The ebay Ripken helmet

[soxbats]

Re: The ebay Ripken helmet

"If you would have contacted me about the item as other potential bidders have done, then you would have received the same full disclosure that all the other people who contacted me received."

Brett, did the description indicate that there was additional information on the helmet and that any bidders should contact you for that information?

[mr.miracle]

Re: The ebay Ripken helmet

"If you would have contacted me about the item as other potential bidders have done, then you would have received the same full disclosure that all the other people who contacted me received."

Brett, did the description indicate that there was additional information on the helmet and that any bidders should contact you for that information?

Without pulling up the specific description as listed on ebay, it went something like this, the helmet comes with an LOA from former Orioles team photographer. Due to personal information contained in the LOA please contact me via ebay or at my personal email address at brettherman2131@hotmail.com and I will email this documentation to you. I must admit that I did not disclose anything specific in the auction listing regarding the MEARS LOA but have emailed all of the individual inquiries with something to the effect that this helmet was evaluated by MEARS and explained who they were and that their opinion is that the helmet is attributed to former Orioles playes Benny Ayala or Lee Lacy and not to Ripken. I informed the potential buyers if they wanted to view the LOA I would provide it to them through email as well but nobody asked to this point although Troy's summary originally posted in this thread is exactly what is listed on the LOA.

So to answer your question, and that of others, no, I did not provide absolute full disclosure up front with a copy of the LOA by MEARS posted on the auction page with the helmet. It is my opinion that the MEARS LOA is flawed but just like that, it is my opinion much as they have THEIR opinion on this helmet.

What really, really is upsetting is that due to what I would call sloppy, sloppy work, an item that would sell for well over $5k under normal circumstances if fully authenticated at Mastro, Lelands, Edwards etc. is now reduced to a $250.00 novelty piece no matter what outcome is ever decided about this helmet. Even if I can somehow photomatch it and that is certainly a big, big if, there will always now be questions about its authenticity and most likely nobody will touch it with a ten foot pole. In all my years collecting Ripken items I have seen a total of two mid 80's batting helmets so this is a really rare piece that should have commanded top dollar.

I spoke to Alan Sessarego again earlier tonight and he left me with this comment. Not a direct quote but to paraphrase, who are these authenticators exactly? I knew Cal, I knew the entire Orioles team, I have no idea who Benny Ayala is, I worked at Memorial Stadium for several years photographing on the field and came in contact and obtained many items from Orioles players, and Cal Ripken specifically. I have never, ever sold anybody anything that I was not sure was authentic in every facet and sense of the word. Yet here we are now people take the word of some supposed expert that probably has never even met this player or had any interaction with him at any point and we are supposed to take their word over someone that knew him and was around him every day for several years during the season.

Alan is no longer involved in sports memorabilia. He told me he never bought anything which is an interesting point in that nobody would have ever had any personal benefit as trying to pass something off as Cal Ripken game used or worn to Alan as there was no financial gain to be had. He told me he obtained most of his items directly from the players on the Orioles. Maybe in some huge cover up Orioles players were involved in changing the numbers on the batting helmets prior to giving these to Alan for no apparent reason whatsoever. Yeah, that must be it. Alan told me he pretty much sold the last of his items last year after about 20 years of it. He said he wants to wash his hands of all of this as he has moved on to other pursuits. I personally don't blame him as I most likely will begin to trim out my own collection and keep only a few special keepsakes as I am simply fed up with all the genuises out there that think they know it all and quite simply haven't got a clue. I have personally collected Cal Ripken Jr. almost exclusively for over 20 years and I am by no means an expert after all those years having handled and or viewed over 100 pieces of Ripken game used material. Yet, I am astounded by the impressive display of brain power exhibited by all the experts both here and elsewhere that have never done more than perhaps look at one or two Ripken items yet they are self annointed as the leading studies in this field and legends in their own minds.

Sorry for the rant, but hope that helps answer your questions.

Thanks