe Al S. can chime in here. He seems to focus more on vintage Pinback Buttons, PM10s, etc. But he's very adept at identifying counterfeit Pins and Reproductions. Perhaps he can share some insights on Press Pins as well.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by perezfan

It sure seems like the act of creating fake press pins would be a major investment in terms of time, effort and money (creating the molds, etc.) Hard to believe it's a lucrative venture, given the small segment of the hobby that it is.

I know, right? For what they go for, sure wouldn't seem to be worth it. If you're that good with jewelry, just make your fortune the old-fashioned way: talent, hustle, some luck. Doesn't seem like you're going to make it hawking a handful of bogus press pins, and it could land you in prison.