I have done a quick count. Between Mastro, REA, Heritage, Hunts, Sothebys, American Memorabilia, Bricol, etc. SCD/Mears must authenticate over 1,500 bats, jerseys, gloves and other game used material every year. This is a conservative number.
Now you have an anonymous person with an axe to grind who points out a half dozen mistakes over the past 5 years (mind you this includes a Mantle glove they never looked at) and acts like these guys are criminals.
The bottom line is the guys at SCD disclose what they own, are willing to stand up when they make a mistake and offer a lifetime guarantee. What more do you want?
Let me simply lay down one challenge. Name one person who does not fit under the Mears umbrella who is capable of authenticating a game used jersey. Just one! Also other than Taube/Malta name one game used bat authenticator who is capable of authenticating a game used bat. Just one!
Troy has wisely decided to stay off this forum because everything he tries to do for this hobby simply gets thrown back at him. I for one appreciate what these guys do and believe guys like Vikes lack credibility.
Any guess who wrote this? Here is a hint: This individual has intimate knowledge of SDCA/MEARS-# of letters written, accounts, and details about his partner Troy that has never been disclosed on this site (“Troy has wisely decided to stay off this forum”). Want to take a guess?
Lets take a look at this posting in greater detail, allowing you to respond accordingly:
“…points out a half dozen mistakes over the past five years”. Vikes, you may have only pointed out 5 mistakes, but the forum has found quite a few more in only a few weeks. First, there has never been a forum such as this to bring these mistakes to other collectors. Collectors talk between themselves, however, have never had an avenue to put it in print. Second, 5 items? Come on! How about the most recent Mastro auction-countless Mets jerseys with errors, Florida Gators jerseys with problems, a fake Pedro jersey, Schilling fake jersey, and a bogus Beltran jersey. So the statement of 6 items in 5 years now increases to 13? And the increase of over 50% is based on one additional auction being scrutinized by the forum? As noted, MEARS/SCDA has also written for Sothebys, American Memorabilia, Bricol, Heritage, and REA. If 7 items were found to be bad in the Mastro auction, can we assume quite a few more items will fall into the same category once the Forum members review the above-mentioned auction catalogs?
The quote “…willing to stand up when they make a mistake and offer a lifetime guarantee”. I have never known any type of authenticator, in any field, to make mention that there is a chance they will make a mistake. This is why the label of “EXPERT” is applied to this individual or group A great example of an EXPERT is the GIA grading system used for precious stones. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has a flawless history and reputation.; When purchasing a ring, for example, one receives a letter from GIA stating the facts of the stone. As such, the jeweler realizes top dollar and the customer has a piece of mind. Can you imagine Tiffany’s in New York selling Donald Trump a $3 Million dollar ring for his new wife with the understanding that “Mr. Trump, if you find out this diamond is actually graded incorrectly or is actually a Zircon, we will stand behind our mistake and refund your money”. How ridiculous is it for MEARS to make this statement? No legit authenticator is going to hide behind such a whimsical phrase, let alone expect an industry to put faith into such a group.
The post further adds “name one person who does not fit under the Mears umbrella who is capable of authenticating a game jersey”. Maybe it is easier for the post to re-write the statement and say “Who under the Mears umbrella can guarantee in writing that an expensive letter of authenticity can prove a specific jersey is legit”. Fake Mets jerseys, bogus St. Patrick’s green Orioles jerseys, bogus Tom Seaver gloves and the list goes on and on. There are countless individuals who are capable of authenticating jerseys, and gloves including Denny Eskin, Kim Stigall at Ball Park Hereos, Scott Welkowski at Out of This World Memorabilia, Keith Vari (now at Grey Flannel), Murf Denny, and Chris Boyd to name a few. Do these people have a complete knowledge to authenticate a range of jerseys from 1920-2005-no way. It would be impossible. Equally as impossible for MEARS/SCDA to have this knowledge, as they have demonstrated time and time again with letters being provided on completely fake shirts. I’m a jersey guy, not bats, so I’ll stick to providing insight in this area. I have no doubt there are very qualified individuals who can provide letters on bats, beside MEARS/MALTA/TAUBE (although I have dealt with John Taube, and he is one of the most knowledgable bat experts in the hobby).
Are we to understand Troy has realized his continued blunders on the Forum have caused more damage than good for him and his posse? Wise move, staying off the Forum, Troy. When you have been called out on dozens of problems and can only spin some type of ridiculous answer, I too would run for the hills.
I personally know and have worked with Dave Bushing and Dan Knoll for over 15 years. Both of them are very, very knowledgeable and have a keen insight and understanding of the memorabilia business. For whatever reason, they have written letters on items that have been proven to have different characteristics from the actual item in question. The bottom line-when you label yourself as an expert, you must be able to fulfill the role as one. In this case, MEARS/SCDA has fallen short and is now being held accountable.
I believe Mr. Wolf's response says it all so I won't go on a total rant here since he has so eloquently stated it in an above post.
The only consistent message that always shines through is that whenever these "experts" are questioned they circle the wagons with their dealer friends and try to shoot the messengers. Keep making your money, keep rubber stamping items that you don't actually look at, keep doing what you want. Just be prepared for the fallout.
Sorry Contravikes, your spin does not hold water here anymore. The fact that some people can blindly ignore blatent mistakes and accept the outrageous spin submitted when questioned is borderline insanity. Do you think this crap would hold up in any court, in any jursidiction?
DEFENDANT: "...Well your honor, our letter of opinion is not actually final until we say it's final and that really could be before, during or after the auction.."
Where is Adam Warshaw when we need him? I'm sure if he read this he'd be on the floor hysterical with laughter.
Bottom line though is we are not in real court, but the court of public opinion. An opinion that amongst a lot of public including most people here (dealers excluded) that is leaving a lot to be desired with the so called experts.
Last point: I believe Dave G. has said that MEARS has not written a single letter yet, so all of your "1500 items" must have come just from SCDA.
Michael Specht, who co-wrote the book BATS with Vince Malta, could "authenticate" bats in his sleep (to the degree that anyone can "authenticate" any game used item, that is). He has been of great help to me regarding certain bats over the years. I agree with you that there are only a small handful of bat people, though.
Reid
P.S. As an aside, I do think that the term "Letter of Opinion" is, in the majority of cases, a better term to use (as it is an accurate term) as the vast majority of items (autographed or game used or both) that have been "authenticated" really have not been ... opinions about them have been given, but, as many game used experts have pointed out themselves (some of them have stated this in the recent SCD series that features interviews of "authenticators"), you can't authenticate something unless you are there to actually witness the item being signed or game-used.
