Mastro - 2006 Shaquille O'Neal Finals jersey

[kingjammy24]

"Shaquille O'Neal 2005-06 World Champions Miami Heat Game Worn NBA Finals Road Jersey"

Lot #889

http://www.mastroauctions.com/index....t&CurrentRow=1

"The jersey, worn in Game 2 at Dallas, shows appropriate light use. Graded A-5 by MEARS. LOA from Mastro Auctions."



getty is replete with images of o'neal from game 2 of the '06 finals. none of the images show the front number placement, patch placement, or nob arch seen on the mastro jersey.

rudy.

[yanks12025]

These last couple of jerseys has not made Mears look good. They messed up this one and also that Albert Pujols one acouple of weeks ago. Did you send mastro anything.

[trsent]

These last couple of jerseys has not made Mears look good. They messed up this one and also that Albert Pujols one acouple of weeks ago. Did you send mastro anything.

I would like to see the MEARS letter before you state that they don't look good. They may have authenticated the jersey as Game Used from that season and didn't attributed it to that game.

[David]

As Trsent said, you have to read the MEARS LOO before you know what it claims. in particular as they graded the jersey A5 not A10.

[kingjammy24]

dave grob responds:

----------------------------------------------------------
I have been asked about the Shaquille O’Neal jersey currently offered in Mastro’s Auction. The jersey was graded as an A5. Comments for this jersey per the letter for Cert # 304225 are as follows:

Comments:
The Heat wore black road jerseys in Game 2 of the NBA finals. NBA finals patch has been reattached. Jersey style photo matched -- Getty Images #71224229 and #71224232.

MEARS made NO definitive claim or attribution that this shirt was worn during Game 2 of the finals. Collectors are also reminded that the definition for jerseys graded A5 includes this language:

“that was manufactured for player use or as an extra for a team or player, or one that may have been made available for retail sale or promotion.”

Dave Grob
----------------------------------------------------------------

the mears letter simply stated that the heat wore the black style jerseys in game 2. apparently mastro then took that comment and stated that o'neal wore this particular jersey in game 2.

that's not the only disconcerting issue however. the mears letter also mentions the fact that the patch has been reattached. clearly it's a pertinent piece of information that mastro seems to have omitted from the description.

i don't think it's mears who dropped the ball on this one. oddly enough, the twisting of facts (from "the heat wore this style in game 2" to "o'neal wore this exact jersey in game 2") and the omission of the reattached patch would seem to make the jersey appear more valuable than it is.

rudy.

[otismalibu]

Does reattached mean the patch was on, then it was off, and now it's back on?

[kingjammy24]

Does reattached mean the patch was on, then it was off, and now it's back on?

greg,

that's how i would read it. it seems that would qualify as an alteration and it's widely accepted and commonly known in the hobby that alterations play a major role in determining authenticity. mears informed mastro of the alteration and yet it didn't appear in the description.

on another note, look what i found at jersey-joe.com:

http://www.jersey-joe.com/PATCH_NBA_FINALS.html

rudy.

[bondsfan]

The statement made by Mears below is a copout

"Collectors are also reminded that the definition for jerseys graded A5 includes this language:

“that was manufactured for player use or as an extra for a team or player, or one that may have been made available for retail sale or promotion.”

THat statement and the A5 grade they place on jerseys doesn't keep them from selling A5 shirts as "game worn jerseys". They have 9 or 10 A5 football jerseys alone for sale right now that list as "game worn".

If they can claim they are game worn and sell them as such then they shouldn't be able to use the claim above when it is convenient for them.

Coveh

[trsent]

The statement made by Mears below is a copout

"Collectors are also reminded that the definition for jerseys graded A5 includes this language:

“that was manufactured for player use or as an extra for a team or player, or one that may have been made available for retail sale or promotion.”

THat statement and the A5 grade they place on jerseys doesn't keep them from selling A5 shirts as "game worn jerseys". They have 9 or 10 A5 football jerseys alone for sale right now that list as "game worn".

If they can claim they are game worn and sell them as such then they shouldn't be able to use the claim above when it is convenient for them.

Coveh

Coveh, I do not understand what the issue is. MEARS certifies items and they will stand behind their certification and they will explain and answer questions when people have them. Please advise what other 3rd party authenticator in this entire industry will answer questions about their certification and will stand behind their service?

MEARS has a format where they appear to do more homework than any other 3rd party authenticator in the industry, and then if questions are asked them come forward with answers.

So, their letter states that the patch was "reattached" and they do not attribute the jersey to being worn in that individual game. They wrote a letter stating that the jersey matches what fits for a game used/team issued jersey. Mastro Auctions may have assumed more, but without any team or player proof, A5 is the highest grade they can assign this jersey.

Dave Grob and I do not always see eye to eye, but in my opinion, as MEARS Policy Director he has made MEARS an honorable company that is open, honest and direct with any questions. They may sell items themselves, but each and every item they authenticate and sell is fully disclosed to this matter.

Please find me another company that will disclose such.

If you do not like it, you do not have to buy anything from them, but some people like to see that Dave Bushing bought an item, had MEARS authenticate it as they like to see the chain of ownership. They also know if Dave Bushing buys an item and MEARS authenticates is that they feel strong enough to stand behind the item.

Their full disclosure policy is the most honorable policy in the hobby today of any company of this nature. I challange others (say, American Memorabilia - 100% Authentic, for example) to disclose in their listing when they own and authenticated an item.

[Nathan]

Joel,

Although I know you weren't necessarily asking the question, MeiGray goes to incredible lengths to authenticate jerseys not originally from them and stands behind it.

There was a situation recently involving a Mike Bossy NY Islanders jersey that was submitted for authentication. Barry and Stu Oxenhorn managed to borrow over 1,000 negatives of Mike Bossy from the time period in question to analyze in an attempt to match the name and number fonts in addition to the wear patterns.

(Kind of makes an alleged 8,000 photo library look like crap, huh?)