1967 Topps Baseball Forum

Now that I'm completely focused on the 1967 Topps set, I want to point out a counterfeit Brook Robinson #600 card I noticed on Ebay.  This seller has numerous counterfeits for sale, but only vaguely identifies them as such.  I'm tempted to buy something just to leave negative feedback to inform the public.  I've already report him to Ebay, but I doubt they'll do anything about it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-TOPPS-600-BROOKS-ROBINSON/222757843905?hash=item33dd66f3c1:g:EwYAAOSwnw9aNKWb

looks like damaged on purpose to lead someone to believe it is old.

on some listings you can see better than others...the cardboard stock is too white (underneath) to be vintage card stock.

sometimes you have to look at multiple auctions as a picture of the overall seller, as some cards are easier to tell than others..

Funny that I didn't realize that I had another one of this guy's cards on my watchlist and only noticed it with 7 minutes to go in the auction.  This was the only missing card to complete my 1962 Topps set, and I came really close to falling for it..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/222757839208?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

I'll try to answer the question above about how I knew that the 1967 Topps #600 Brooks Robinson was counterfeit.  It first started when I noticed the wavey cut lines around the border showing that this was a hand-cut card.  Then I noticed the fake rounding at the corners from cuts rather than real wear.  On the back, the type of flaking away of the surface without any moisture damage pointed to intentional wear there.  For the coloration of the green and the white back surface, I had to try and imagine what the texture would feel like. It didn't seem right.   

It was was enough for me to look deeper into the seller's description which actually describes the card as "unknown" in the original/reprint box.  He used the typical phrase that it had to be listed as "unknown" because the card wasn't graded, which is usually a clear indicator of a counterfeit.  He heavily emphasized his no refund policy.  Then I looked at his other auctions, and noticed that all this seller has for sale are counterfeits.

I actually purchased a counterfeit 1962 Topps #594 card in the past and noticed that it was a fake right away when it arrived.  The card back was made of glossy material.  I threw a fit and the seller refunded my money.  When I went back to look at the online auction, I could see the shiny card back.  This guy doesn't seem to have shiny back cards though.

So I interpret this as meaning I’m just doomed. Either doomed to buying vintage stars only when they are graded or from my local shop. 

I would not have spotted the flaws that led you to believe the card is counterfeit. I’d be immediately suspicious of the low sale numbers and the “unknown” and the no refund policy. That would have saved me. The actual card?...I’m doomed. Makes me question a few of my eBay purchases, which all seem fine in hand, but I can’t be 100% certain....

Sorry you couldn’t finish 1962...yet. 

Sigh. 

I've bought some cards on eBay a few years back. I thought I was getting a pretty good deal, but I wonder sometimes.  I've never bought cards from the 60s, but a couple Ripken rookies i.e. came from eBay....

THAT is why I don't chase vintage unless I am trading with a well-respected person (or they are graded cards)! I have never bought a vintage card (as far as I recall) and therefore, I have no graded vintage cards. All of my vintage cards were obtained in trades or were part of a large collection I bought. And every single vintage card was meticulously scanned with my own eyes to verify that it's real as soon as I received it. Checking my collection will show that I don't have many, but I know that all of them are real.

There has been a couple of discussions here that has made me happy I don't even bother with ebay anymore. Everything from ridiculous shipping charges to counterfeit to non-delivery of items. Whta used to be a good thing has been destroyed by simple greed.

Counterfeit or not, disclaiming knowledge of authenticity is a violation of ebay listing rules. I always report them.  My rule of thumb, if they claim they don't know....they know.

I wouldn't have assumed this card a fake. Somebody went to great trouble to make that card look that bad. I've only seen two known fake cards in my 40+ years of collecting. Maybe I've just been lucky or maybe I have hundreds of fakes in my collection and just don't know it.

I know that fake cards exist. The two that I've seen were on a dealer's table at a Topeka, KS card show. He had them displayed (not for sale) to show people what to look for in fake cards. After he pointed out what to look for, I could see the differences. But some of things that he mentioned could be found in many cards; including legitimate cards.  

Its good practice to be wary of unkown ebay sellers, but there is a fine line between caution and paranoia. 

Just read my own post ----not saying anyone was over reacting to this card. I wouldn't have been on it because of the no return policy.......I don't trust anyone not willing to stand behind their product. Plus, I am far from an expert on fake cards.