things to look for in T206 authenticity?

[iggyman]

Most of what I know about reprints comes from David, but in my opinion if that Cobb is a reprint we are in big trouble ("99%" sure we are in trouble ).

Just for comparison, I did a quick Google search on "T206 Mathewson paper loss" (since the Mathewson is found so frequently) and here are two with the same white as snow spots.

Lovely Day...

[judsonhamlin]

I think one way to look at it is "the three f's" - frame, font and focus. On reprints, the frames usually seem to be printed at the same time as the image. On real cards there is almost always some minute offset. That leads to the focus of the image - the multiple color runs for ink on the originals are never quite perfect and, like the frames, are a little off in some way. The font has been discussed already as to color and size, and I agree with the previous posts on that.

[vintagerookies51]

So you think the Cobb is a fake?

[judsonhamlin]

All in all, I think that the Cobb is probably a fake. The tear seems recent compared to the aging on the card and the font looks not quite right in the scan. The staining might be plausible, but it seems more likely that is a poor attempt at artificial aging.

[Idiottax]

Having looked at the Cobb Bat on Shoulder for sale on eBay and the Cobb Bat on Shoulder for sale from Gradedcardman, I purchased the latter this weekend.

I was watching the auction on eBay, but just had a bad feeling about the card. The card was sold by someone who did not appear to generally sell tobacco cards, the staining on the card was odd and something about the card just put me off. I'm not saying that I personally thought the card was fake, but I never purchase any card I have any hesitation about, even if someone else ends up with a good deal because of my inaction.

Personally, I felt it was worth it to spend extra on a card like Cobb from someone I've bought from in the past, had good experiences with and was providing a graded card. I think the card on eBay had greater eye appeal, but I prefer knowing that my card is authentic.

Perhaps my worst buying experience is of a card, which passes tests for authenticity (blacklight, loupe), but because of the concerns I had about the card, always gives me pause and takes some of the joy away from owning it.