1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

[aclben]

Hi all,

I've been a long time lurker and have really just started on my game used collection since the Giants opened up there Game Used store at AT&T park.

However, my latest acquisition is one of luck. I bought into a SBayCards Super Break Deluxe group break online and ended up with the #1 pick.

A Griffey gamer was pulled out of the box so naturally I was thrilled. After doing some research, I found that the jersey is likely from this auction and in fact, this exact listing:

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/ken_griffey_jr__1997_seattle_mariners_game_used_ro-lot161648.aspx

You can see the video of the break here (btwn minutes 4 and 5):

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/48498671

Outside of the MLB Authenticated items I pick up at the ballpark, I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to Game Used items... Doing some research, it seems that Legendary Auctions and Doug Allen have had some suspicious items in the past. However, it also appears that most of the auction houses seem to so I'm not sure if this is more a result of the statistical probability that a fake will eventually surface versus malicious practices by Legendary.

Any thoughts or opinions from the experts here?

Is MEARS worth the price to have the item authenticated?

All opinions welcome and thank you in advance for any help!








Thanks,

aclben

[BU54CB]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

Since the jersey has the Jackie Robinson Anniversary patch, why don't you try to photo match the jersey and save yourself some $$? With that patch it narrows the time it could be used down to a season.

[Hoosier39]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

Since the jersey has the Jackie Robinson Anniversary patch, why don't you try to photo match the jersey and save yourself some $$? With that patch it narrows the time it could be used down to a season.

I'm sure he's probably figured out the yr already from the auction listing, and I don't know, the year tag at the bottom of the jersey.

[3arod13]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

I'm sure he's probably figured out the yr already from the auction listing, and I don't know, the year tag at the bottom of the jersey.

1997

[Phil316]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

Most if not all Griffey Jr gamers from that time period came with a Mill Creek COA as that was who marketed his items. I would not be comfortable buying one without it. I would also look more into what size Jr took in 1997 and if other jerseys from that year had the extra length tag.

On a side note that was a cool video. Very exciting. What does a box cost?

[Hoosier39]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

1997

Uh huh, I was being sarcastic.

[3arod13]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

Uh huh, I was being sarcastic.

[Wrigley2010]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

It is common for Griffey gamers from the mid 90's to have the 2 inch extra length tagging. The jersey looks good to me but if you want paper work with it then Mears is certainly an option. Whatever you decide to do you have a great gamer from a future first ballot Hall of Famer.

[Hoosier39]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

If you do decide you want to sell it, and you send it to Mears for their auction, you won't have to pay for authentication. It will come with it.

[bgold]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

If you do decide you want to sell it, and you send it to Mears for their auction, you won't have to pay for authentication. It will come with it.

You sure about that? Mears charged me last time to authenticate my bats and for jsa "auction" loa's for autographs.

[Hoosier39]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

You sure about that? Mears charged me last time to authenticate my bats and for jsa "auction" loa's for autographs.

You're right. I just checked an invoice for a game used bat and was charged $5 for a Mears letter processing fee.

So ok, $5 then.

[bgold]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

You're right. I just checked an invoice for a game used bat and was charged $5 for a Mears letter processing fee.

So ok, $5 then.

It adds up when you consign multiple items, on top of their cut off your end, their bp grab, and you footing the ship bill.

I'm not saying they are a ripoff, it cost a lot of money to run a business and I don't fault them, but they charge you for their "authentication", which is really nothing more than an auction Mears letter aka a basic description (wow, so great, everyone does that), and a jsa "auction letter (wow, how could I ever live without one of those...).

[Phil316]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

It would be interesting to see other 1997 Griffey's to compare it too. Of course ones that actually came with a Griffey LOA/COA. You see lots of supposed 1997 gamers but with all third party authentication. I have seen a few with a Griffey LOA/COA but all are sized a 46.

All I can say is do your homework search the net and look for jerseys that come from Mill Creek Sports Cards or Unique.

[aclben]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

Most if not all Griffey Jr gamers from that time period came with a Mill Creek COA as that was who marketed his items. I would not be comfortable buying one without it. I would also look more into what size Jr took in 1997 and if other jerseys from that year had the extra length tag.

On a side note that was a cool video. Very exciting. What does a box cost?

I think boxes are about $3,000 so they sell slots for about $300 each. There were at least two game used jerseys on the sell sheet, the Griffey and a David Ortiz. I've watched a lot of these breaks and on average, the top 203 hits will be worth that $300 and the rest will be below with the worst "hits" being in the $50 range. There was another product called Heroes of Sports that had even bigger hits (ie Jeter gamers, Ruth signed balls) but an even heftier price tag.

Thanks for some of the early advice and opinions. Keep them coming!

Thanks,

aclben

[Hoosier39]

Re: 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Gamer - Calling on Experts!

It adds up when you consign multiple items, on top of their cut off your end, their bp grab, and you footing the ship bill.

I'm not saying they are a ripoff, it cost a lot of money to run a business and I don't fault them, but they charge you for their "authentication", which is really nothing more than an auction Mears letter aka a basic description (wow, so great, everyone does that), and a jsa "auction letter (wow, how could I ever live without one of those...).

That's everywhere though. No matter what auction house you go with, there will always be a fee of 10%-20% of the final price. But places like Goldin gives you a small discount for PSA authentication.

Mears, unless I'm missing something, charges for 15% or 20%(can't remember which one) and then $5 for their letter processing fee.

Long story short, if you plan on selling it, it's cheaper to go thru mears and not have to worry about spending $200 on getting it psa authenticated, etc.