Babe Ruth $$$

[BobC]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Good points...it certainly seems like more "collectors" have snapped up fro joys recently because they are cheap relatively speaking for their rarity/desirability.

I have a fake sheet I purchased back in college I will examine for x's/crosses when I get a chance.

Agree that if these 2 attributes are smoking guns this should change the whole collecting dynamic of fro joys.

I'm glad I just acquired my last one to complete my set!

I've got one of of those colored reprint sheets myself somewhere. I'm assuming that wouldn't be worth double checking though. But if you've got a black and white reprint sheet, will be interested in what you see when checking it out. However, earlier posters said they already did this, and the reprints don't show these specific traits. Again, just seems too easy of an answer all of a sudden for something that has been debated about for so long.

Maybe one of the reasons these have been so much more affordable compared to other Ruth cards is the questioning of authenticity by many, and lack of all TPGs being willing to authenticate them, especially PSA anymore. Kind of reminds me on how S74 silks are often viewed and valued in relation to T205/T202 cards since PSA will not grade S74 silks.

And Peter, congrats on completing your Fro Joy set.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by BobC

I've got one of of those colored reprint sheets myself somewhere. I'm assuming that wouldn't be worth double checking though. But if you've got a black and white reprint sheet, will be interested in what you see when checking it out. However, earlier posters said they already did this, and the reprints don't show these specific traits. Again, just seems too easy of an answer all of a sudden for something that has been debated about for so long.

Maybe one of the reasons these have been so much more affordable compared to other Ruth cards is the questioning of authenticity by many, and lack of all TPGs being willing to authenticate them, especially PSA anymore. Kind of reminds me on how S74 silks are often viewed and valued in relation to T205/T202 cards since PSA will not grade S74 silks.

And Peter, congrats on completing your Fro Joy set.

I agree with all you've said here...the sheet I was ripped off on is a b/w albeit funky colored sheet compared to authentic ones...not a colorized one. But the borders are dotted lines which are not associated with authentic copies.

[SteveS]

I can't say for sure that a Fro Joy with crosses on the front and a closed box on the back is authentic. But I feel pretty confident that if one or both of those features are missing, then it's a replica. I looked at a ton of #1s online (because that's the one I have), and I have yet to see a confirmed authentic not have both features, or a replica have both. I posted above what I found with the other numbers in the set. I don't know what BVG looks for when grading, or why the other TPGs won't touch it. If the crosses/closed box theory holds true, buy your Fro Joys now before the fakers learn to start replicating those features.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by SteveS

I can't say for sure that a Fro Joy with crosses on the front and a closed box on the back is authentic. But I feel pretty confident that if one or both of those features are missing, then it's a replica. I looked at a ton of #1s online (because that's the one I have), and I have yet to see a confirmed authentic not have both features, or a replica have both. I posted above what I found with the other numbers in the set. I don't know what SGC looks for when grading, or why the other TPGs won't touch it. If the crosses/closed box theory holds true, buy your Fro Joys now before the fakers learn to start replicating those features.

+1

[BabyRuth]

I always liked ice cream.........

[ullmandds]

nice set jim!

[BabyRuth]

Thanks Pete.