Arrest at the National?

[cjw]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Certainly not trying to defend the man charged or his actions, but if this updated story is quoting correctly, (regarding the Gov't's case surrounding details of the Arod jersey) then a false conclusion has been made.

http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/vintage-authentics-investigation-continuing/

"The conclusion was reached for a number of reasons, including that (a) the Mariners kept all of the home jerseys issued to players in 1995,"

There are 1995 M's home jersey in the market and more are getting out each day thanks to the recent team store find/sale.

Just saying.....

[gnishiyama]

Re: Arrest at the National?

If you read the article, the agent returned the 1999 All-Star Game McGwire jersey as fake after McGwire himself said it had to be fake because he owned the real one. So there wasn't much gray area there about its authenticity and why it was being returned in that instance.

I do and always will have a problem with the above quote because
we have all seen time and time again players not really knowing
what they are talking about. Much of what they say has to be
taken with a grain of salt. It's just too bad McGwire's word
in itself will probably hold up in the court of law NO MATTER WHAT..
does anyone else see the irony?

It leads me back to reading how Barry Halper would have players
"authenticate" items that were later found to be fake. Also
all those bad ASI and Elite game used jerseys with completely inaccurate
game-used inscriptions.

I would take Jeff Scott's information about authenticating real Pujols
gamers over Pujols' word any day. A player can say whatever
he wants.

I'm not saying McGwire is lying but with what we know now about
players and the hobby, their word by itself should be not be good enough.

Goh Nishiyama

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: Arrest at the National?

This situation just proves the value of this forum and its members.

[DoctorLoomis]

Re: Arrest at the National?

I know with 1000000% CERTAINTY that Jensen and VA have sold bad jerseys. I told him it was bad...and presented ROCK SOLID PROOF it was bad...he auctioned it anyway. Further, as the Tom Brady game used lid thread from a couple weeks ago shows, VA has and continues to try and sell items that are questionable....at best. I have no sympathy for him....I hope he goes down.

[DeacDoug]

Re: Arrest at the National?

I would to thank Jeff for educating me and the forum on the Cards' 2002 patches. I know he went to some trouble to do this. After reviewing my "Pujois" jersey, the patches clearly fall into the retail or suspect category. There is no 3D effect and the stitching is not the professional kind done on real jerseys. It is highly doubtful that the jersey is a real one.

If the FBI and Postal Inspectors are really interested in these alleged crimes, I think they need to follow the trail of consignors to uncover where the bogus jerseys really originated. It is one or few folks doing this or are there a bunch of crooks doing this nationwide? They are the real evil folks in this mess, and some are pretty good at creating a professional jersey likeness.

It would help if the auction houses cared more about the long-term health of the business and if Lou would spend more time authenticating each jersey. He probably sees more jerseys than anybody so he should have gained some expertise in this area. As a practical matter, however, nobody can be an expert on every sports team.

[Birdbats]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Here's a thread about my one encounter with VA. They didn't agree with me at first, but they eventually pulled the jersey.

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=34901&highlight=1996+ozzie

[Birdbats]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Again, I request any info to definitely establish that my 2002 road Pujois is not good.

The first things I examine on a 2002 Cardinals jersey are the memorial patches. You can tell the ones that were sewn on by the pros at Liebe Athletic Lettering and the ones that were attached by amateurs. Compare the patches on your jersey to these photos and determine if yours is closer to the high-quality, tightly stitched patches or the lesser-quality, looser-stitched patches. Note the differences in how the letters are embroidered. Also note that the patches on real jerseys are ironed on before they're sewn, resulting in the letters appearing almost 3D inside the sleeve.



Could be a minor point, but the set/year flags on every legit 2002 Cards jersey I've seen is sewn flush right with the Majestic tag.

