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Eric, you know my position. Howard stated that I defended James Brown and I asked him to reprint any post where I have. I am so confused, but the comment embarassed me and I am still waiting for his answer, not a copy of a post from some Malibu guy who was upset because I have drifted in my posts over time.
Howard Wolf is like the Elliot Spitzer of this forum!.. Anyway Howard, can you look into this with Dave Grob for me. I figured sicne you've spoken with him, maybe you can pass this along, or get a response, as this seems to be a bigger travesty than a George Brett BP jersey:
I would like to know MEARS was able to in good conscience, to authenticate the Yogi Berra's catcher's mask in Robert Edwards auction that went for $15,000. They are well aware that these same masks could be purchased from a catalogue back then. So my question is - What distinguished it as Berra's mask? Were there any markings that linked it to Berra? Did they ask Yogi how he was able to authenticate it devoid of distinguishing characteristics and write them a letter? Or did they simply take his word for it? Notice that Dave Busing owned the mask and also note that the Letter that Yogi signed cost $1,500, which seems like a TON of money for a letter.
Joel-
I see that once again you are true to your old colors, "DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU". Just continue to be the mouth piece for all of the auction houses that are too chicken shi- to come on here and actually respond to an item in question. I think the recent post by OTISMALIBU sums you up quite well.......
If ABC Auction house listed the Shroud of Turin today and it had a Wilson tag and 3" of extra length, trsent would be the first to defend it.
And sprinkle in these references to:
- poker - his ignore list - where he's living - someone's lack of debating skills - a big name playa that he just got off the phone with
I'm not even sure if trsent is a real person. Might just be a board auto-response to the questioning of any item.
I'd like to add that Howard would be the first to correct the board and let them know that HIS shroud of Turin was devoid of the extra length tag, and anyone who collects shrouds knows that they are cut to be tight fitting and never have extra length. He would then rip on Lou Lampson for authenticating the Ripken St. patty's Day jersey and reiterate that AMI is the worst auction house becasue they don't pay their consignors on time
You know, I don't want this to become a find what's wrong with Joel, find what's wrong with Howard thread. We both have those who find us unappealing, but we both have a place in the sun.
I do have my own flock forming as posted when I was awaken by a call about a post that had nothing to do with me this morning.
You guys, forget who started the thread, it doesn't matter! There's a George Brett BP jersey that is not only being listed as "game worn" but AUTHENTICATED (?) as game worn that has absolutely no evidence (and of course we don't count an autograph) that George Brett ever wore it. None - zippo - nada - iie (that's my Japanese I remember for no). So, how about we stop attacking Howard and start wondering how anyone can offer a LOA of authenticity based on "Hey, he signed it, has some wear, he must have wore it!!!"
Topekabob- Thanks for trying to get this train wreck back on the tracks and providing a quick summary of what I was asking in my original post.......
HOW CAN A GENERIC PRE-GAME WITH NO PLAYER I.D. BE ATTRIBUTED TO GEORGE BRETT AND HAVE A GREY FLANNEL LOA STATING IT IS A GAMER FROM BRETT????????
I sent an email to the folks at Grey Flannel through their own website and also another email directly to Richie Russek's attention at Grey Flannel (2 separate emails) asking the same question and seeking an answer. As of this post, I have not had a response to either.
Dave CollectGU-I have emailed Dave Grob in past about my concerns with specific items that have the MEARS LOA. He has ALWAYS answered me directly and within a day. No need for me to get involved in your concern about the Berra mask or hold your hand. If you go to the MEARS site, you will be provided with an email address that will allow you to send a message to Grob. Joel Alpert also suggests a similar path for me to communicate with Richie at Grey Flannel. Joel suggested I have a friend send Richie an email, as this may get a response. This is ridiculous. If auction houses or authenticators can't be held accountable or take the time to address concerns about their items, then it should be brought to light. This "hobby" is simply too big and too much $$$ is involved for this type of behavior. Bottom line-if you write a LOA and profit from it, then by all means you should also be held accountable when questioned about a concern relating to this item.
After discussions with Eric last week and a weekend away from business, I am now officially making my post that Eric and I discussed that I make at this moment in time.
