How many fake autographs out there?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

I was just reading the book “baseball hall of fame autographs” by Ron Keurajian and did I read correctly that it’s estimated that 90% of all HOF autographs in existence are forged! (Including those with a TPA) yikes!

I would guess the percentage is similar to high end vintage cards being altered included the ones in slabs. So yes a very high percentage.

[sreader3]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I would guess the percentage is similar to high end vintage cards being altered included the ones in slabs. So yes a very high percentage.

Interested to know the basis for that comment. As someone who has collected thousands of MLB autos in person and through the mail I think the idea that the aggregate forged % for MLB autos is above say 10 or 15% is just wrong. If you are talking specific high value players like Ruth or Mantle or Clemente then of course the % is high. But nobody is forging Mick Kelleher or Marc Sullivan or Garth Iorg.*

*I should say almost nobody. There is at least one guy who is happy to forge any common player for a buck. eBay seems fine with that. And the feds have shown no interest yet.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by sreader3

Interested to know the basis for that comment. As someone who has collected thousands of MLB autos in person and through the mail I think the idea that the aggregate forged % for MLB autos is above say 10 or 15% is just wrong. If you are talking specific high value players like Ruth or Mantle or Clemente then of course the % is high. But nobody is forging Mick Kelleher or Marc Sullivan or Garth Iorg.

I have been emailing with former pitcher Brian Hollman off and on for many years. Ever hear of him, probably not but you can go on eBay and find fake autos of his. So yes even people you never heard of that will happily sign anything for free have their autos forged all the time.

I honestly would only trust an auto I personally got directly from the player while watching them sign the item. Just my opinion.

[sreader3]

Yes I know who Brian Holman is. I stand by my statement that the aggregate forged % is very low, but not zero, for autos of common players.

Forged autos generally follow the money—although scumbags who take photos of themselves with famous players and then forge signatures of those players (as well as common players) and pawn them off on eBay ad infinitum are admittedly out there. I have had trouble getting authorities interested in these cases.

[theshleps]

My son batboyed in the Arizona fall league and also worked in the clubhouse. He was asked by a player to sign all his fan mail for him. This player was not a big star. We also new an NHL player (minor star) whose wife would sign for him. TTM stuff should be compared to IP for sure but I do think most TTM for non stars is fine. As to fakes on ebay there are definitely some sellers who sell 1000's of forgeries and have wonderful feedback. I've mentioned a few in the past as have many others here. I think for the most part the sellers are legit but with ebay selling millions of autographs monthly at least 1000s get through that are forgeries. And obviously a % of fakes still get slabbed by TPA though if it is one of the bigger TPA the % is small but those guys are probably not as good as some of the folks here.

[mrmopar]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I have been emailing with former pitcher Brian Hollman off and on for many years. Ever hear of him, probably not but you can go on eBay and find fake autos of his. So yes even people you never heard of that will happily sign anything for free have their autos forged all the time.

I honestly would only trust an auto I personally got directly from the player while watching them sign the item. Just my opinion.

A nobody player could easily become a target of fraudulent autographs simply by avoiding signing. His lack of signature supply then creates the opportunity for someone to assist with team and set builders. Of course, if they never signed much, identifying what the signature should and does look like becomes more difficult.

I collect Dodger autographs and often wonder if the handful of Bob Wilson autographs I see out there are ALL fakes or real, as they all seem to look similar. He is pretty obscure and his autographs don't seem to pop up often.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Wilson the Dodger had beautiful penmanship. Thankfully, the other Bob ("Red") Wilson usually signed with his nickname later on, thereby mostly avoiding the two players with the same name from being mixed up too often.