PSA Mistake- Graded Exhibit reprints on ebay

[smtjoy]

Well after trading emails and linking this thread the seller has pulled the auctions. He seems to be a very nice guy and is doing the right thing.

He is taking this up with Joe at PSA and I will be interested to see how they handle it. The seller has invested a lot of time and effort in listing these cards and sending two off to Memory Lane for there Dec auction, time to see how PSA handles it.

Ohh and Chris you are right on the list, I'm pretty sure I owe you the list from another thread, I will post it when I get home later.

[sox1903wschamp]

Good catch Scott! It made me run to check out my Red Sox Exhibits and they are all cream colored backs. Here is a Dom D and the back. And I do think the seller is doing the right thing.

[Miketsox]

I was the seller of the cards in question. First off, I'd like to thank smtjoy for all of his assistance. I really appreciated the fact that he contacted me and helped me to understand the situation (vs. someone else who took a more accusatory and nasty approach).

Here's the chronology of what happened:

- I had 10 Exhibit cards graded by PSA and they received grades ranging from 6 to 9 (I've had a sizeable sports card collection for many, many years, but I am certainly no expert on Exhibits, as I only had a handful of them from when I purchased them in the late 70s/ early 80s).

- When PSA authenticated them (the "a" in PSA does stand for authenticators, right?!), I decided to sell them on EBAY. I sold two cards on EBAY last month, and had 6 more up for auction to end later this week. I also had two highly-graded cards slated for a December auction with a reputable sports card auction house.

- SMTJOY sent me an e-mail expressing his concern that PSA made a mistake and that the cards may not be legitimate. I sent him a scan of the back of the card, and he said that legitimate Exhibit cards should not have a gray back. By the way, I had only scanned the front of the Exhibit cards for the auction because the back was blank and I thought there would not be any reason to show the back of the card (obviously, I was wrong on that one!).

- I called the auction house to tell them that the two cards I gave them for their December auction which were both graded PSA 9's may not be legit.

- SMTJOY and I exchanged e-mails and I was impressed with his knowledge of Exhibit cards.

- I took down all six EBAY auctions based on the information SMTJOY gave me. Being a buyer, not a seller for the vast majority of my life, I view things through a buyer's perspective. There is no way I would want to sell anything that was bogus, regardless of whether it was authenticated by PSA or not.
I have been a part of this hobby for the past 40 years, and my EBAY reputation is impeccable (not a single blemish on my record in 10+ years).

- I received a call from PSA before I even had the opportunity to call them first. They caught wind of the situation and reached out to me. The representative of the company could not have been more forthright and apologetic. The situation was handled in a very professional manner. PSA accepted responsibility, accountability, and blame for what happened, and could not have handled it any better. No excuses, no weaseling, no "blame game," just an admission that they made a mistake and wanted to rectify it.

Here's a breakdown of the 10 Exhibit cards that were incorrectly graded by PSA:

6 cards on EBAY - taken down. Fortunately, none of them had bids.

2 cards - sold on EBAY last month--- I contacted both buyers, explained the situation, and told them they would be reimbursed.

2 cards with auction house --- I spoke to the auctioneers again, and they agreed to remove the cards from the auction and send them directly to PSA.


In the final analysis, what this all proves is that the hobby community could help one another, especially when it comes to keeping the hobby "gene pool" pure. SMTJOY did everyone a great service.

As for PSA, I'm philosophical about the whole thing. Hey, they messed up. I'm sure it's not the first time and I know it won't be the last time. I believe it was an honest mistake, but I was quite impressed with the way they assumed responsibility for their mistake and did not try to pawn their mistake off on someone else. It was actually quite refreshing in this day and age of people always trying to avoid responsibility. PSA isn't perfect, but neither are we. At least they tried to work together with me towards a resolution.

Sure, I'm disappointed that the cards were not legit and I'm going to be out a lot of money (especially since I've been out of work for quite a while now). Still, I want to make money the honest way, and if I have to rip people off to get it, then I don't want it.

When all is said and done, all 10 Exhibit cards that were graded incorrectly by PSA will be sent back to PSA and removed from circulation. That resolution is the result of knowledge, and SMTJOY'S willingness to be a part of the solution, and not the problem.

[smtjoy]

OK here is the list of reprinted exhibits-

Dark Grey-

Aaron
Berra (Yogi version)
Campanella
Ford (pitching version)
Fox
Hodges (B on Cap)
Mantle (No White outline version)
Mays (Batting)
Musial (Kneeling)
Newcombe (Dodgers on Jacket)
Reese (ball visable version)
Snider (B on Cap)
Spahn (B on Cap)
Williams (#9 not showing)

White cardstock, all of the above plus-
1956 Dodgers
1956 Yankees


They are on ebay so beware when buying any of these cards. I always ask the seller what color the backs are? White or Tan/Cream or Grey? Most sellers have no idea what they should be so this is a good way to find out. Here is a listing on ebay now of the reprints (seller looks to be be selling a bunch of them)-

http://cgi.ebay.com/Whitey-Ford-Exhi...item518dc73386

[Exhibitman]

good catches and good outcomes. There are indeed two varieties of fakes and both are as clear as day to anyone with any expertise in the issue.

