Real or Fake?! Mathewson & McGraw (If You Have a Heart Then Help PLEASE)

[Leon]

I just spoke with Colby on the phone. He is just a bit overwhelmed with our s/w but is a super nice guy. He really is. He collects mostly 50s stuff and got these from a house that was almost like a barn. He just told me the people had a cow in their living room. Now that's hard to beat!!

[GoldenAge50s]

Was the cow real?

[Sean]

Yeah, I wish he would post a picture of the cow in the living room.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Sean

Yeah, I wish he would post a picture of the cow in the living room.

It sounds like sitcom material.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Yup! Cards look good........Now bring on the cow!! I too would like to see a picture.

[Tanman7baseball]

Hello everyone who has commented,

First, I do not have any intentions to try waste anyones time viewing this post. I have been collecting since I was a kid. My baseball cards and memorabilia was funded by my grandpa. When he died in 2004 I stopped collecting cards, because being 13 years old made it a little hard to afford it. It sucked taking 8 and a half years off from collecting but I had no choice with no money.

Now I have a job, I can finally collect again! I am still in college at Oklahoma State University and I have been lucky enough to meet some pretty amazing people that have cards. Over the last few months I have bought multiple lots of cards from people that are on the verge of kicking the bucket. Needless to say I have bought hundreds of cards from the 50s and 60s. These cards just happen to be the only cards I am interested and comfortable in collecting.

Yesterday, I bought two sets (1959 Topps & 1954 Bowman) and t206 cards from an old woman. Her father and grandfather collected cards. They died 5 years ago, abandoning their lifetime worth of colectibles. The house/barn has been vacant since the father died. It was on a large plot of land just open to the environmental forces. When we arrived a cow was literally in the living room... From there you guys know what I found.

The reason I post such threads about authenticity, because when I was young and fueled by funds from my grandpa I got scammed. I bought a Mickey Mantle autograph baseball for my grandpa's birthday. He died 3 months later of cancer. About 6 motnhs later I went to get it authenticated by PSA. Needless to say, it came back fake and broke my heart.

Since then, I have always been so skeptible of everything that I buy. I know there is a ocean of information to be had about t206 cards. Quite frankly it is an overwhelming nightmare. I don't know where to start. The best option to come to mind was ask collectors like you who have been buying cards like this for longer than I have lived. I asked you guys the question of its authenticity, because I just don't know. I thought it was too good to be true. I am asking why it is real, because I just want to know what to look for. I really didn't know why I would be questioned for wondering why something is real? I am merely just trying to learn from people who actually know what their talking about and care enough to help me.

Thank you,

Colby

[Sean]

Just out of curiosity, how much did you pay for the T206s. It sounds like you should have gotten a good deal.

[Tanman7baseball]

I do not want to get heated about anything said here. I simple just wanted to get opinions from you older fellows. I'm 22 and just would like to learn from some of the best old guys in the business. Best way to learn is from experience. I went to Net54Baseball because I respect the unmatched knowledge about the hobby. I trust my judgement on cards, but I trust the collectors/dealers on here much more. All because of one thing, EXPERIENCE.

It just makes me kind of angry people think I am some lazy person who just doesn't want to do research and make someone else do it. I really don't know why it has gotten to me this much, but for everyone who is just messing with me to give me a hard time I say, "Touché'".

[Bpm0014]

If someone would post a picture of a reprint and a genuine one, it would be much easier to point out the differences. An easy difference is that the ink on reprints are usually black. In genuine ones they are brown. Also, the name and team on both are in differnet script. The genuines also have a distinct border around the picture border which separates them from the white border. Also, the colors are much more vibrant on a real one. Not to mention, the dot patterns under a magnifying glass or loupe. It's relatively easy once you see them side by side. I hope that helps!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Bpm0014

If someone would post a picture of a reprint and a genuine one, it would be much easier to point out the differences. An easy difference is that the ink on reprints are usually black. In genuine ones they are brown. Also, the name and team on both are in differnet script. The genuines also have a distinct border around the picture border which separates them from the white border. Also, the colors are much more vibrant on a real one. Not to mention, the dot patterns under a magnifying glass or loupe. It's relatively easy once you see them side by side. I hope that helps!

I don't get it - it is 2013. 'Google' is something that everyone really needs to get familiar with - that and ebay searches.

It's really simple: 't206 mathewson reprint' and 't206 mathewson'.

