Ruth Postcard pick-up

[bcbgcbrcb]

I saw it as soon as it was listed and placed a minimum .99 bid and watched it. I am also under the assumption that it is fake.

[JoeyF1981]

I emailed probstein and he's telling me "based on the source it came from it should be good"..dont really know what to make of that

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by JoeyF1981

I emailed probstein and he's telling me "based on the source it came from it should be good"..dont really know what to make of that

Is it Barry Halper?

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by gnaz01

Is it Barry Halper?

lol...probably

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by JoeyF1981

I emailed probstein and he's telling me "based on the source it came from it should be good"..dont really know what to make of that

The good news is that Probstein is will stand behind it if it's determined not to be authentic. However, I would send it in for grading as soon as you get so as not to delay the refund period.

[Greenmonster]

I email Seller the day it was posted, questioning the authenticity, and never heard back.

[JoeyF1981]

I did a search and i cant find that exact image of ruth

[Runscott]

I have owned two Ruth RPPC's (not the same image as yours) with period-legit backs, that were both fakes. Both were good enough to fool another knowledgeable collector and to almost fool me, but I sent them to an auctioneer who handles such things regularly, and he said "they do not look right" and sent them back to me. Now I own enough examples of each back that I could spot these fakes quickly by comparing to real ones, but if all you have is the fake, it can be tough.

Hope yours is real.

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I have owned two Ruth RPPC's (not the same image as yours) with period-legit backs, that were both fakes. Both were good enough to fool another knowledgeable collector and to almost fool me, but I sent them to an auctioneer who handles such things regularly, and he said "they do not look right" and sent them back to me. Now I own enough examples of each back that I could spot these fakes quickly by comparing to real ones, but if all you have is the fake, it can be tough.

Hope yours is real.

How did they determine they were fakes?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by JoeyF1981

How did they determine they were fakes?

As Adam pointed out, the main thing is image clarity.

I thought they were fakes because they just didn't look right. You develop that sense after looking at lots of real examples (same with cards, photos, etc.) - if these fakes were the first you saw, you would probably be fooled. The person who I sent them to had the same reaction. Whoever created these used real photos for the fronts, and created the backs using a method that was similar to how the real ones were created (or at least, achieved similar results), but the quality wasn't quite as good.

By the way - I do NOT have these in my collection, nor do I have any other fake postcards. I sent these back to the guy I got them from. He was certain that they were real, so I guess someone eventually got screwed.

[smtjoy]

Well Probstein offers a 14 day return, if it was me I would return it asap.

Humm suspicious looking early Ruth PC that does not look right and having a consignment house sell it .........run

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by smtjoy

Well Probstein offers a 14 day return, if it was me I would return it asap.

Humm suspicious looking early Ruth PC that does not look right and having a consignment house sell it .........run

I actually just got off the phone with him. He stated the seller was reputable but he understands my concerns. He was actually looking at it when I was on the phone with him and he said he wasnt sure. I asked him for a refund and he had no problem with it. Im definitely bummed out. I was really looking forward to adding it to my collection but like you all of you said theres too many red flags

[bcbgcbrcb]

An authentic mid-1910's Ruth postcard like that would bring $15K - $25K these days so one that sells on e-bay for a few hundred dollars, almost guaranteed to be bad..........

[Jaybird]

Sorry Joey, but I think you did the right thing. The fact that Probstein or anyone else says that it came from a reputable source means nothing. As Scott said, he's got some fakes in his collection. If he were to pass his collection on and the person selling his collection didn't know, those could come into the market as the real deal. The collection isn't the issue, the auction house should do it's own diligence to figure out what they are selling. I understand that they can't know everything which is why they have a refund policy.

I think you need to look at the totality of the story here as well. When i'm looking at postcards, if I see a Ruth or a Negro League subject, I look even closer than I would if it was just a random town team. Think about whether there is incentive to deceive. In the case of Ruth, he has to be the subject of the most fake items in our hobby. So, when I see a Ruth item, I treat it with suspicion and until I can quiet my own mind about those suspicions, I do not pursue.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Jaybird

Sorry Joey, but I think you did the right thing.

I disagree, but let me explain why. Let me preface this by saying I know nothing about post cards from any era. However, I do know that it comes with a 14 day return policy and the seller is quite reputable. If I were Joey, I would complete the transaction if Probstein is willing to extend the return policy until its authenticity can be determined - have enough time to send it to SGC and back. It it's real, he hits a nice payday. If it's fake, he returns it for a refund and is only out a few dollars for grading and shipping. That's what I would do. Then again, I'm a gambler.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

I disagree, but let me explain why. Let me preface this by saying I know nothing about post cards from any era. However, I do know that it comes with a 14 day return policy and the seller is quite reputable. If I were Joey, I would complete the transaction if Probstein is willing to extend the return policy until its authenticity can be determined - have enough time to send it to SGC and back. It it's real, he hits a nice payday. If it's fake, he returns it for a refund and is only out a few dollars for grading and shipping. That's what I would do. Then again, I'm a gambler.

He did the right thing. You would have lost this bet. As said, I have hundreds of exemplars.....none look like that.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Jaybird

As Scott said, he's got some fakes in his collection. If he were to pass his collection on and the person selling his collection didn't know, those could come into the market as the real deal.

Hope you are referring to a different 'Scott' - I have no fake postcards in my collection.

But there are plenty of collectors trying to dispose of fakes by sending large collections to auction houses, and not disclosing all the facts. I've gotten bitten by magazines missing pages, valuable sports guides missing LOTS of photos, etc., etc. In all cases the auction house acted stunned - obviously, no due diligence checking the items; however, the seller should also have his ass kicked if he lied about quality.

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Hope you are referring to a different 'Scott' - I have no fake postcards in my collection.

But there are plenty of collectors trying to dispose of fakes by sending large collections to auction houses, and not disclosing all the facts. I've gotten bitten by magazines missing pages, valuable sports guides missing LOTS of photos, etc., etc. In all cases the auction house acted stunned - obviously, no due diligence checking the items; however, the seller should also have his ass kicked if he lied about quality.

Scott, no offense meant. I must have misread your earlier post. I thought you said you had a few as examples. My mistake. Many collectors keep examples of fakes in their collections for just that reason, to have an example. No aspersions meant nor cast by my statement.

[joeadcock]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

An authentic mid-1910's Ruth postcard like that would bring $15K - $25K these days so one that sells on e-bay for a few hundred dollars, almost guaranteed to be bad..........

Phil, you mentioned the high price on mid 1910's Ruth RPPC's.

What are Ruth RPPC's going for from the 1920-1929 years?