Help appreciated determining if this is an original or a copy

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by mcgwirecom

Wouldn't there usually be an MLB hologram numbered sticker on an authentic lineup card?

Not sure they were as careful to have holograms on things back then though don't know.

Originally Posted by packs

If there are no indentations from pen writing on the line up card then it is a copy.

It's really hard to tell through the glass. The writing seems to have been with a fairly soft tipped marker, so not sure how much indentation there would be, and through the glass I can't tell.

If anyone has any other thoughts please let me know. Thanks!

[Mr. Zipper]

There is no way to tell through a scan. You need to take it out of the frame and determine if the ink is "on top" of the card, or part of the card. Given all the writing and ink dots all over the card, it should be really easy to tell in-hand if it is live ink or printed.

[drcy]

I would assume, without a dot matrix pattern (which a copy might have-- look under close magnification), the 'handwriting' ink would be solid throughout in a copy, while in real handwriting will change in ink density/tone throughout.

[Topnotchsy]

Hey all,

Thanks for the responses.

To this point I have been unable to determine if it is a copy or an original through the glass.

My question now is: I have 2 options. I can try to get a refund from the person I bought it from, or I can try and open it and make a better determination but then if it is a copy I will have a much harder time returning it since it will not be in the same condition I purchased it in.

Any advice?

Thanks!

[packs]

Is there something that would keep you from putting the frame back together?

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by packs

Is there something that would keep you from putting the frame back together?

Pretty sure the seller would use that as a reason to not take the item back, though not sure.

[packs]

How would you even be able to tell? All you'd be doing is opening the frame and then closing it. To me that's no different from taking a card out of a screw down and putting it back in, no?

[Topnotchsy]

I compared this to another lineup card that I knew was authentic. I didn't open up the frame so there were some limits but here is what I learned:

1) The markers they use do not make an indentation

2) Some of the markers can be seen through the paper in the real copy (in a copied one I imagine this would not the case)

3) The giveaway for me was interestingly white-out. Many lineup cards have an area that was whited-out. On a copy there are faded sections but obviously the white-out itself does not copy.

Hope people find this helpful.