Cal Ripken GU Helmet for only $5.995 Million!!!

[camarokids]

Is this guy for real or did he type a few too many zeroes???? Wonder what he's been drinking???

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cal-Ripken-Jr-Ga...QQcmdZViewItem

[yanks12025]

Thats alot of listing fee's.

[markize]

the funniest thing is that mears said Ripken didn't wear it. Why put that in the listing if trying to pass it off as Ripkens?

mark

[mr.miracle]

Actually, when I listed this, I was completely sober if you can believe that and this was intended completely. After listing this helmet for the past four months and having offers of $25.00, $35.00, $50.00 and the list goes on and on, I decided to list this at a ridiculous price just to get some attention. I guess that worked. Since I paid $4000.00 for the helmet, I really did not want to let it go for $25.00. I am sure you can see my reasoning in this.

The listing price does not change unless it sells. I am only paying I believe $2.00 to list it.

In terms of why I listed it that Mears did not pass it is because I received an entire verbal tongue lashing on here two years ago when I tried to sell it without the entire Mears story behind it. Some of you guys are unbelievable. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't. If I don't list the Mears findings, am I not purposely trying to hide something? I am trying to be completely up front with no questions on this helmet at least in terms of everything that I know about it. Maybe I should just go in there edit the listing and hide the whole Mears thing. That way the forum would actually have something interesting to discuss for once.

[markize]

Actually, when I listed this, I was completely sober if you can believe that and this was intended completely. After listing this helmet for the past four months and having offers of $25.00, $35.00, $50.00 and the list goes on and on, I decided to list this at a ridiculous price just to get some attention. I guess that worked. Since I paid $4000.00 for the helmet, I really did not want to let it go for $25.00. I am sure you can see my reasoning in this.

The listing price does not change unless it sells. I am only paying I believe $2.00 to list it.

In terms of why I listed it that Mears did not pass it is because I received an entire verbal tongue lashing on here two years ago when I tried to sell it without the entire Mears story behind it. Some of you guys are unbelievable. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't. If I don't list the Mears findings, am I not purposely trying to hide something? I am trying to be completely up front with no questions on this helmet at least in terms of everything that I know about it. Maybe I should just go in there edit the listing and hide the whole Mears thing. That way the forum would actually have something interesting to discuss for once.

Brett,

Ok, I applaud your honesty. But how can you expect to be taken seriously with the listing price? Also, how can you expect to get good money for something an authenticator most people trust says is not legit? I'm sorry if you were offended by my comments, but honestly, don't you think most people were thinking the same thing as the original post?

Mark

[mr.miracle]

Brett,

Ok, I applaud your honesty. But how can you expect to be taken seriously with the listing price? Also, how can you expect to get good money for something an authenticator most people trust says is not legit? I'm sorry if you were offended by my comments, but honestly, don't you think most people were thinking the same thing as the original post?

Mark

At this point, I don't expect anyone to take that auction seriously as nobody has from day one anyway. Based on ridiculous offers of $25.00 and repeated offers in that neighborhood. Now I will grant you that ultimately it cannot ever be determined if this helmet is authentic and I have argued long and hard with Troy Kinnuen at MEARS about the helmet because I think his logic is as flawed in shooting it down as people may say mine is in defending it legitimacy. In any case, even if it was not a Ripken helmet, a game used Orioles helmet from the mid 80's even from a common player would sell for several hundreds based on scarcity alone.

Although I generally trust Mears, in this case I just think their logic is completely flawed but I am NOT going to go back into that whole mess again. That being said, Mears has had more than their fair share of major mistakes over the years many of which have been pointed out on this forum numerous times so I am not sure exactly what to say to your statement. Since nobody was taking this auction serious from day one, there is no reason to think that anybody ever would whether I was selling the helmet for $950.00, $2500.00, $5000.00 or $5 million. By the way, I was selling it for $950.00 for a month and got nothing but ridiculous offers.

Like I said, the bottom line is, should I lie about it like many sellers would probably try to do just to make a buck. I want everyone to know that Mears examined it. I have reason to think Mears is wrong but it is ultimately up to the individual potential buyer to decide that for themselves.

Do I expect anybody to take this seriously. Absolutely not at this point. Did I expect to ever have any issue with this helmet when I purchased it five years ago absolutely not. I had zero thought or question when I bought it that it was not 100% legit. When I had it authenticated on the outside chance that I might need to sell it someday, I was shocked and dumbfounded when Mears said it was not legit. I thought if the day ever came that I needed to sell it I would easily get $5 or $6k but such is life I suppose.

[mr.miracle]

Brett,

Ok, I applaud your honesty. But how can you expect to be taken seriously with the listing price? Also, how can you expect to get good money for something an authenticator most people trust says is not legit? I'm sorry if you were offended by my comments, but honestly, don't you think most people were thinking the same thing as the original post?