[scottanservitz]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Hello fellow members. I just got back from the National and I just happened to watch this whole thing go down. I was innocently strolling the floors when I saw the postal police come in and walking in a fast and determined pace. As the interested person that I am I had to follow. The inspectors got to Jensen's booth and since there were about 8-10 of them he knew he was in some trouble. They patted him down, went through his wallet and cuffed him. At this point it became obvious to me why my wife and I never miss an episode of Cops! Well they read Jensen his Miranda Rights and escorted off. Now at this time there was a buzz in the room and people were asking what the heck was going on. The dealer that was next to VA's booth told me that apparently he sold and mailed fraudulent merchandise. I assume he heard the Postals telling Jensen the reason. All I can say is that it was a very surreal and kind of disheartening ordeal to me. I've sold to Steve before back at the Atlantic City show some years back and he was very cordial and interesting to me back then. Believe me, I don't know the specifics of this situation, but if he is proven guilty and is in fact guilty, I just can't feel sorry for him. If he isn't proven guilty, I think that this will somewhat tarnish his reputation. In the end though, I am glad that there are people trying to clean up our hobby and make it a better place for us as collectors! I truly enjoy this hobby and deep down kind of doubt that this is not the last time something like this is going to happen. Hope this doesn't get too long winded but thought you guys wanted a first hand perspective on what went down.

Scott

On a positive note, this was the best National I've attended in terms of game used that I've attended! And I picked up a gem that I will share in another thread. Also stopped by GUU's booth and had a nice chat with a gentleman there! Props to them!

[Birdbats]

Re: A player's claim....

Am I alone in thinking that purchasing or owning a Pujols jersey, specifically 2002, now comes with an almost irreversible doubt cloud? I have always wanted one but barring it has multiple photomatchs, MLB certification, a DNA swab of hair and matching blood stain with corresponding CSI documents and was taken off Albert's back and handed to you personally, I'll pass thanks.

I've been telling collectors for years to be careful when considering Pujols jerseys because, while I've never been in Albert's closet, I know someone who has. He's seen the stack of gamers Albert has. Albert keeps most of his jerseys. Thus, the supply and demand issues. But, in the past month, I've seen four legit Pujols jerseys on the market. Hunt had two (2003 road and 2005 home) in its ASG auction. There was a 2011 home jersey sold on eBay that originated from a Koman Foundation raffle. And there was a 2006 spring training home shirt on eBay. Legit jerseys can be had. They're few and far between, but they're out there. So, don't give up. You may not find a hammered, regular-season gamer. But one-game-use jerseys, spring training shirts and other charity-auctioned jerseys do pop up. Just do your homework and make sure the provenance is rock solid.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Arrest at the National?

why is anyone even using and paying lampson for his tarnished BS LOA's at the present???? do people actually still hold value to his LOA's?

Not certain, but working cheaply and giving a thumbs up to just about anything he's shown are two possibilities.

Dave Miedema

[sammy]

Re: Arrest at the National?

....hence, no credit cards accepted.

[David]

Re: Arrest at the National?

I should note that most to all consignment auction houses won't accept a return, particularly much later, unless they agree there is a major problem in authenticity, condition and/or lot description. They aren't going to accept a return if there is nothing wrong with the item and/or auction description. If they feel there is nothing wrong with the item, they won't take it back.

[gingi79]

Re: A player's claim....

So what happens when a collector pays thousands of dollars for an original game used jersey (authenticated), only to have the player claim it wasn't one of his jerseys - or in the case of Albert Pujols, makes a claim that they themselves have the only jerseys issued (for a given year).

Am I alone in thinking that purchasing or owning a Pujols jersey, specifically 2002, now comes with an almost irreversible doubt cloud? I have always wanted one but barring it has multiple photomatchs, MLB certification, a DNA swab of hair and matching blood stain with corresponding CSI documents and was taken off Albert's back and handed to you personally, I'll pass thanks.

[RJB44]

A player's claim....

So what happens when a collector pays thousands of dollars for an original game used jersey (authenticated), only to have the player claim it wasn't one of his jerseys - or in the case of Albert Pujols, makes a claim that they themselves have the only jerseys issued (for a given year).

[ivo610]

Re: Arrest at the National?

Things like this are very very good for the Hobby.

Just wonder if those auction catalogs are going to be half size from now on...