Are their counterfeits of 1957 Topps Bill Russell?? Does this card look authentic?

thenavarro · December 14, 2008 9:53AM

Is this Bill Russell rookie card authentic? Seller has perfect feedback, deals primarily in newer cards from feedback. Anyone dealt with jnaspecialty??

schr1st · December 14, 2008 11:01AM

if nothing else, the scan looks to be brightness enhanced. Here is mine for comparison:

I'd hold out for a nice 4 or something similar, then crack and submit.

thenavarro · December 14, 2008 11:07AM

Very sweet card Sean. Russell is signing next Saturday in Florida so I'm trying to round one up in time to get it overnighted to Florida.

Mike

schr1st · December 14, 2008 11:14AM

Nevermind, I found it. I'd look to the stores first. Red Zone has a kinda ugly looking 5, but at least it's legit.

BunchOBull · December 14, 2008 11:16AM

If it helps, boosting the brightness of Sean's card makes an image very similar to the card you're thinking of purchasing.

schr1st · December 14, 2008 11:35AM

Here is the ugly 5

http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-Topps-77-Bill-Russell-Rookie-PSA-5_W0QQitemZ110311357850QQihZ001QQcategoryZ16283QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

here is a better 5

http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-Topps-77-Bill-Russell-Rookie-PSA-5_W0QQitemZ130256466879QQihZ003QQcategoryZ16283QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'd see if they'd go lower on the nicer 5.

thenavarro · December 14, 2008 11:42AM

<< <i>Here is the ugly 5

http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-Topps-77-Bill-Russell-Rookie-PSA-5_W0QQitemZ110311357850QQihZ001QQcategoryZ16283QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

here is a better 5

http://cgi.ebay.com/1957-Topps-77-Bill-Russell-Rookie-PSA-5_W0QQitemZ130256466879QQihZ003QQcategoryZ16283QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'd see if they'd go lower on the nicer 5. >>

Sean,

Thanks for the links, I wished I had bought one of those back when the MSLIVE rebate was 30% but I didn't know Russell was going to be doing a signing in December. I don't have enough in my discretionary budget for one of those right now as I'm hoarding my money for Mastro's Wednesday night auctions. That's why I was interested in that lower grade one on ebay. I'm going to kick myself if I don't get a Russell in time and then if I don't win in Mastro's as well.

Mike

austinchau · December 14, 2008 11:44AM

Hey Mike, how much does Russell charge for a flat? I am nowhere near approaching a card like Russell just wanna get an idea how much it takes for him to ink a card

Ahmanfan · December 14, 2008 11:46AM

Sean that card is a beaut!

thenavarro · December 14, 2008 11:52AM

<< <i>Hey Mike, how much does Russell charge for a flat? I am nowhere near approaching a card like Russell just wanna get an idea how much it takes for him to ink a card >>

Austin,

He is charging $150.00 to sign a card.

Mike

schr1st · December 14, 2008 11:52AM

Let me check around to see if I can find anyone with a Russell. One thing you may want to check with them is what he'll be signing the card with. There is a 61-62 Fleer out on eBay at the moment that was signed with a silver paint pen that looks awful.

Edit: That's really not all too bad of a price. For a long time he was one of the toughest living signatures out there.

thenavarro · December 15, 2008 3:28AM

<< <i>Let me check around to see if I can find anyone with a Russell. One thing you may want to check with them is what he'll be signing the card with. There is a 61-62 Fleer out on eBay at the moment that was signed with a silver paint pen that looks awful.

Edit: That's really not all too bad of a price. For a long time he was one of the toughest living signatures out there. >>

Sean,

I've got a Russell coming from a fellow board member that I picked up this AM. What do you think would look the best to have the card signed in? I usually like blue ballpoint on the vintage cards, but not sure with the dark background if something else might look better. Yours looks pretty nice and has good contrast. Is that blue pen? Please let me know your opinion.

Thanks,

Mike

schr1st · December 15, 2008 4:30AM

I'm glad you were able to pick one up here. As for the signature, a ballpoint ink signature would work better than a sharpie I think, as the indentation of the pen will help the signature show up better against the background. The silver sharpie / paint pen will show up well (as would gold), but the signature doesn't look as good. This was the one I was referring to earlier:

when compared to:

The silver signature will certainly show up better against the dark background of the 57-58 Topps card, but I can't imagine it'll be that nice of a signature, so I'd try to go for the blue ballpoint ink one. You may want to call Rich Altman's office to ensure that a ballpoint pen signature will be possible.

Davemri · December 15, 2008 5:09AM

Mike, I have to following but I paid a premium for it becasue of the centering. The only problem is that I would have to replace it down the road.

thenavarro · December 15, 2008 5:55AM

<< <i>Mike, I have to following but I paid a premium for it becasue of the centering. The only problem is that I would have to replace it down the road. It may be more than you are wanting to spend, but I would take $800 for it. I am aware that 5's go in the 800 range but I doubt you would ever find one with this good of centering. Let me know..

>>

Dave,

Thanks for the offer but I've got a PSA 5 OC on the way. Take care,

Miike

Are their counterfeits of 1957 Topps Bill Russell?? Does this card look authentic?

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