Bill Mastro denies widespread fraud in his auctions -- yesterday.

[wheitman]

I wanted to clarify a couple of things I read here. I was not present when Bill Hughes took part in grading the trimmed Wagner for PSA. However, Bill Hughes came to my home both before and after he had graded the card. Shelly was present both times. Before the card was graded, I told Bill that the card had been trimmed and should not be graded. Later, after he informed me that the card had been graded, I asked Bill how a trimmed card could be graded. He told me that the measurements of the card were within the acceptable tolerances. I informed him that the skinnier T206s were all American Beauty backs. His response to me was "well, we had to grade it."

I was present when Shelly called McNall's office. He made the call from my home phone and I was the person who had bet him on whether he would call or not.

I've always wondered why no one has explored the McNall/Hall connection when it came to grading this card in the first place. Bruce McNall had made his "fortune" dealing in rare ancient coins and, of course, David Hall was a long time dealer in coins who founded PCGS for the grading of coins. Incidentally, Bill Hughes told me that his grandparents had acquired loads of coins in their pawn shop and had dealt with David Hall quite often, which is why and how Bill became connected to David Hall and his new company, PSA.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by wheitman

I wanted to clarify a couple of things I read here. I was not present when Bill Hughes took part in grading the trimmed Wagner for PSA. However, Bill Hughes came to my home both before and after he had graded the card. Shelly was present both times. Before the card was graded, I told Bill that the card had been trimmed and should not be graded. Later, after he informed me that the card had been graded, I asked Bill how a trimmed card could be graded. He told me that the measurements of the card were within the acceptable tolerances. I informed him that the skinnier T206s were all American Beauty backs. His response to me was "well, we had to grade it."

I was present when Shelly called McNall's office. He made the call from my home phone and I was the person who had bet him on whether he would call or not.

I've always wondered why no one has explored the McNall/Hall connection when it came to grading this card in the first place. Bruce McNall had made his "fortune" dealing in rare ancient coins and, of course, David Hall was a long time dealer in coins who founded PCGS for the grading of coins. Incidentally, Bill Hughes told me that his grandparents had acquired loads of coins in their pawn shop and had dealt with David Hall quite often, which is why and how Bill became connected to David Hall and his new company, PSA.

No disrespect, but who are you? And are you saying Shelly was with you and not present when the card was graded?

[wheitman]

My apologies. I am the Bill Heitman referred to in Shelly's post. I don't know where Shelly was at the time the card was graded, but I know he was at my home during the two conversations I mentioned with Bill Hughes.

Oh--I am also the author of "T206 The Monster" which is where everyone got the name "The Monster" for the T206 set. That was more than 33 years ago, a time when I was the only collector in America who collected T206 by the backs and series'.

Sorry I didn't introduce myself.

[ScottFandango]

Originally Posted by wheitman

My apologies. I am the Bill Heitman referred to in Shelly's post. I don't know where Shelly was at the time the card was graded, but I know he was at my home during the two conversations I mentioned with Bill Hughes.

Oh--I am also the author of "T206 The Monster" which is where everyone got the name "The Monster" for the T206 set. That was more than 33 years ago, a time when I was the only collector in America who collected T206 by the backs and series'.

Sorry I didn't introduce myself.

thanks for posting here, but this part I don't think ted Z would agree with...

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

No disrespect, but who are you? And are you saying Shelly was with you and not present when the card was graded?

David really? Like a little mustard with your foot sandwich?

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

David really? Like a little mustard with your foot sandwich?

Huh?? Because I never heard of BH or his book? And why the mad face?

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Huh?? Because I never heard of BH or his book? And why the mad face?

When you inhabit a board that is dominated by T206 conversation it's like not knowing the Mona Lisa was painted by DaVinci.

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

When you inhabit a board that is dominated by T206 conversation it's like not knowing the Mona Lisa was painted by DaVinci.

Thank you Dan well said. Like having John Glenn chime in via an Aerospace chat board to be followed by "excuse me who are you, and what's your deal anyway?".....

