Babe Ruth single-signed baseball... but with TTA Authentication

[Fredskinz]

Didn't think I would have started World War III with my little Babe Ruth post... Sorry all... Newbie mistake!

My take is this ... I have a Rolex watch and I also have a fake Rolex watch... When I wear the fake one, I don't care that it's fake... It runs, it looks nice and no one knows the difference... It still functions as a time piece and a fashion piece even though its fake... But when I buy memorabilia, it's not so black and white... I personally can't enjoy a fake ball or jersey that is supposed to be authentic... Its functionality is solely based on its authenticity... Therefore, due to the current state of the hobby, I HAVE to use these certificates as some sort of guide, because I just can't bring myseld to proudly display a fake Babe Ruth autograph..

Being new here, I don't know if members have certain agendas or what have you, I'm just glad that there is a forum to bounce these sort of questions off of other interested collectors...

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by Fredskinz

Didn't think I would have started World War III with my little Babe Ruth post... Sorry all... Newbie mistake!

My take is this ... I have a Rolex watch and I also have a fake Rolex watch... When I wear the fake one, I don't care that it's fake... It runs, it looks nice and no one knows the difference... It still functions as a time piece and a fashion piece even though its fake... But when I buy memorabilia, it's not so black and white... I personally can't enjoy a fake ball or jersey that is supposed to be authentic... Its functionality is solely based on its authenticity... Therefore, due to the current state of the hobby, I HAVE to use these certificates as some sort of guide, because I just can't bring myseld to proudly display a fake Babe Ruth autograph..

Being new here, I don't know if members have certain agendas or what have you, I'm just glad that there is a forum to bounce these sort of questions off of other interested collectors...

No worries. You didn't start anything that hasn't been going on for quite awhile. You just need to know it's not a simple as having an autograph authenticated by the big two authentication groups. They make mistakes, and although I don't believe those mistakes are malicious, they do occur. As for judging the Cert and not the autograph, all I can say is that I would not look any further at an autograph if I saw it was authenticated by the J. Dimaggio company and I don't think anyone else here would either. How that applies to some of the other companies out there is for you to decide.

[mighty bombjack]

Originally Posted by Fredskinz

Didn't think I would have started World War III with my little Babe Ruth post... Sorry all... Newbie mistake!

My take is this ... I have a Rolex watch and I also have a fake Rolex watch... When I wear the fake one, I don't care that it's fake... It runs, it looks nice and no one knows the difference... It still functions as a time piece and a fashion piece even though its fake... But when I buy memorabilia, it's not so black and white... I personally can't enjoy a fake ball or jersey that is supposed to be authentic... Its functionality is solely based on its authenticity... Therefore, due to the current state of the hobby, I HAVE to use these certificates as some sort of guide, because I just can't bring myseld to proudly display a fake Babe Ruth autograph..

Being new here, I don't know if members have certain agendas or what have you, I'm just glad that there is a forum to bounce these sort of questions off of other interested collectors...

Yes, please bounce away! That is what these forums are for.

I totally get what you are saying about peace of mind when it comes to collectibles. With autographs, if you didn't see the person sign it, than authenticity will always be a percentage. Other people get paid to give an opinion, and you need to figure out whose (if anyone's) opinion might add value or not, and then educate yourself on the item and signature as much as you can. This last part is the only thing that can give you true peace of mind.

And, as has been pointed out, that is easier said than done with Ruth. The fakers have gotten really good with his auto, unfortunately.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Maybe FredSkinz can reveal his real name here for us.

[Fredskinz]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

Maybe FredSkinz can reveal his real name here for us.

Real name is Fred... Redskins fan since birth, thus Fredskinz

[mr2686]

Hey Fred, were you around when John Riggins was playing? Man he was a tough son of a gun. Always liked watching him play.

[RichardSimon]

He was a Jet first and I used to like to watch him too, tough piece of work.

[travrosty]

he said "loosen up, sandy baby!"

haha

[Fredskinz]

Originally Posted by mr2686

Hey Fred, were you around when John Riggins was playing? Man he was a tough son of a gun. Always liked watching him play.

My family has had season tickets since the late 60's, so I got to see all of Riggins big games including SB XVII... The Diesel was awesome! Then I got to work with him one summer when I interned at the local rock station DC101... Now that I work in sports, I see him all the time at Super Bowls and what not

[jgmp123]

Great Post FredSkinz.

[Splinte1941]

Originally Posted by Fredskinz

Didn't think I would have started World War III with my little Babe Ruth post... Sorry all... Newbie mistake!

My take is this ... I have a Rolex watch and I also have a fake Rolex watch... When I wear the fake one, I don't care that it's fake... It runs, it looks nice and no one knows the difference... It still functions as a time piece and a fashion piece even though its fake... But when I buy memorabilia, it's not so black and white... I personally can't enjoy a fake ball or jersey that is supposed to be authentic... Its functionality is solely based on its authenticity... Therefore, due to the current state of the hobby, I HAVE to use these certificates as some sort of guide, because I just can't bring myseld to proudly display a fake Babe Ruth autograph..

Being new here, I don't know if members have certain agendas or what have you, I'm just glad that there is a forum to bounce these sort of questions off of other interested collectors...

Fred, you hit the nail on the head. I recently purchased a signed photo. The signature itself I'm told is questionable, however, as a collector of this player, the photograph itself was too good for me to pass up. I've never seen another like it and it came (I'm told) directly from his estate. Good enough for me.

If I were to receive PSA or JSA COA's on it, great. If not, I'm still happy with the photo as it's probably one of a kind. I'll never know if the guy signed it or not, regardless of COA's, but I can sleep at night knowing the photo is an original and unique. I collect vintage photos, so that's my angle. I probably wouldn't feel the same way about a vintage baseball that was forged, but that's just my preference.