help with Negro League/Pitts Crawfords photo

[packs]

It has that fuzzy look of a reproduction. An original print would be sharp.

[Brian]

Thanks, guys, and that is what I feared.
I thought the fuzziness might have resulted from blowing up a smaller photo.
For example, if you take a look at the original type I photo that sold at REA,

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/.../#&gid=1&pid=2

you will see that this REA photo is also quite fuzzy.

Unfortunately, I cannot scan the photo (I got the scan from the seller) as my scanner is not working.
I had my doubts about it but did not pay a huge amount. Still, disappointing to hear of all the fakes out there.

[packs]

The REA photo isn't fuzzy to me, maybe just a little worn. If you enlarge the photo the player's faces are all very clear and crisp. That's what I look for when I'm trying to figure out if a photo is original or not.

[Brian]

Well, maybe 'fuzzy' was the wrong term, but the REA photo does seem a bit washed out and a little out of focus, which is why I wondered about the original negative off of which both that photo and mine were based.

In any case, whoever made the photo in question definitely used old paper, 40s-50s era based on comparisons with the many other photos I have from that period and earlier (and later). It is definitely a bit 'fuzzier' than the REA photo, without a doubt.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Another thing to look for, most of these fakes have spider veins in the upper portion of the photo background, quite visible when you hold it up to a light. Does yours have these?

[Brian]

Phil, it has some creasing near the top but nothing really extensive. What about those fakes explains the spider veins? Do you have any links to fakes that have been sold recently--it might help me and others for future reference.

On a side note, I may send the photo back, although it looks very nice in person--like a big baseball card with Josh Gibson, Satchel, and others. Kinda sad to send it back...

[bcbgcbrcb]

Brian:

The spider veins can be seen as creases, one and the same. Over the years when I was actively searching e-bay every day for Negro League items, I probably posted a dozen or more fakes on Net 54 as I spotted them as to avoid other Net 54 members making the mistake of buying and thinking they were legitimate. It happened to me when I first started collecting Negro League photos in 2006 and I learned my lesson the hard way. The seller disappeared from e-bay and I had to eat a $400 loss.

As far as wanting to keep the item, you should collect whatever you enjoy so if it makes you happy to have it, why not?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Here is a link to an original one of these team photos, currently running in Hake's Americana & Collectibles' Auction:

https://www.hakes.com/Auction/ItemDe...N-BELL-JOHNSON

[Brian]

I listened to a bunch of you (and my instincts) and returned this photo to the seller.
Ironically, it has now resurfaced on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-193...wAAOSws2dahd63

I guess I should alert the seller as to my concerns?

Not trying to 'out' an auction, but I don't want anyone else making a mistake.
Brian