[Bpm0014]

Disagree totally. The guy wanted an opinion/advice/help. Where better to go than here? If I have a question, I'm coming here first, no using Google...

[ullmandds]

While I don't have any issue with the post in general...I kinda agree with Scott! Google it...use the archives...the info is all there for 99% of anyones' questions...you just have to put forth a little eancy...weensy bit of effort!!!

Society has become sooooooo lazy and accustomed to instant gratification...in general!!!!!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Bpm0014

Disagree totally. The guy wanted an opinion/advice/help. Where better to go than here? If I have a question, I'm coming here first, no using Google...

Seriously? You come here to ask ALL questions and never use Google?

You really should try Google - it will save you a lot of time with the simpler stuff. Also, while the detail you posted is good, if you do not 'know' T206's, the ONLY way to learn is to buy cheap beaters and study them.

I could create a reprint in about 30 minutes that fits all of your criteria for being 'real', except of course, EVEN the part about the loupe.

[Paul S]

Colby, There are some collectors who sometimes get very excited about the stamp (and writing) on the back of a card, such as your portrait. Probably sounds nuts to you if you're just getting into this, but true. No wonder this is all seems overwheming.

[Tanman7baseball]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I don't get it - it is 2013. 'Google' is something that everyone really needs to get familiar with - that and ebay searches.

It's really simple: 't206 mathewson reprint' and 't206 mathewson'.

To all the people wondering why I didn't use Google.

First, I did use Google. I bought the cards yesterday and read for hours. I compared hundreds of images. What I don't understand why all you find it so surprising I asked a question about authenticity.

Forgive me I did not have a REAL t206 in the back of the closet. I want to go buy one sometime this week when I have time. The thing is the nearest card shop is 2 hours away.

Yes society and the younger generation is part of an instant gratification era, but do not group me in such group. I am a financial analysts. I find information for a living. What Google advised me to do was too basic and the tools I needed (black light & REAL t206 card) I did not have... The next best thing Google advised me to do was ask collectors who have been handling cards like these for decades.

If you have a problem with me posting this thread then contact Google and tell them to organize their hundreds of pages information about t206. Perhaps you can help them go through each one and find out which site is legitimate. From there you should help them rank it from best to worst. The thing is Google's key word recognition is how google ranks the sites. This does not mean they are the "best" site for what you are looking for. Hence, why I am here asking collector's that have knowledge about these cards that far surpass mine.

Lastly, no one forced you to read this thread. Nor did I ask you to critic me on my methods of finding knowledge about t206 cards...

Thank you,

Colby Tan

[ullmandds]

Welcome Colby...unfortunately I DID have to read this thread...I have to read almost all of them...I know...it's a problem...but I AM aware!!!!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Tanman7baseball

To all the people wondering why I didn't use Google.

First, I did use Google. I bought the cards yesterday and read for hours. I compared hundreds of images. What I don't understand why all you find it so surprising I asked a question about authenticity.

Forgive me I did not have a REAL t206 in the back of the closet. I want to go buy one sometime this week when I have time. The thing is the nearest card shop is 2 hours away.

Yes society and the younger generation is part of an instant gratification era, but do not group me in such group. I am a financial analysts. I find information for a living. What Google advised me to do was too basic and the tools I needed (black light & REAL t206 card) I did not have... The next best thing Google advised me to do was ask collectors who have been handling cards like these for decades.

If you have a problem with me posting this thread then contact Google and tell them to organize their hundreds of pages information about t206. Perhaps you can help them go through each one and find out which site is legitimate. From there you should help them rank it from best to worst. The thing is Google's key word recognition is how google ranks the sites. This does not mean they are the "best" site for what you are looking for. Hence, why I am here asking collector's that have knowledge about these cards that far surpass mine.

Lastly, no one forced you to read this thread. Nor did I ask you to critic me on my methods of finding knowledge about t206 cards...

Thank you,

Colby Tan

Colby - it's a discussion board. If you don't like it, go somewhere where you know that everyone will respond exactly as you would like them to.

But in keeping with the spirit of your post, and your demand - I ONLY read the first sentence and last sentence. That was enough to tell me that the stuff in-between was probably just bitching.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Leon

I just spoke with Colby on the phone. He is just a bit overwhelmed with our s/w but is a super nice guy. He really is. He collects mostly 50s stuff and got these from a house that was almost like a barn. He just told me the people had a cow in their living room. Now that's hard to beat!!

I would like to see pictures.