What's the real deal with these Cuban cards?

[ElCabron]

Originally Posted by Leon

I have as much or more confidence it is good as any other graded card in the hobby.

You might need to re-evaluate your position about graded cards then because those are absolutely 100% fake. I've held them in my hands. FAKE. Zero doubt. I told the "gentleman" that when he showed them to me in Puerto Rico. The fact that he still tried (and succeeded) to get them graded speaks to his character, but also speaks to Beckett not doing their homework. SGC or PSA would never have graded those. Both of those companies have contacted me on multiple occasions when they've received Cuban cards they are unsure about. Beckett never has. The fact that fake cards are in holders is on Beckett.

-Ryan

[mannybb24]

Thanks for backing my story up my brother, I appreciate it!

[aljurgela]

Originally Posted by mannybb24

Thanks for backing my story up my brother, I appreciate it!

Anyone who has touched hundreds of these cards know that the Mendez is fake. Zero doubt. I have never seen a fake Cuban card in an SGC or PSA HOLDER... I have seen a bunch where I disagree with the grades and a couple of "short" Aguilitas that were given grades by PSA that should have gotten Authentics, but yet to see an outright fake in a holder. Beckett also used to slab Tomas Gutierrez cards that were cut from the album, not sure if they still do, but watch out for those...

Fundamentally the cards discussed in this thread look and fell a lot better than that Mendez that was in Baltimore... It is the back, the dating, the stats and the pictures that are most problematic to me.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by aljurgela

Anyone who has touched hundreds of these cards know that the Mendez is fake. Zero doubt. I have never seen a fake Cuban card in an SGC or PSA HOLDER... I have seen a bunch where I disagree with the grades and a couple of "short" Aguilitas that were given grades by PSA that should have gotten Authentics, but yet to see an outright fake in a holder. Beckett also used to slab Tomas Gutierrez cards that were cut from the album, not sure if they still do, but watch out for those...

Fundamentally the cards discussed in this thread look and fell a lot better than that Mendez that was in Baltimore... It is the back, the dating, the stats and the pictures that are most problematic to me.

I am sure all of us that don't collect Cuban cards are appreciative of knowing the BVG card is fake.. How about actually helping and let us know why it was fake? Or maybe it's a secret? In the scan all that sticks out are the artificially looking aged corners.

[aljurgela]

Sine of the things that I (think that) I recall were the photo was kind of pasted onto a frame a la the punches instead if integrated into a a seemless card (punches are the only ones pasted onto a piece of paper)..,The coloring was not "black enough" .. The photo was "over processed". From what I recall even the back was wrong (color or font)... Steve and / or Ryan can probably correct any of my assertions here, but it has been a few years since I saw that card.

These cards on auction "look real" and if you read the post in Spanish the expert in Cuban comes to the conclusion based on the silver shining present at an angle that are common on a few of the Cuban issues from the 1920s... Something that the Mendez in Baltimore clearly did not have

Not sure if that helps Leon.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by aljurgela

Sine of the things that I (think that) I recall were the photo was kind of pasted onto a frame a la the punches instead if integrated into a a seemless card (punches are the only ones pasted onto a piece of paper)..,The coloring was not "black enough" .. The photo was "over processed". From what I recall even the back was wrong (color or font)... Steve and / or Ryan can probably correct any of my assertions here, but it has been a few years since I saw that card.

These cards on auction "look real" and if you read the post in Spanish the expert in Cuban comes to the conclusion based on the silver shining present at an angle that are common on a few of the Cuban issues from the 1920s... Something that the Mendez in Baltimore clearly did not have

Not sure if that helps Leon.

Thanks Al, It helped a lot. It is the same process I go through when looking at American cards which I know well. Much appreciated.

[nolemmings]

Thanks Al (Ryan, Steve and others) for sharing what to look for in these. As a type collector who would love to land a few, it's good to know from those in the know how to be better-informed buyers. BTW, your SGC registry sets are fantastic. Hope you don't mind, but I downloaded all the Billiken scans for my virtual collection, which is as close as I will come to actually owning the set. I see where Cesar's site says the cards can be found with La Moda backs--with what frequency are these encountered, if I may ask?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ElCabron

You might need to re-evaluate your position about graded cards then because those are absolutely 100% fake. I've held them in my hands. FAKE. Zero doubt. I told the "gentleman" that when he showed them to me in Puerto Rico. The fact that he still tried (and succeeded) to get them graded speaks to his character, but also speaks to Beckett not doing their homework. SGC or PSA would never have graded those. Both of those companies have contacted me on multiple occasions when they've received Cuban cards they are unsure about. Beckett never has. The fact that fake cards are in holders is on Beckett.

-Ryan

They are human and if it was fake then they blew it. Why is the one in the Beckett holder fake, anyway? Might as well learn a little...

[ElCabron]

Originally Posted by Leon

They are human and if it was fake then they blew it.

Very human. Very fake. They blew it. No "if." I think you know me well enough, Leon, to know that I would not speak with such conviction unless I was absolutely certain.

-Ryan