Something struck me as I was looking through Mastro's game used helmets which closed last night.
Based on Mastro changing the facemask on the Kellen Winslow game used helmet to a style that was actually worn by Winslow (the replacement was not game used) and Heritage replacing broken clips on the Terry Bradshaw game used helmet with ones of the proper style (not game used) it caused me to look closer at the words being used in the auction descriptions.
Collecting game used is based on a leap of faith. We didn't get the items from the players first hand, and we cannot see the items in person if they're in a catalog or on the internet, so we must rely on the item description.
Mastro had a helmet which was listed as a Willie Brown game used helmet, which has Brown's number 24 on the rear. But the item description says, "Beneath the left ear hole, a black marker notation of "24" has been partially obscured by a notation of "20," suggesting possible subsequent use by Neal Colzie or I.M. Hipp. "
So it's possible that after #24 Willie Brown used this helmet, it was used by #20 Neal Colzie or I.M. Hipp.
Why is there a 24 on the rear of the helmet if it could have been used after Brown by a #20?
Why would that be in the description? HOnestly, it made me wonder- did someone change the number on the rear of the helmet back to 24?
Otherwise- why would you think it had been used by a #20 after Brown?
It's certainly possible a change was made to the helmet- in current auctions changes were made by mastro on winslow and hannah helmets and heritage on the bradshaw helmet.
Look at the description of the numbers-
"Flanking the stripe at the base are the numerals "2" and "4," which are adhered in black decals (of proper mil depth for the period)"
It doesn't say it's the original numbers and it doesn't say it isn't.
The fact that auction houses are now making artistic decisions on these pieces make me feel like it's an even greater leap of faith to look at the details of things these days.
Just throwing it out there.
Eric
Based on Mastro changing the facemask on the Kellen Winslow game used helmet to a style that was actually worn by Winslow (the replacement was not game used) and Heritage replacing broken clips on the Terry Bradshaw game used helmet with ones of the proper style (not game used) it caused me to look closer at the words being used in the auction descriptions.
Collecting game used is based on a leap of faith. We didn't get the items from the players first hand, and we cannot see the items in person if they're in a catalog or on the internet, so we must rely on the item description.
Mastro had a helmet which was listed as a Willie Brown game used helmet, which has Brown's number 24 on the rear. But the item description says, "Beneath the left ear hole, a black marker notation of "24" has been partially obscured by a notation of "20," suggesting possible subsequent use by Neal Colzie or I.M. Hipp. "
So it's possible that after #24 Willie Brown used this helmet, it was used by #20 Neal Colzie or I.M. Hipp.
Why is there a 24 on the rear of the helmet if it could have been used after Brown by a #20?
Why would that be in the description? HOnestly, it made me wonder- did someone change the number on the rear of the helmet back to 24?
Otherwise- why would you think it had been used by a #20 after Brown?
It's certainly possible a change was made to the helmet- in current auctions changes were made by mastro on winslow and hannah helmets and heritage on the bradshaw helmet.
Look at the description of the numbers-
"Flanking the stripe at the base are the numerals "2" and "4," which are adhered in black decals (of proper mil depth for the period)"
It doesn't say it's the original numbers and it doesn't say it isn't.
The fact that auction houses are now making artistic decisions on these pieces make me feel like it's an even greater leap of faith to look at the details of things these days.
Just throwing it out there.
Eric
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