Mickey Mantle signed ball: A minor grail obtained

For the past 10 years or so, I've been under the impression that I had two signed Mickey Mantle photos in my collection. Unfortunately, I recently learned they are both fakes. Well executed and deceptive fakes, but forgeries none-the-less.

Thankfully, one was purchased from a reputable dealer who issued a refund 10 years later!

So, I used the money from the refund, plus a little more, and obtained an undoubtably authentic Mantle signed baseball.

Although, this time around, I didn't wait 10 years to get it authenticated! Top-notch authenticator Richard Simon gave the ball a thumbs-up.

Famous 500 Home Run sheet with fake Babe Ruth

HaulsOfShame.com - Recommended Link

Here is a fascinating analysis of so-called super-collector Barry Halper's 500 Home Run signed sheet. It appears the Babe Ruth and Jimmy Foxx signatures may be fakes.

In recent years, many items in Halper's legendary collection have been revealed to be fakes, including material he sold to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Due to conflicting accounts from Halper himself, some have speculated that Halper was not unwitting and must have known some items were fakes. In death, Halper has gone from super-collector to possible super-scammer.

On the 500 home run page, it's interesting -- yet not surprising -- that Willie Mays signed over a portion of Ruth's [supposed] signature.

GAI Mantle, Williams, DiMaggio, Mays & Jeter Forgeries on eBay

Another informative video from the forgery terminator, TomTresh2.

The Ol' Perfesser

I am very happy to add this Casey Stengel HOF Plaque to my collection.

As he occasionally did, Casey also signed and inscribed a short message on the back of the card.

Nothing like two signatures for the price of one!