Nov. '18 Card of the Month - Whiteout

This version is controversial to say the least.  Even now, I don't know for sure if this is a real version or not.  I've seen hundreds of examples of 'whiteouts' and would like to believe that some are 'real'.  Fuzzy ovals covering the bat knob, white circles or box patterns, white stripes, whiteout correction fluid - you name it.  Here are 4 examples that were authenticated by 3rd party grading companies:

Some of these clearly have the Black Box underneath.  Why is that?  Has anyone seen one on top of a rack pack?  I've heard stories of people pulling these from wax packs - but nothing has been confirmed.  Some people have told stories of employees smuggling out weird or different versions from the factory.  Who made them?  How were they made?  We may never know.  Buyer beware on these.  
 

A Podcast about the FF??

Thanks to David Peterkofsky for producing a Podcast about the FF card!  David even tracked down photographer Steve Babineau to get his story.  Great work David!

FORKEEPSPODCAST - FF CARD (LINK)

Oct. '18 Card of the Month - F-Face

OCT. '18 Card of the Month - F-Face Original

Back to basics for the October card of the month.  Time for the Original.  The F*** Face.  This is the one that started it all.  Hundreds of thousands probably exist.  Rare?  No.  Collectible?  YES!  

 LINK 

 

BEWARE - Fakes are out there!

BUYER BEWARE - FAKES ARE EVERYWHERE!

I've been seeing these 'Reprints' on eBay for the past year or more.  I can usually spot them a mile away but recently I've been receiving emails from confused and concerned collectors.  I decided to pick one up for $5 and see for myself.  I don't want to get into how to tell etc - but when compared to a normal 1989 Fleer, it's obvious.

What I've been seeing lately are 2 versions - F-Face and White Scribble - that have been faked.  These are unauthorized and shouldn't be called 'Reprints' or 'RP' etc.  They are FAKE.  Good fakes?  Yes.  With technology, card collectors will (unfortunately) see more of these deceptive tactics in the future.  For years, you always had to be alert for a fake Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky.  Now I'm seeing $5 cards being copied/faked.  Kind of like making counterfeit $5 bills.....

Buyer beware.  I'm seeing too many people buying $50 White Scribble cards on eBay lately.  These appear to be fake.  Do your homework and be careful.  Currently, there are dozens on eBay for sale.

Sellers that make and sell these are terrible for the hobby.  They may justify it by saying that they put 'REPRINT' or 'RP' in the title.  They know that people are buying these for $ and selling them as 'originals' for $$$$.  My opinion is that all 'REPRINT' cards need it clearly stated somewhere on the card.  Sure, it's nice to have a copy of a T206 Honus Wagner, but it needs to be clearly marked or clearly different than the original.

Happy Hunting.

New Pickup - FF w/ Yellow & red offset

Thanks to Joey for trading me this nice new addition.  FF version with a really good yellow & red offset.  PSA 9 is a plus.

Sep. '18 Card of the Month - Circle Scribble (Semi-Airbrushed)

Sep. '18 Card of the Month - Circle Scribble (Semi-Airbrushed)

Time for some rare versions!  This is the card I've referred to as the 'Circle Scribble'.  I've also seen it referred to as the 'Semi-Airbrushed' scribble.  It appears to be a black circular airbrush pattern over the FF.  There appear to be 4 distinct variations of this card as well - all with varying levels of coverage and color.  All 4 of these have been found with and without factory saw-cuts. 
These versions are needles in the haystack.  Tough to find!

Hagerstown Suns Bobblehead

Nice to see the Hagerstown Suns (Class A affiliate of the Nationals) gave away these bobbleheads on August 17th.  The smiley face is a nice touch.

Beckett Link