Rare 1956 Topps Uncut “Sheet” with Mantle and Mays

[G1911]

Originally Posted by raulus

After I placed my bid, I sent them an email and linked to the concerns raised in this thread. They called me and let me know that they had it authenticated and were confident that it is legit. I’m relying on the AH’s reputation, and I’m hopeful it’s solid. Maybe someday I’ll sell it for 7 figures.

Who authenticated it and signed off on this?

[Cliff Bowman]

What I wonder is if it is fake how could someone go about making this? Does it match a known sheet of that Series, or is a sheet of that Series even known?

[raulus]

Originally Posted by G1911

Who authenticated it and signed off on this?

They claimed to have taken it to a printer, who authenticated it. They didn't provide additional details beyond this. I wasn't trying to make a federal case out of it. Just wanted to confirm that they had done some diligence, felt really confident about it, and were confirming their confidence to me personally. If they had been uncertain, or hadn't done anything to check it out, then I probably would have pushed harder.

Bottom line for me is that if it's real, then I definitely want it.

If it's a fake, then that's clearly a problem. But if it is fake, then it's not the end of the world. While I'd rather spend my hard-earned cash on legitimate pieces, I guess I'm willing to take a chance on this one. Hopefully I don't get burned.

Amid all that, I also wasn't going to press the issue and demand to retract my bid. It just isn't worth it to me to damage a relationship with the AH. Not after I've already pissed one of them off in spectacular fashion.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by raulus

They claimed to have taken it to a printer, who authenticated it. They didn't provide additional details beyond this. I wasn't trying to make a federal case out of it. Just wanted to confirm that they had done some diligence, felt really confident about it, and were confirming their confidence to me personally. If they had been uncertain, or hadn't done anything to check it out, then I probably would have pushed harder.

Bottom line for me is that if it's real, then I definitely want it.

If it's a fake, then that's clearly a problem. But if it is fake, then it's not the end of the world. While I'd rather spend my hard-earned cash on legitimate pieces, I guess I'm willing to take a chance on this one. Hopefully I don't get burned.

Amid all that, I also wasn't going to press the issue and demand to retract my bid. It just isn't worth it to me to damage a relationship with the AH. Not after I've already pissed one of them off in spectacular fashion.

I hope for your sake it is real. I have significant doubts it is, it’s a difficult item to authenticate though and Leland’s has a vested interest in of course saying it’s good. If it is real you got a very low price on an amazing piece of card history. Being the one willing to take a risk can sometimes pay off, but proving it’s authenticity will be a lot more difficult than proving a real uncut sheet or card is real as there is nothing to compare it too.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by G1911

I hope for your sake it is real. I have significant doubts it is, it’s a difficult item to authenticate though and Leland’s has a vested interest in of course saying it’s good. If it is real you got a very low price on an amazing piece of card history. Being the one willing to take a risk can sometimes pay off, but proving it’s authenticity will be a lot more difficult than proving a real uncut sheet or card is real as there is nothing to compare it too.

Totally understand and appreciate your concerns. And also appreciate that authentication and documentation of said authenticity is a challenging nut to crack. Maybe I can get PSA to slab it for me in a new supermegajumbo slab, and that will eliminate all doubts.

[Cliff Bowman]

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...nting-blanket/

[raulus]

Guess what just arrived in the mail today??!!

A few impressions:

It’s incredibly thick and heavy. Definitely industrial grade. Almost like a great big mat. The back is textured, almost like a bit of wallboard.

The pictures from the listing don’t really capture the colors. It’s definitely dark and dim compared to the actual cards, but in person the colors are much brighter and lively than the listing pics convey. I’ve attached a few pics here to try to capture it a little better.

I’m open to brilliant ideas on whether/how I should display it. It fits nicely rolled up and in the box it came in. While I suppose that’s the cheapest and easiest option, it makes it difficult to impossible to really appreciate.

[Cliff Bowman]

Awesome! It looks like it might be a near complete original double sheet containing both Slits. The top part has nine rows and the bottom part has ten rows with a white alley in between, I am assuming the top row is missing from the Slit with nine rows. It appears each row has seven complete cards and a half of a card at the start of the row so that means the first three and a half cards are missing from each row. ETA, since the sheet is printed in reverse that means actually the LAST three and a half cards are missing from each row.