HOF Autograph Collection Question?

[dgo71]

They're inexpensive and available in large quantities. If the forger screws one up, it's easily discarded, and on to the next one, versus having one shot at getting the forgery right on a Koufax RC, for example.

[homerunhitter]

Originally Posted by dgo71

They're inexpensive and available in large quantities. If the forger screws one up, it's easily discarded, and on to the next one, versus having one shot at getting the forgery right on a Koufax RC, for example.

Very interesting. I never knew that but it makes sense. Thank you for your response. I appreciate it very much.

[dgo71]

That's just one reason, I'm sure there are others. I would think the simple fact that 8x10s were widely collected contributed to the amount of forgeries as well, since most forgers wouldn't waste their time on items that weren't as popular with collectors. So there was a good 20-30 year period or more where forged 8x10s were getting churned out. More recently, forged cards are becoming more prevalent, especially 80s/90s tough signers that can command huge premiums to set collectors.

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by dgo71

More recently, forged cards are becoming more prevalent, especially 80s/90s tough signers that can command huge premiums to set collectors.

Because, like stacks of 8x10 glossies, 80s/90s cards are cheap and available in almost unlimited quantities. Little/no investment for the forgers.

[dgo71]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

Because, like stacks of 8x10 glossies, 80s/90s cards are cheap and available in almost unlimited quantities. Little/no investment for the forgers.

Yes, great point. Cards from this era can be had for literally pennies. A 2-cent 1987 Topps Rod Scurry common can be turned into a nearly $800 card to the right buyer.

[homerunhitter]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

Because, like stacks of 8x10 glossies, 80s/90s cards are cheap and available in almost unlimited quantities. Little/no investment for the forgers.

In regards to 8x10s, This is sad to hear because my two biggest passions are baseball and photography so, signed 8x10s who be absolutely perfect for me (and bring me happiness collecting) however the resale value are Pennies on the dollar (often times final sales price doesn’t even cover the PSA authentication fees) and now reading that 8x10s are often forged, makes me not want to collect them. I guess if I flipped these two negatives around positively, my train of thought would be. 1. At least I can buy 8x10s super cheap (because they sell for do low on eBay) and 2. At least If the photos I buy have the blessing of PSA saying they are authentic, then people will always buy them because they have been “authenticated “ by a TPA already. What to do, what to do! Collecting use to be so simple until all these forgers and crooks infiltrated our hobby!

[Bigdaddy]

Forgers and crooks follow the money and money is dependent on the supply/demand curve.

Unfortunately, that is the trade-off. The rise in popularity of sports collectibles attracts the forgers and crooks, but it also brings us more opportunities and more 'finds' that make their way to collectors instead of the rubbish pile.

[homerunhitter]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

Forgers and crooks follow the money and money is dependent on the supply/demand curve.

Unfortunately, that is the trade-off. The rise in popularity of sports collectibles attracts the forgers and crooks, but it also brings us more opportunities and more 'finds' that make their way to collectors instead of the rubbish pile.

If I decide to add 8x10s to my HOF collection, I’ll have to look at/and accept it as this:

1. As an investor, resale would suck (I’ll never recoup what I paid for it)
2. As a true collector, there are some amazingly beautiful looking photos for sale on eBay for CHEAP (and already TPA authenticated)
3. PSA, JSA, Beckett, Etc already authenticated them as “authentic” so for discussion purposes, in the public’s eyes, they are “authentic”.
4. If I buy 8x10s it is for the pure love of my two passions of baseball and photography (not for resale value) because resale value is just about zero in todays autograph market.