General Forum

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Looking for a good eye for autos for 2 cards. These were in with a collection I picked up last year. I just came back across them this week. Looking for any opinions on authenticity! I would like to send them off for authentication if they pass the eye test.

I looked up the Tony Gwynn and found a very similar authenticated auto, so I am thinking that one is authentic. I’m not sure about the Drysdale.

There was also a signed Jerry Rice 1991 or 1992 Stadium Club (signed “To: [person who sold me the collection], Jerry Rice”), a Will Clark auto’d slip of paper, and a Jeff Brantley autographed Rated Rookie. The theme seems to be players for California teams. Not sure if the guy I got the collection from ever lived in CA. But having a somewhat random Jeff Brantley along with these makes me think they could be authentic. 

Thanks for any help!

Both don't look quite right.

I personally do not think the Drysdale is legit after studying his autograph. The Gwynn I feel is questionable but send them in to a grader if interested. We all could be surprised.

Thanks to you both for the input! The Tony Gwynn I mentioned that looked very similar is a current eBay listing for an ‘84 Fleer Tony Gwynn auto. When I googled Tony Gwynn autos as a general search I didn’t see much similarity but then I saw some of those listings and they seemed close. But I’m also skeptical on the Drysdale. I’ll send ‘em both off and follow up with good or bad news once they get back!

I will chime in my two cents on the Gwynn. That signature looks like one of his. It isn't one of the more common signatures you will see of his, but it is common enough.

Saw you’re a Gwynn collector so that makes it even more promising! Thank you! 

In my opinion, I would agree that the Tony Gwynn appears authentic, based on an authenticated example from PSA [1]. However, I do not believe the Drysdale is, based on authenticated examples. The majority of his signatures I have come across appear very "loopy" and usually as a "single word" (first name last name on same line, lack of spacing between) [2]. Whereas yours appears to be more defined in signing his name. I understand signatures may vary over time or due to other circumstances, so keep that in mind.

[1] https://www.ebay.com/itm/134805895052

[2] https://www.ebay.com/itm/266487704992

From everything I've seen on Drysdale, the Open D he writes makes his first name look like Alan. It looks highly suspect to me. As for the gwynn, You're mostly going to find the Script G, but I agree with YoRicha it's likely authentic.

The Gwynn looks legit, but I am not an autograph expert.  The Don D. card, based on what I am seeing, is questionable. With that said, players sometimes change their signatures over time. Casey Mize has done this...he went from a full name to a first initial and a sloppier last name. If it's an early autograph, then you might have a legit autograph.  Companies like JSA have multiple images by players who have done this, but unlike the card companies, they don't encapsulate the item.  

Drysdale was known for having his secretary sign mailed requests for autographs - that would be my guess as to what this is.

While the Gwynn signature does look consistent with how he signed, I'd check to make sure it is not a stamped signature.  I am not aware whether mailed autograph requests to Gwynn were stamped, but it was also not an unusual practice at the time.