auto racing cards

[Bored5000]

Peter, if you do go after a 1992 Traks Earnhardt/Petty card, save yourself a headache and go with a graded copy. That card is notorious for phony autographs. Many of the cards made it to the public unautographed and have become a forger's paradise in recent years. Both Petty and Earnhardt have pretty distinctive signatures, so the fakes are usually pretty easy to detect. But I have steered away from that card because I am not really an autograph guy and that card has been the subject of rampant forgeries. Be very careful.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

Peter, if you do go after a 1992 Traks Earnhardt/Petty card, save yourself a headache and go with a graded copy. That card is notorious for phony autographs. Many of the cards made it to the public unautographed and have become a forger's paradise in recent years. Both Petty and Earnhardt have pretty distinctive signatures, so the fakes are usually pretty easy to detect. But I have steered away from that card because I am not really an autograph guy and that card has been the subject of rampant forgeries. Be very careful.

Who would you trust more in terms of authenticity, Beckett or PSA?

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Who would you trust more in terms of authenticity, Beckett or PSA?

I think either one would be ok. I am far from an expert when it comes to detecting forged autographs, but some of the Petty/Earnhardt fakes are so bad that it is very obvious they are not legit. There is definitely a wariness among collectors when it comes to that specific card because it is known to have many examples make it into the public unsigned.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

I think either one would be ok. I am far from as expert when it comes to detecting forged autographs, but some of the Petty/Earnhardt fakes are so bad that it very obvious they are not legit. There is definitely a wariness among collectors when it comes to that specific card because it is known to have many examples make it into the public unsigned.

Thanks. I suppose in that case there is also the issue of real ones signed later and not factory issued. I believe that is a problem with the 1993 Hoops Magic/Bird autos.

[NiceDocter]

That Jeff Gordon card looks like he’s about 13 years old!!!!!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by NiceDocter

That Jeff Gordon card looks like he’s about 13 years old!!!!!

Actually, he was 16. Or 15 depending on when during the year it was issued.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by NiceDocter

That Jeff Gordon card looks like he’s about 13 years old!!!!!

Gordon actually did start racing full size Sprint Cars at age 13. That was the reason his family relocated from California to Indiana.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Thanks. I suppose in that case there is also the issue of real ones signed later and not factory issued. I believe that is a problem with the 1993 Hoops Magic/Bird autos.

That is another great point. Both Petty and Earnhardt were very accessible and would sign anything for fans.

[brian1961]

I've enjoyed reading about your passion for auto racing cards, guys. Though I don't collect racing cards, preferring the 1/43rd scale model racing cars (a pursuit that caught my fancy 3 years prior to my interest in baseball cards the spring of 1961), I respect your deep interest and love for motorsport.

You bring up a hallmark of most racing drivers---they respect and are kind to their fans. Same with hockey players.

Anyways, keep having fun, mates! --- Brian Powell

[Bored5000]

Another point about cards being legit signed after the fact: From what I read on the various Facebook F1 card groups, Lewis Hamilton is all but impossible to get on a card these days, and Max Verstappen is almost as tough. But everyone else on the grid willingly signs Topps cards. Lando Norris has even commented how much he likes signing cards. It just seems weird to me that an on card autograph will sell for a fraction of the Topps stickered autographs.

On one of the NASCAR radio podcasts that I linked to above, the hosts talked about the process Richard Petty goes through to this day when it comes to TTM autographs. Petty usually shows up at least once a week at his museum and museum volunteers lay out everything he recently received in the mail on several tables for him to autograph. He then goes down the line with several different colored Sharpies in hand.

When the item is something different or something Petty has not seen before, he will usually stop and write a short note on the item.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

I think either one would be ok. I am far from an expert when it comes to detecting forged autographs, but some of the Petty/Earnhardt fakes are so bad that it is very obvious they are not legit. There is definitely a wariness among collectors when it comes to that specific card because it is known to have many examples make it into the public unsigned.

Any thoughts on this one? I never understand why on some of these there is a grade for the card but not the auto, and some vice versa, and some both, is it a question of how much someone is willing to pay to get it graded?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18540420271...UAAOSwvZZiadey

Might just go for it lol, not many PSA graded and I prefer that to Beckett.

[gonefishin]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Any thoughts on this one? I never understand why on some of these there is a grade for the card but not the auto, and some vice versa, and some both, is it a question of how much someone is willing to pay to get it graded?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18540420271...UAAOSwvZZiadey

I'll take a shot at answering some of your question.

This applies to autographed cards certified from the company; Topps, Panini, etc. With SGC when they grade an autographed card, they will also grade the autograph if it is in mint or above (I think that's what I was told) at no charge and note the grade for both on the label. With PSA they will also grade the company issued autographed card but charge a fee. The PSA label will reflect both grades, regardless of the numeric value assigned.

If the card has been privately obtained, PSA will charge you an autograph authentication fee - if it passes - it would then be graded (which you would be charged) - and then the card would be graded (which you would be charged). The label would then reflect both the autograph grade and the card grade. Beckett is comparable to PSA. I don't know how SGC does it.

Confusing to say the least. Hope it helps and someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

I'll take a shot at answering some of your question.

This applies to autographed cards certified from the company; Topps, Panini, etc. With SGC when they grade an autographed card, they will also grade the autograph if it is in mint or above (I think that's what I was told) at no charge and note the grade for both on the label. With PSA they will also grade the company issued autographed card but charge a fee. The PSA label will reflect both grades, regardless of the numeric value assigned.

If the card has been privately obtained, PSA will charge you an autograph authentication fee - if it passes - it would then be graded (which you would be charged) - and then the card would be graded (which you would be charged). The label would then reflect both the autograph grade and the card grade. Beckett is comparable to PSA. I don't know how SGC does it.

Confusing to say the least. Hope it helps and someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

The linked card, I am pretty sure, is a factory issued auto card, but the label only calls the autos authentic and does not assign a grade. There are lots of PSA graded factory cards like this. I think the submitter can ask for the autos to be graded for an additional charge. For a later signed non factory auto, the card itself won't get a number grade because it wasn't issued in its current form.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Any thoughts on this one? I never understand why on some of these there is a grade for the card but not the auto, and some vice versa, and some both, is it a question of how much someone is willing to pay to get it graded?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18540420271...UAAOSwvZZiadey

Might just go for it lol, not many PSA graded and I prefer that to Beckett.

Peter, that card looks good. The price looks high, but it could be a while until a PSA graded one shows up at auction.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

Peter, that card looks good. The price looks high, but it could be a while until a PSA graded one shows up at auction.

Thank you. Yeah, it is a tad high. I'll think on it.

[Peter_Spaeth]

SADA Fangio. Eddie, is it 56 or 58 do you know?