Reproduction Fantasy piece

Founder of Keymancollectibles.com, and a long time collector, Steven KeyMan has more than 30 years of experience in researching, and cataloging information on Baseball Memorabilia. Researching his own personal collection, and helping others find information on their collectibles, the website grew into the largest online resource for baseball memorabilia

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	All to often collectors are mistakenly buying vintage memorabilia that is actually a good modern day reproduction of the original. Items that could also fool the "experts." In the past we have identified many items that were reproduced to be sold as authentic. A scam. Some Items are sold as reproductions, AKA "Fantasy Piece" meant to provide an inexpensive way to own a vintage piece of memorabilia that the common collector can't afford. Topps issues reprints of older baseball cards and sets every year but they own the licensing rights to do so. They not only have the right but they do make it clear that they are reproductions. This is not a problem. Lately there has been a rash of unauthorized reproductions being sold on ebay. Some of these items are being sold as artistic renderings of the original, and because they state that the item is artistically made to look old, and because they state it is a reproduction, marked or not they are allowed to do business. This is a major concern. It is hurting the hobby because it causes confusion and questions the legitimacy of items that are authentic. These "fantasy pieces" are not officially licensed products and should not be allowed to be made or sold. Where is the line drawn between a forged Babe Ruth signed baseball, and one that is done with artistic intent? Because the seller states that it is a reproduction, or a novelty it's not a forgery? The major problem with these "fantasy pieces" is they are being resold as authentic to unsuspecting buyers. A lot of these artistic repro items are being sold on ebay, and on sites such as Goodwill that list the items with a disclaimer to clear themselves. Goodwill states in the description of their auctions; "We have not authenticated this item and have no way of determining its authenticity....Please see images for further detail and ask any questions you may have before making a bid... AS-IS no refunds." The bottom line; If you buy a high priced autograph anywhere, that is not properly authenticated, you are asking for trouble. The problem with unauthorized reproductions is not limited to just Fantasy autographs. Todays in-home based technology is giving birth to reproduction ephemera. I see a growing trend of printed material such as noted World Series ticket stubs, and vintage postcards, being sold as reproductions. Some do have "Reproduction" printed on them but in a spot that can be easily manipulated and removed to be resold as authentic. I have seen "remakes" of postcards original to the early 1900's, that are first sold as reproductions, but are not marked as such. They then resurface and listed as authentic, or the seller leaves that part out of the description. Unless you have a trained eye and understand how to identify the printing process used in 1905 and the modern day process, you cannot tell them apart. As with the autographed baseballs the reproductions are listed as being "artistically altered" to give a vintage look. I am asking collectors not to buy these "original reproductions" It is not "cool to own a Babe Ruth autograph that you could not otherwise afford." Buying unlicensed reproductions to impress your friends as some descriptions state, is supporting a practice that should be stopped. These items are getting into the wrong hands and are being dumped onto collectors that are new to the hobby. Paying a high price for an item that you did not know was a reproduction is not a fantasy. It is the only thing in the auction that is real. The unauthorized reproduction "Fantasy Piece" is discouraging new collectors from entering the hobby. Less collectors in the hobby lowers the value of memorabilia. It also puts into question the creditability of memorabilia that is authentic, keeping the value down. Before bidding or buying an item that has a below market value price, read the description thoroughly. Ask questions. If the seller can't guarantee the authenticity of the item and does not have a money back policy, steer clear of it. In most cases a "Too Good to be true" price usually is. Do your homework.


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