[steve B]

Just curious, why not have them reslabbed as 70's reprints which is what they are. Lots of the collectors sets and earlier reprints from that era are getting some interest. Certainly not as much as originals, but I do think they're collectible on their own if they're properly identified

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by steve B

Just curious, why not have them reslabbed as 70's reprints which is what they are. Lots of the collectors sets and earlier reprints from that era are getting some interest. Certainly not as much as originals, but I do think they're collectible on their own if they're properly identified

Steve:

Good point. There probably will be some interest in collecting 70's & '80's reprints; however, the image is not as clear as on an original Exhibit. It becomes more apparent when you compare the two side by side.

[HRBAKER]

I agree, good job/outcome by those involved (Scott/seller). However, it is incredulous that these were graded in the first place.

[keithsky]

I don't by the statement of PSA just made an honest mistake. I don't see how PSA could miss that. One card maybe yes. 10 cards NO. There are only 2 sides to a card, front and back and if the guy looking at it is supposed to be experienced then he should have caught that. Your paying for there knowledge not there guess. If he or she doesn't know then there should have been another person looking at it to confirm. If you can't rely on these third party companies to be more acurate then what good is it. Sure they have alot of things to look at but that is no excuse. Hire more people or hire people that are experienced in certain areas like Exibits. We need to start holding these companies accountable

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by steve B

Just curious, why not have them reslabbed as 70's reprints which is what they are. Lots of the collectors sets and earlier reprints from that era are getting some interest. Certainly not as much as originals, but I do think they're collectible on their own if they're properly identified

Although ESCO did legitimately reprint some cards (1948 HOF) in the early 1970s, the problem is that they aren't authorized reprints (like the 1948 HOF reissue) but were created anonymously to cheat collectors. They, like Broders, have basically no collectible value; I paid a few bucks for a full run primarily to use as autograph bases.

[sportsamerica]

I thought PSA did have 2 graders grade, and if a difference a 3rd came in to resolve. So what this would mean is at least 2 graders missed this reprint issue

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Although ESCO did legitimately reprint some cards (1948 HOF) in the early 1970s, the problem is that they aren't authorized reprints (like the 1948 HOF reissue) but were created anonymously to cheat collectors. They, like Broders, have basically no collectible value; I paid a few bucks for a full run primarily to use as autograph bases.

The cards being anonymous does make a difference, and they certainly aren't worth much, but it's still a set that could be collected on its own merits or lack of merits. In stamps, some groups of forgeries are avidly collected, sometimes ending up worth more than the originals. Nope, I don't think that's going to be the case here.
I don't really buy the unlicensed =no value argument. Most of the old sets we collect are probably unlicensed, or were at the time. And I know of at least one newer set that wasn't licensed, but hasn't been stigmatised by that label. I also believe that many 70's collector sets wouldn't pass current licensing standards, but were fine in their own time. I do also collect broders, but usually only if they're part of a collection, or are very cheap.

[pwilk17]

I sold this exhibit on ebay while ago and the buyer returned it for a refund claiming it was a reprint. I have attached a scan of the front and the back. Can someone please confirm that this is in fact a reprint and the year it was issued. Thank you - Appreciate it!

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by smtjoy

OK here is the list of reprinted exhibits-

Dark Grey-

Aaron
Berra (Yogi version)
Campanella
Ford (pitching version)
Fox
Hodges (B on Cap)
Mantle (No White outline version)
Mays (Batting)
Musial (Kneeling)
Newcombe (Dodgers on Jacket)
Reese (ball visable version)
Snider (B on Cap)
Spahn (B on Cap)
Williams (#9 not showing)

White cardstock, all of the above plus-
1956 Dodgers
1956 Yankees


They are on ebay so beware when buying any of these cards. I always ask the seller what color the backs are? White or Tan/Cream or Grey? Most sellers have no idea what they should be so this is a good way to find out. Here is a listing on ebay now of the reprints (seller looks to be be selling a bunch of them)-

http://cgi.ebay.com/Whitey-Ford-Exhi...item518dc73386

I just stumbled across this thread doing some research. Pulled a bunch of these out of a collection. You can add Elston Howard to this list for future reference.

Glad "Archive" can come in handy once in awhile.

[irv]

I purchased these years ago, likely 30+, and from what I have learned about these on here about their backs, (very white) they are also reprints.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by irv

I purchased these years ago, likely 30+, and from what I have learned about these on here about their backs, (very white) they are also reprints.

I have had the same thing happen, though not held quite as long, with other cards and it's never a great feeling.

[whiteymet]

Hi Gang:

Just stumbled across this old thread. Don't know how I missed it.

I would like to add a few things. First, as Dave mentioned you can add the Elston Howard to the gray back checklist.

I do not have Howard in the white back nor the Berra in the gray back. I wonder if they were switched? Can anyone confirm a white back Howard and/or a gray back Berra?

There is also ANOTHER white back set. Checklist is below:

Aaron
Adcock dark signature
Ashburn Cubs
Banks Portrait
Bauer NY on cap
Burdette pitching side view
Colavito batting
Drysdale glove at waist
Ennis
Fox
Jensen
Mathews name correct
McDougald Printed in U.S.A.
Sievers Senators lt. Bkgrd
Spahn M on cap
Torgeson plain uniform
Vernon batting
Woodling white signature
Zernial black signature

19 is a strange number for a set so there may be more out there. Or maybe I have one card from the other white back set mixed in.

These are all over ebay so you may want to check your cards of the above to be sure you do not have white backs.

Example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1947-66-Exh...p2047675.l2557

And PSA is STILL MisIDing these. Another member here bought a Team Card off ebay that was graded by PSA recently and when he got it, it was white back. Perhaps he will share info in a follow up post.

Fred