The evidence against Barry Halper is mounting

[FUBAR]

OT-what kind of newspaper editor lets this go to print with the same statement repeated three times back to back to back..... OK we get it, MLB paid 7 million and it got donated to the Hall.

It is truly sad that Halper items were fake, it makes me wonder if he knew they were fake or if he was as gullible as the rest of us and bought fakes thinking they were legit!

[perezfan]

The vast majority of what he had was legit. These few pieces (which represent less than 1% of his collection) are drawing attention because...

A. It makes for good headlines
B. The public likes to see the downfall of wealthy/powerful people
C. The magnitude of the Joe Jackson Jersey is as high profile as anything in his collection

I personally don't believe he knew about the fake items. Perhaps he "turned a blind eye" in some instances where he could have done deeper research. But for the most part, he was just an enthusiastic collector like the rest of us. The only difference is that he had unlimited money and hundreds of contacts who "lived in the business".

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by perezfan

The vast majority of what he had was legit. These few pieces (which represent less than 1% of his collection) are drawing attention because...

A. It makes for good headlines
B. The public likes to see the downfall of wealthy/powerful people
C. The magnitude of the Joe Jackson Jersey is as high profile as anything in his collection

I personally don't believe he knew about the fake items. Perhaps he "turned a blind eye" in some instances where he could have done deeper research. But for the most part, he was just an enthusiastic collector like the rest of us. The only difference is that he had unlimited money and hundreds of contacts who "lived in the business".

For me it's hard to get past the fact that he lied about how he obtained the Jackson jersey. It would be more understandable if he was duped, but in this instance we know it isn't so.

[tinkereversandme]

I agree with Perezfan. It's like PSA/DNA and JSA. They get it right MOST of the time, but when they get it wrong, it makes news. When PSA/DNA and JSA REALLY get it wrong, there is outrage. A large majority of the stuff was indeed good. What's not good is the deceitful way something was obtained. The lie. But who doesn't lie nowadays? Gotta get dinner. My super model wife is making Beef Wellington.

Larry

[olsport]

So then I come to the question of all the stories of how Barry fleeced some of the relatives of deceased baseball hall of famers into believing the items some even donated to him for FREE, or sold at very low cost, would quote unquote , "NEVER be Sold, because I am a collector!" Then when the relatives see that there items were sold, and the price that was gotten, they feel ripped off by a conman? Please shed some light on these issues?

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by tinkereversandme

The lie. But who doesn't lie nowadays?

Hmmm....I might "lie" to my kid about the tooth fairy or Santa Claus (is that even a real lie?)...I would not lie about how I obtained a high dollar piece of memorabilia that ends up in the Baseball Hall of Fame...especially if it's a fraud. You know that might make it look like I knew all along that the item was fraudulent.

[19cbb]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Hmmm....I might "lie" to my kid about the tooth fairy or Santa Claus (is that even a real lie?)...I would not lie about how I obtained a high dollar piece of memorabilia that ends up in the Baseball Hall of Fame...especially if it's a fraud. You know that might make it look like I knew all along that the item was fraudulent.

+1

[ss]

I always wondered why people seemed to treat Halper like he was above reproach. There were enough stories about him while he was still living, including from Joe D., that showed a sleazy side. Where there is one known fake item, there are many, many more.

Steve

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by FUBAR

OT-what kind of newspaper editor lets this go to print with the same statement repeated three times back to back to back..... OK we get it, MLB paid 7 million and it got donated to the Hall.

Hey, it was worth repeating. Hey, it was worth repeating. t was worth repeating.

[19cbb]

Writing about fake items is easier than writing about legit, but stolen items... That's for sure.