Thoughts on this Babe Ruth please

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by toyman55

First to address Richard, I did not show the other's because the Ruth was what I found interesting. With all due respect to everyone here including Richard Simon, Jim Stinson, Shelly and many others I want to make it clear I do not play games. Well I do in that I have been collecting mostly baseball board games and Bagatelle games for the past 15 years with the inspiration on Mark Cooper. I dabbled in autographs making a whole lot of very expensive mistakes. Recently I have started to sell off my games because at 64 years of age I need to downsize.
I come to this site every day, read the posts and try to participate. I am not in any of your league as far as determining real from forgery's. so Mr. Williams I will tell you I see so many of you in petty little disagreements as well as sniveling insults which I find childish.
But we are here because if we collect baseball cards, games, photos, pennants, buttons and autographs it is because we have retained that one special part of being young; which is being a kid.
I promise from now on to post the whole picture the listing so long as you all welcome me and allow me to play and observe what you all do so well. I have four passions in my life, My wife, my kids, my Queensland Heeler and my Dodgers. I am a Fan of all of you and respect your opinions and hope some day to get yours.
Have a great night,
Shale Levine.

Shale , well stated and (I thought) quite diplomatic , The point that maybe was trying to be made.... is its difficult sometimes to gauge an item's authenticity simply on what one isolated signature looks like. As I have mentioned before what the autograph "looks like" itself SHOULD be the first and ultimately last factor in determining if its genuine. There are other elements in between, dozens of them. Usually the sellers track record, because good sellers have a reputation for due diligence. Like Shelly said in this thread there are ALOT of opinions ALWAYS , some carry more weight than others. Your question was ultimately answered in what the item sold for , $2,000-$3,000 autographs (that are genuine) do not sell for $150.00.
I am not saying that its impossible to occasionally stumble onto an autograph BARGAIN it happens but take it from me these days even to an expert eye with a gargantuan work ethic they are few and far between. So while everyone would like to have a Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig autograph in their collection perhaps its best to start slow. Have fun with it !
Learn as you go, Use the opinions you feel are valid and discard the rest.
The best thing you have going for you is there are FAR more well intentioned, knowledgable, helpful & good people in this hobby than bad ones.
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jim@stinsonsports.com