Mark

That question is what drives me absolutely nuts. You are right, though, people will ulitmately put more faith in an authenticator than the source of the item, the seller, etc. I personally could care less if the item has been authenticated, has not been or comes with an LOA from Jesus himself. LOA's and authenticators are worthless to me but in this day and age, everyone thinks that it is fake if it does not have the LOA and if it does it must be as good as gold.

What I am hoping with this helmet is that people will look at all of the evidence presently proveance etc. and make a sound judgement based on those facts. Sadly, the authentication or lack thereof will probably always win out. In my many years dealing with Alan Sesserago the original owner of this helmet, I have never known him to sell anything non-legit. This is the only questionable item that I have ever known him to have in his collection and this did not come to light until I had it authenticated. He fully stands behind the item 100% at this point as well. Several other people have dealt with Alan on this board and have spoken very highly of him. Is it possible he had one bad apple in the basket? Who knows, ultimately we never will unless I can ever get to a point to ask Cal Ripken Jr. face to face, but then again, he signed the helmet and if it was not his why would he have signed it to begin with? Ripken does not signed game used equipment that is not his if he knows it is not his and believe me, he knows what is and is not his, his memory is incredible.

Because of Mears excellent work on this helmet I now have a $250.00 conversation piece instead of a $5 or $6k game worn Ripken helmet. Of course, nobody twisted my arm to get the thing authenticated it was my choice. I guess that is the risk you run with anything you have authenticated.

I have been buying and selling game used Ripken items for over 20 years I guess close to 25 now and never have I sold anything to anybody that I was ashamed to sell or trying to hide. I never have and I never will. My name and my integrity is too important to me to do that.

[allstarsplus]

Brett is truly a great guy and luckily has many great legit Cal pieces in his collection. He could have thrown this helmet out to an auction house and burned the Mears findings and hid in anonymity hoping nobody would notice because the auction wouldn't disclose its consignor but he as always is upfront and not hiding.

He isn't the first guy with a questionable Cal item as I can remember heated debates on a Cal Ripken glove last year.

I think Brett is right that there is a value in it as it is a legit game used helmet and maybe/maybe not was used by Cal.

I wish Brett luck!!!!

[Capital-Sports]

Brett,

I respect that you stated MEARS findings in your auction. An authenticators findings in research, whether and autograph or game used item is still soley based on an opinion. Although they couldn't directly link the helmet to Ripken, it still does not mean it could've been worn by him. The provenance that comes with it, etc, should help you out, but if I was the owner I would def try and find as many photos, facts, of the item. People tend to jump on the whole its not authentic bandwagon without even trying to prove it, just because it doesn't have a COA or LOA. I think you could be sitting on a nice item, and you should find more evidence on it. I'm sure you have done all the research the internet has allowed you to do, but there are plenty of other ways on doing it. I think its a great helmet, and I wish you best of luck with your item. In looking at the autograph of Cal's, which appears to be an earlier version of his, If the item was bogus would he sign it? Or maybe is was a standard game worn Orioles lid with an 8 added after he signed it? Questions we might never know, but I think ultimately research will plays its part. I will be looking for photographic proof to help you, and will let you know of my findings.

Take care,

Mark

[mr.miracle]

Brett,

I respect that you stated MEARS findings in your auction. An authenticators findings in research, whether and autograph or game used item is still soley based on an opinion. Although they couldn't directly link the helmet to Ripken, it still does not mean it could've been worn by him. The provenance that comes with it, etc, should help you out, but if I was the owner I would def try and find as many photos, facts, of the item. People tend to jump on the whole its not authentic bandwagon without even trying to prove it, just because it doesn't have a COA or LOA. I think you could be sitting on a nice item, and you should find more evidence on it. I'm sure you have done all the research the internet has allowed you to do, but there are plenty of other ways on doing it. I think its a great helmet, and I wish you best of luck with your item. In looking at the autograph of Cal's, which appears to be an earlier version of his, If the item was bogus would he sign it? Or maybe is was a standard game worn Orioles lid with an 8 added after he signed it? Questions we might never know, but I think ultimately research will plays its part. I will be looking for photographic proof to help you, and will let you know of my findings.

Take care,

Mark

Hello Mark:

I appreciate the comments. If you do find anything let me know. Of course as we all know, the number of photos from the mid-80's on Getty, Corbis and several other photo sites I have searched is not nearly as comprehensive as today. So far, I have struck out on all of those sites but I will continue to look through the many photos in local print, books, magazines etc. for proof.

That being said, if anybody can produce a solid photo match of that Lid to Ripken, I will offer a $500.00 reward to that person. It must be conclusive on all parts but the offer is out there. $500.00 for an exact photo match. I am willing to even allow someone to examine the lid in person if that would assist them in doing some additional research.

Thanks,