Has anybody done this to guard against buying forgeries?

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

As I begin to buy pre-war and vintage baseball cards, I'm still concerned going forward about the possibility that the cards I buy could be fakes. We know that PSA and SGC slabs can be cracked, and I've even seen discussions about PSA slabs being duplicated by thiefs. With the advances in printer technology, it's easy for these criminals to take advantage of collectors who are new in these eras of cards. And until these TPGs make it so their slabs cannot be cracked, there always exists a possibility that we're being ripped off.

Now, I know I can ask for opinions from members here, and I will take full advantage of that. If I get a card, and have any concerns about it, I will scan it, and rely on the expertise on you fine folks. But I don't want to pester you guys every time I make a buy.

So, here's what I've been thinking about doing. If I'm looking to buy a Walter Johnson T206 portrait (purely as an example), would it not be prudent for me to buy a T206 common, and keep it in my collection? I mean some common that nobody in their right mind would consider forging. Something I could compare to which ever card I buy? Under magnification, I would think that a faked card would be easily discernible, no?

Do any of you guys do this? I'd think it would be worth it for me to get a common T206, as the paper, the inking technology would be uniform from one card to another, regardless of value.

If I want to buy a nice 1952 Topps, I could add a common to my collection, and use that as my control, so to speak.

Comments??

A good plan. Now if we could just get the TPG companies to implement exploding card holders we'd be off to the races!!! Now THAT'S what I would call "Tamper-evident"!

[Paul S]

Can you ever see the PSA registry people crossing over to BVG?

[baker85]

if it is slabbed. buy it. stop being so paranoid. it is what the holder says it is.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by baker85

if it is slabbed. buy it. stop being so paranoid. it is what the holder says it is.

I hope this was a sarcastic remark?

[baker85]

if your that paranoid, you should not collect sports memorabilia. my remark was not sarcastic. it was literal. if its slabbed, thats good enough for me. im not dumping hundreds of dollars on a card, so who is going to fake a psa 2 or 3 anyway.

[glchen]

I think as others have said, it is always useful to buy raw commons from that set, so that you can familiarize yourself with the paper, etc of that set. You will be able to discern between many of the reprints and forgeries out there. However, it's not foolproof as the sportscollector thread showed in that it will still be very difficult to determine alterations on the cards without going to a TPG. The problem with going to a reputed dealer is that there are very few who list their inventory at VCP. You will need to determine if you would be willing to pay the additional premium for that additional eye check and peace of mind.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by glchen

The problem with going to a reputed dealer is that there are very few who list their inventory at VCP. You will need to determine if you would be willing to pay the additional premium for that additional eye check and peace of mind.

Isn't that what slabbing is supposed to be?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by baker85

if your that paranoid, you should not collect sports memorabilia. my remark was not sarcastic. it was literal. if its slabbed, thats good enough for me. im not dumping hundreds of dollars on a card, so who is going to fake a psa 2 or 3 anyway.

OK, thanks for the clarification. Since anything I say after that response will not be nice I will just say...Happy collecting!!

[brob28]

Originally Posted by Leon

OK, thanks for the clarification. Since anything I say after that response will not be nice I will just say...Happy collecting!!

And that my friends, is a wonderful example of diplomacy.