Opinion on Mantle Inscription

[Michael Frost]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

Michael, how you do explain the above AMI listing that reads "This great display piece was signed in the presence of Mantle friend & associate Mike Frost, who had the foresight to let Mantle have fun with a pen, and do what he did best-namely be Mickey."

Please explain those two ads, Michael?

What you are showing is nothing new, this was from over 4 years ago and what consigners say or what auction companies write is not in my control.
I am sure you do not believe everything you read or what ever you hear. If so there are many things written about you on the Internet that I would not even think about asking you about.
Chris, I have been involved in this industry for over 30 years now and I have heard every known story, lie and theory about autographs a dozen times.
As you know I was very close to Mickey Mantle for many years, at one time I was one of the only sources for dealers to obtain authentic autographs directly from Mickey Mantle via private signings. I have personally had three autograph shows with Mickey Mantle and I have handled over 20 private signings for Mickey Mantle from 1985 - 1993. He was a good friend and there would be no reason at all that I would have ever had or sold forged Mickey Mantle signed items. This stories have been conjured up by forgeries, corrupt dealers, and mainly by jealous individuals who wish they had the privilege to be among the trusted friends and business associates that were able to work directly with Mickey Mantle.
You have done a nice job cleaning up many of the fake Mickey Mantle autographs that have been sold throughout the Interne,t but you have also made mistakes and false comments along the way. I have never got involved an corrected you nor challenged your opinions. I do thank you for your hard work and for the job you have done exposing many fake Jeter, Riviera, and Mickey Mantle autographs but here I must say you are very wrong and about 10 years to late.
The baseball that started this conversation I believe did not come from the same person that signed the 2 11x14 photographs. I have seen and discussed the 2 photos that you have posted from AMI years ago and I remember there was no COA and there was numbers and a signature on the back and they in no way were ever owned, consigned, or sold by me. The baseball on top I believe is something that is newer and I would like to see the type of baseball it has been signed on.
I also have no idea what Steve Koschal may or may not have to do with any of this? I have seen his name in the conversations and I surely will not stick up for him, but I know nothing of him and Mickey Mantle forgeries. I believe I would know were these New Jersey style Mickey Mantle autographs came from, but this was long before your time. I have files going back 20+ years on Mickey Mantle forgeries and exemplars and were they came from but I learned years ago , you can not fight the world.
Again I do thank you for your concerns and your hard work in keeping the autograph market authentic.

[thetruthisoutthere]

So, Michael, when those AMI catalog listings were produced in 2003, you didn't object to those item descriptions (the Mantle forgeries) reading "Signed in the presence of Mantle friend & associate Mike Frost......"

[Michael Frost]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

So, Michael, when those AMI catalog listings were produced in 2003, you didn't object to those item descriptions (the Mantle forgeries) reading "Signed in the presence Mantle friend & associate Mike Frost......"

It was addressed years ago, the items were in their catalog 11 years ago during a time that I was not talking nor involved with American Memorabilia Auctions. It was brought to my attention about 6 months - a year after it was published. I do talk to Victor and Kieta regularly again and do consider them good friends. Contrary to what many say and what is all over the Internet they are good people and I believe them to be honest.
They are not the only auction house nor dealer that have used my name as an associate of Mickey Mantle it has happened many many times. There was and seem still are many jealous and envies people within the industry. There are not many that have been able to survive this industry for the length of time I have. The few remaining that come to mind would be Richard Simon, Jim Stinson, Mead Chasky, Josh Evans, Scott Goodman, Dick Gordon, B&E Collectibles and a hand full of others.

[Spiral Stairs]

Originally Posted by Michael Frost

... The baseball on top I believe is something that is newer and I would like to see the type of baseball it has been signed on.

The ball is a Bobby Brown OALB.

[Big Dave]

Victor and Kieta good people?

I think the many people they have stolen from would disagree.

[Michael Frost]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Victor and Kieta good people?

I think the many people they have stolen from would disagree.

Who have they stolen from? That is hard to understand because they are still in business and doing well. They do not seem to be hiding from anyone, they have the same phone number and they always anser the phone. I have heard of some payment problem but many people have told me that they made payments and took care of their issues.

[Michael Frost]

Originally Posted by Spiral Stairs

The ball is a Bobby Brown OALB.

Is it Haiti or Costa Rica?

[thetruthisoutthere]

And what about this auction that was recently on Ebay, Michael?


MantleFakeGroup-10.jpg

MantleFakeGroup-11.jpg

MantleFakeGroup-12.jpg

[Big Dave]

Mike, this is very well known and a little research will enlighten you.

[Michael Frost]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

And what about this auction that was recently on Ebay, Michael?


Attachment 118884

Attachment 118885

Attachment 118886

To be honest the signature does not look that bad via scan, I would need to physically examine the Mickey Mantle signature if you are interested in the authenticity. As for the COA, I can guarantee to you that is a forgery. Collectibles of the Stars was no longer open in 1997 and the signature on the COA is not mine nor my brothers. Where and who was this signed photograph purchased from?

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by Michael Frost

To be honest the signature does not look that bad via scan, I would need to physically examine the Mickey Mantle signature if you are interested in the authenticity. As for the COA, I can guarantee to you that is a forgery. Collectibles of the Stars was no longer open in 1997 and the signature on the COA is not mine nor my brothers. Where and who was this signed photograph purchased from?

In an unrelated question. I know your name's not on it, but I was wondering if you possibly know anything about the Cheetah the Chimp signatures that were discussed here a while back? Apparently they were signed in '97, with the COA using the names "collectibles of the stars" and Michael Wehrmann.

http://www.timelessautographauctions.com/lot-4319.aspx
http://net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=176306

[shelly]

Mike, I could not just sit back a let you spew garbage. You brag about being friends with Mantle. If that is true why cant you authentic his signiture. It is just hard to belive a man who watched Mantle sign all those items cant tell a good one from a bad. I am sure not only Chris but many other people on this site have seen your PAAS letters that authenticated many forged Mantles.
If you where the only one handleing Mantle. Where was Tommy Catal and Gree Johnson at that time?

[Michael Frost]

Originally Posted by novakjr

In an unrelated question. I know your name's not on it, but I was wondering if you possibly know anything about the Cheetah the Chimp signatures that were discussed here a while back? Apparently they were signed in '97, with the COA using the names "collectibles of the stars" and Michael Wehrmann.

http://www.timelessautographauctions.com/lot-4319.aspx
http://net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=176306

This was a actual private signing done by may partner Michael Wehrmann. I have never seen one authenticated by a 3rd party authentication company before. I do not understand how one can examine nor authenticate this signature without a library of exemplars. I would have to presume that this signature was authenticated based upon the credentials of Michael Wehrmann's name and reputation.
Each signed photograph was signed and numbered and was sold with a matching numbered certificate with the signature of the owner and the chimp. This private signing initially started out as a joke but it was very successful and did sell out. I believe the asking price in 1997 was $15.00 each and I am glad to see such a big increase. It would be something to start seeing forged Cheetah autographs in the market.

[Spiral Stairs]

Originally Posted by Michael Frost

Is it Haiti or Costa Rica?

No country stamp. (So post-1992?)