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

When you inhabit a board that is dominated by T206 conversation it's like not knowing the Mona Lisa was painted by DaVinci.

oh.

[Exhibitman]

Well, not knowing who Bill H. is might not be so surprising except that his name is right next to his post...

Pete: "Heisenberg."

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Huh?? Because I never heard of BH or his book? And why the mad face?

I am sure David is far from the only one, even in this community.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

No disrespect, but who are you? And are you saying Shelly was with you and not present when the card was graded?

At least you weren't responding to 'Archive'.

[Runscott]

Bill, it's good to see you posting, and that was an EXCELLENT one...with no editing!!!

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by Runscott

At least you weren't responding to 'Archive'.

Yeah Scott! "Archive" I hate that mofo! I wont even talk to him!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Yeah Scott! "Archive" I hate that mofo! I wont even talk to him!

Watch what you say in print - 'Archive' might decide to sue YOU.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Watch what you say in print - 'Archive' might decide to sue YOU.

Thank goodness the Bruces straightened out Archive's A$$!

[ullmandds]

Was archive the guy handing out the drink tickets at the net54 dinner at the national?

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Runscott

At least you weren't responding to 'Archive'.

Arch Ives was Burl's brother.

[Cardboard Junkie]

True story....I painted Burl Ives house in Santa Barb. Ca. in 1973, (there was no Vassar girl involved).

[wheitman]

I'd like to thank all of you for the kind words. Bill

[cfc1909]

Originally Posted by wheitman

I'd like to thank all of you for the kind words. Bill

Hi Bill

I would like to talk with you when you have some time. Thanks for posting

stemmers37@yahoo.com

Jim Rivera

[WhenItWasAHobby]

Originally Posted by wheitman

I wanted to clarify a couple of things I read here. I was not present when Bill Hughes took part in grading the trimmed Wagner for PSA. However, Bill Hughes came to my home both before and after he had graded the card. Shelly was present both times. Before the card was graded, I told Bill that the card had been trimmed and should not be graded. Later, after he informed me that the card had been graded, I asked Bill how a trimmed card could be graded. He told me that the measurements of the card were within the acceptable tolerances. I informed him that the skinnier T206s were all American Beauty backs. His response to me was "well, we had to grade it."

I was present when Shelly called McNall's office. He made the call from my home phone and I was the person who had bet him on whether he would call or not.

I've always wondered why no one has explored the McNall/Hall connection when it came to grading this card in the first place. Bruce McNall had made his "fortune" dealing in rare ancient coins and, of course, David Hall was a long time dealer in coins who founded PCGS for the grading of coins. Incidentally, Bill Hughes told me that his grandparents had acquired loads of coins in their pawn shop and had dealt with David Hall quite often, which is why and how Bill became connected to David Hall and his new company, PSA.

Thanks for posting this and welcome aboard. If this is true, then I find PSA's actions extremely disturbing to say the least and the "rendering an opinion" defense seems very feeble at this point.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by WhenItWasAHobby

Thanks for posting this and welcome aboard. If this is true, then I find PSA's actions extremely disturbing to say the least and the "rendering an opinion" defense seems very feeble at this point.

I'm sure Doug Allen is dry cleaning his proffer suit in an effort to unload on PSA in order to save himself. Just a hunch.

[Duluth Eskimo]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I'm sure Doug Allen is dry cleaning his proffer suit in an effort to unload on PSA in order to save himself. Just a hunch.

Jeff,
I have a question for you. If Bill proffered as well as Doug, do we know they fully cooperated and did not make statements that can be proven false? If so, is this something that can be brought to the attention of the presiding AUSA to go back after him? In most of the comments I have read relating to Mastro, it really doesn't appear that he is very remorseful or cooperative with the process.

[wheitman]

Tried to email you, but it would not go through. Email me at wheitman@aol.com

Bill Heitman

[brob28]

Bill, welcome to the forum nice to see you posting. Just wondering if you still have copies of The Monster for sale? I see them on EBay from time to time, but it would be really neat to pick one up from you directly.

[wheitman]

Yes, I do, but not many. Email at address in earlier post.

Bill