Ever seen the 1989 Ripken FF Mystery card?

[jp1216]

Counterfeit - no question. But who made it and why? Rarely does a 'fake' card have better qualities than the original. At the time these were first 'known' - over 25 years ago - the original FF was a $10 card.
For nearly 20 years later - only a couple dozen were known to exist. Then 1500+ were found at once - at an Antique store in Philly (think Fleer).

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jp1216

Counterfeit - no question. But who made it and why? Rarely does a 'fake' card have better qualities than the original. At the time these were first 'known' - over 25 years ago - the original FF was a $10 card.
For nearly 20 years later - only a couple dozen were known to exist. Then 1500+ were found at once - at an Antique store in Philly (think Fleer).

Just a guess but for the cash. $10 was more than many made an hour at that time. Yes I get $10 is nothing to many on here so they don't get doing anything for $10. Well $10 is a lot of cash to many today and even more 30+ years ago. Now times that $10 by the thousands that got made and that is as much if not more than most made a year back then. Especially regular employees in the printing business.

Now to why we never seen them over the years. Most junk wax cards got thrown away or completely forgotten about. Then who knows how many got sold. My guess is the "person" made them got scared after a few people noticed the difference the counterfeiter said F this and quit selling them.

As to the big find I know the fine gentleman who found them and have done many deals with him. I have never asked for details.

[jp1216]

A fellow collector bought one of these on eBay in/around 2022. Asked the seller if he had more. Seller (antique store guy / not a card guy) said 'actually I have all of these' - and sent a photo of two mostly full 800ct boxes.

Now to fact that the current owner of said lot is selling 4-5 of these - like clock work - on eBay every week at $50 a pop. Literally 4 or 5ish a week, every week for over a year now. Legit purchases and buyers. Printing $$! When he acquired the whole lot - I figured he'd sell a few dozen or so at $50. It just continues to command that price years later. Crazy!

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr...&LH_Complete=1

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jp1216

A fellow collector bought one of these on eBay in/around 2022. Asked the seller if he had more. Seller (antique store guy / not a card guy) said 'actually I have all of these' - and sent a photo of two mostly full 800ct boxes.

Now to fact that the current owner of said lot is selling 4-5 of these - like clock work - on eBay every week at $50 a pop. Literally 4 or 5ish a week, every week for over a year now. Legit purchases and buyers. Printing $$! When he acquired the whole lot - I figured he'd sell a few dozen or so at $50. It just continues to command that price years later. Crazy!

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr...&LH_Complete=1

Cool now I know the story behind the find, thanks.

I was with you on thinking they would become a few dollar card like the "Test Issue" fakes after the big find. I know I unloaded my hoard(around 12) as soon as I found out about the find thinking they would become worthless.