Ruth Postcard pick-up

[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.

[pete zouras]

with a blank back in the mid aughts. I paid $70, posted on this board about it, and after several replies that it was a repro from the 70s listed on ebay and felt lucky to get $20. Lesson learned.

[Exhibitman]

Here is a Cyko-backed PC from 1910 that is 100% legit. Look at the difference in back printing and image clarity.



To my eye yours is a 2nd generation image and a stamped back.

[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?