The evidence against Barry Halper is mounting

[scooter729]

Wow, my work won't be happy that I just spent a good amount of time reading that whole article, but I had to keep reading!

Sad to see some of these items likely are not real. It would be awesome to think these treasures have survived, but the evidence definitely seemed stacked against Halper.

It would be interesting to know whether Halper knew the truth, or if he was scammed on purchasing the items, but based on some of his inconsistencies (like the stories about Joe Jackson's widow and the former player who had Wilbert Robinson's jersey), it sounds like he wasn't the one being scammed in all of these cases...

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by scooter729

It would be interesting to know whether Halper knew the truth, or if he was scammed on purchasing the items, but based on some of his inconsistencies (like the stories about Joe Jackson's widow and the former player who had Wilbert Robinson's jersey), it sounds like he wasn't the one being scammed in all of these cases...

Anyone got a running list of "bad" items in this sale?
-Joe Jax jersey
-Wilbert Robinson jersey
-Ty Cobb's Shotgun
-Ty Cobb diaries
-possibly every single Ty Cobb item that originated from Al Stump?
-Radbourn and ?? (Forgot the other guy) cabinet photos in street clothes

[19cbb]

Dan, don't have the catalog at hand, but I think there was a phony Cummings.

[slidekellyslide]

I did a quick scan of the catalogs again this morning and I'm curious as to what kind of documentation some of these jersey's had. There is nothing in the way of provenance offered up in the catalog, and we're talking about Anson, Ewing, Thorpe, McGinnitty, McGraw and bunches of other incredible jerseys.

[canjond]

Originally Posted by 19cbb

Dan, don't have the catalog at hand, but I think there was a phony Cummings.

It was Roger Connor.

[19cbb]

Originally Posted by canjond

It was Roger Connor.

I meant the Cummings in lot 202

[canjond]

Originally Posted by 19cbb

I meant the Cummings in lot 202

My mistake. Connor was the other cabinet Dan was referring to.

[mr2686]

so what's the thinking here...he got duped, knew it, and starting making up authentication stories to save face, or did he knowingly invest very little in bogus stuff in order to sell it later on at high market value?

[Giants00]

Great discussion! I am sure many of you have seen Dave Grob's piece on his worries.
if not http://www.mearsonline.com/news/newsDetail.asp?id=757

I am the owner of many pre-1955 flannels. Some I purchased at Halper sale. Like anything else, caveat emptor. There were some good, some bad. You could see in the prices a huge difference for jerseys people believed in, vs those with issues. Clearly, 19th century jerseys look to have issues.

My bad story does not come from auction, but after auction. They had an internet only auction from Soethbys. I bought a supposed 1919 white sox jersey (similar to Joe Jackson). Turned out to be total joke. Was child size, tags were way off. I have kept it as a reminder to my self of always do my work.

dan

[jbsports33]

any type of game used items can be tough, which is why I try not to deal with too much of it, I have had my share of nice items in the past. The news is very disappointing, but we have heard a lot of news this best year, I did not think I would hear from this hobby.

Jimmy

[jboosted92]

Dan S.

Thanks for sharing. I know sometimes collectors have been duped, are embarrassed to share. like Dave G. (mears) the more that can be weeded out, the better.

I collect GU items BECAUSE of the fact i enjoy knowing the player used them.I I would rather pay more , with the proper authentication/research/MEARS work, but know for sure.

Im more into bats, but i would rather have a bat that looks horrible but is lock/stock/barrel Used by the player, than a pretty one, with lots of leaps of faith.... just my opinion...

Originally Posted by Giants00

Great discussion! I am sure many of you have seen Dave Grob's piece on his worries.
if not http://www.mearsonline.com/news/newsDetail.asp?id=757

I am the owner of many pre-1955 flannels. Some I purchased at Halper sale. Like anything else, caveat emptor. There were some good, some bad. You could see in the prices a huge difference for jerseys people believed in, vs those with issues. Clearly, 19th century jerseys look to have issues.

My bad story does not come from auction, but after auction. They had an internet only auction from Soethbys. I bought a supposed 1919 white sox jersey (similar to Joe Jackson). Turned out to be total joke. Was child size, tags were way off. I have kept it as a reminder to my self of always do my work.

dan

[bmarlowe1]

Originally Posted by 19cbb

I meant the Cummings in lot 202

The Cummings was definitely phony.

[19cbb]

Originally Posted by 19cbb

I meant the Cummings in lot 202

Originally Posted by bmarlowe1

The Cummings was definitely phony.

And not even close!

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Anyone got a running list of "bad" items in this sale?
-Joe Jax jersey
-Wilbert Robinson jersey
-Ty Cobb's Shotgun
-Ty Cobb diaries
-possibly every single Ty Cobb item that originated from Al Stump?
-Radbourn and ?? (Forgot the other guy) cabinet photos in street clothes

I know Denny Eskin was commenting shortly after the auction that the Mantle glove bought by Billy Crystal was a store model!

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I know Denny Eskin was commenting shortly after the auction that the Mantle glove bought by Billy Crystal was a store model!

This information is incorrect.....It wasn't a store model but rather a glove used by Mantle later in his career and not "circa" 1961 (magic year) as described in the catalog.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

This information is incorrect.....It wasn't a store model but rather a glove used by Mantle later in his career and not "circa" 1961 (magic year) as described in the catalog.

Denny made this statement to me clearly and in person shortly after the auction at the Robert Morris show in Pittsburgh - "it wasn't even a game used glove, it was store model!" That was a number of years ago and I leave room for the possibilty he may have gotten new information or changed his mind - but he said what he said.

-Howard

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by hcv123

Denny made this statement to me clearly and in person shortly after the auction at the Robert Morris show in Pittsburgh - "it wasn't even a game used glove, it was store model!" That was a number of years ago and I leave room for the possibilty he may have gotten new information or changed his mind - but he said what he said.

-Howard

I guess Denny later changed his mind


http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/...l_s_glove.html

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

I guess Denny later changed his mind


http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/...l_s_glove.html

BOY was that a different Denny than the one speaking to me shortly after the auction. I guess that was before the days when he was recognized as an expert.