While heavily debating with a fine fellow forum member, our debate got hot and heavy and I used a term of slang that was offensive. It was meant in fun, but I can also see where the term would have been considered offensive to people who don't know how often I take issues to the point of my warped sense of humor crossing the line of fine behavior.
In the meantime I am sorry if my now removed use of slang offended anyone, I was not trying to do such.
As for my debate on the forum, I have two points left:
1. I was attempting to tell a friend not to email or contact a company with their issues with an item, as from what I have been told their emails are not read because of previous discussions between the two. There has to be another way, because if the concerns are genuine, the company will never receive them from him personally.
2. A statement was made that stated that I defended an auction house in the past. Defense means that I attempted to prove an item or items genuine that may have been brought into question on the forum. Needless to say, I felt this statement defaming to me, because I never once defended the auction house in question. I did spent countless hours trying to work with the auction house for the future of the industry and for their future, but in the end promises were not kept and I broke off ties of this nature. For the record, I have spoken to such individual once since I broke off ties because I felt promises were not kept to me and this forum.
I believe in this industry just as my fellow forum member does and in our debate I felt my integrity was challenged as if I was attempting to keep questionable items out of the industry. This is not the case, I try to get along with both sides of the industry and sometimes my intentions are taken the wrong way.
As is the Forum policy, I emailed Richie Russek at both his email address he has communicated with me in the past and also the general Grey Flannel email address about my concerns with this jersey. Please see my initial post regarding these concerns. Several days have passed, however, I have yet to receive any type of response. I did hear from several Forum readers, however, that have knowledge with Royals and pre-game jerseys. From these emails, the authenticity of this particular jersey is questioned by ALL. There is absolutely nothing about this jersey that would allow one to write a LOA attributing this to the 1993 season and/or ever being worn by Brett. It appears that this is a generic pre-game that Brett has autographed in 1993 and noted as such.
I have recently had similar authenticity concerns with shirts that have LOA's from MEARS, Hunts and Vintage Authentics. After sending an email to all 3, I heard back the same day as the email being sent. Likewise, Mears/Hunts agreed that a particular jersey in question had tagging issues, and as such, removed it from the upcoming Hunts auction. Folks, this is called integrity and ethics. I am hopeful that my similar concern with the Brett jersey will be answered, and I eagerly await hearing back from Richie or someone at Grey Flannel.
I have recently had similar authenticity concerns with shirts that have LOA's from MEARS, Hunts and Vintage Authentics. After sending an email to all 3, I heard back the same day as the email being sent. Likewise, Mears/Hunts agreed that a particular jersey in question had tagging issues, and as such, removed it from the upcoming Hunts auction.
Hello Howard,
I read your comment above and was hoping you could clarify something for me. I am presuming the above comment was made in reference to the George Brett jersey that was slated to be in Hunts' upcoming auction and later removed. If that is correct, I'm a little unclear regarding your statement that Mears/Hunt agreed there were tagging issues.
Specifically, when I read the thread on the Mears website it appeared there were two questions that needed to be addressed. According to the Mears site you expressed concerns that:
1) The jersey had tagging issues; and
2) The jersey was owned by Dave Bushing in conjunction with Hunt auction and was authenticated by Mears.
However, while your comment above makes it seem as though there was a recognition of the tagging issue, I didn't see anything in Dave Grob's post suggesting that was the case. I believe Dave Grob stated the reason they took the jersey out of the auction was based on the conflict of interest issue. And, unless I read the post incorrectly, I don't think there was ever any recognition of any issues with the tagging.
Thus, I was hoping you could clarify if there were, in fact, issues with the tagging or if it was simply a conflict of interest issue. That is, if the jersey was not owned by Bushing would it have been allowed to remain in auction?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Sincerely,
Chris
Christopher Cavalier
Consignment Director - Heritage Auctions
Chris-
Great points. Grob indicates that he desires to availd any conflicts of interest. Although this may be what is in writing on their site, he is also aware that the tagging is not standard Wilson issue and thus, the jersey is bogus. Regardless of him making note of the tagging, he is aware of it.
I suggest you copy Dave Grob and the folks at MEARS with this same question and seek their reply, as well.
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