Who can authenticate game-used jerseys?

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Who can authenticate game-used jerseys?

Maybe the reserve is unrealstically high. There is only so much people will pay for an item no matter who the letter is from. This particular item I can see not attracting much interest because:

1. It is a spring training jersey which always fetch less than regular season counterparts and

2. It is a coaches/instructors jersey which always fetch much less than a jersey worn while active.

So if I were you guys I would talk with the consignor about lowering the reserve it might solve your problems.

[commando]

Re: Who can authenticate game-used jerseys?

The bottom line, as I see it, is that people want to be sure they're buying the real deal. An authentication service is supposed to provide peace of mind to a buyer, but nothing they say can be as ironclad as a letter from the spouse of the player who supposedly wore the items.

I guess I should also mention that this uniform is old enough to be unique. The combo of the uniform being one of a kind, ALONG with a nicely written letter from the former Mrs. Palmer should be more than enough for most collectors. Now it's just a matter of how many collectors will be interested and how much money they are ready to spend!

[trsent]

Re: Who can authenticate game-used jerseys?

I'm actually looking to sell things rather than buy them. They come directly from the family of the player. Would a letter from the family be more convincing than a review from MEARS? Also, do you have to sell an item through MEARS or will they simply just authenticate? Thanks.

Personally, a letter from Mrs. Palmer wouldn't hurt this item. If it was submitted to MEARS it may help create a higher grade.

I just work for Schulte Sports/Auctions. I don't know if the jersey will hit the reserve set by the family and wanted to know if additional authentication would increase the value. I wanted to get a sense of who people want these items authenticated by. For example, we recently stopped accepting autographs from GAI, and only go with PSA and JSA now. I'm sure some of you will disagree, but a lot of GAI items weren't being approved by JSA and we don't want to take any chances. Right now we use Lampson for our jerseys and it seems like most people aren't big fans of his. I suppose you can't please everybody.

I'm pretty sure MEARS won't authenticate an item for another auction house. The policy I remember is that they will write a letter for a collector for their personal collection, but they will not authenticate for the purpose of selling the item at an auction house other than their's.

I know if an auction house is willing to let MEARS audit their auctions and bidding activity, in order to guarantee a 100% legitimate auction with no shill bidding, they used to be hired to authenticate for certain auctions houses. I do not know if they still offer this service, but if any auction house accepts this policy their books will be subject to MEARS inspection.

To be honest with you, I don't believe a Jim Palmer Spring Training uniform will have much value. The real value would be with anything he wore in auction game situations over his career.

[kmantm64]

Re: Who can authenticate game-used jerseys?

Thank you everyone. I think the general consensus is stick with the family letter for this item. I really didn't mean to make this go on so long.

[trsent]

Re: Who can authenticate game-used jerseys?

Thank you everyone. I think the general consensus is stick with the family letter for this item. I really didn't mean to make this go on so long.

No problem, it is a fun discussion.

[skinsfan0521]

Re: Who can authenticate game-used jerseys?

Thank you everyone. I think the general consensus is stick with the family letter for this item. I really didn't mean to make this go on so long.

Yeah, I think that the general consensus is that the letter would be fine.

But the real lesson to be learned is to not have anything to do with Lou Lampson. Nobody trusts that guy and it's not for no reason. He authenticates anything that they pay him to authenticate as far as I'm concerned.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Who can authenticate game-used jerseys?

I think Mrs. Palmer's letter supercedes anything that a third-party authenticator could add to it...and this is coming from a third-party authenticator.

Dave Miedema