Ever since the use of sticker autos has become a prominent part of our hobby, there have been people trying to find ways to exploit it. After the discovery that one can take a sticker off a scrub, wipe off the name with acetone, and then re-sign and re-apply it to a better player’s card, there has been a never ending run of people who buy these fakes without question. Like me, they believe that as long as the card has the normal markings and stickers, its real.

The grading companies have had their share of embarrassments as well, grading some of the “hard signed” fake autographs on the 2007 Topps Rookie Premiere autos as real. PSA always will provide a cop out excuse like “we grade the card, not the auto” type of junk, and continues to grade the cards. Not only does it provide provenance and legitimacy to the fakes, but it is a pretentious way of approaching an awfully troublesome situation. Beckett has refused to continue grading the 2007 Rookie Premiere autos as a result, but even they get taken sometimes. This one is one hell of a way to do it.

Back in 2006, Topps released the HOF insert set into their flagship product. As far as I can tell for the product, there was no offering of an autograph parallel to these cards, despite the checklist saying there way. Not on ebay or even on google images. Although collectors love getting these cards signed in person because of the awesome look, there wasnt any autographs produced by Topps – from my observations. This investigation does not necessarily mean there arent any, but its possible they were never produced.

Sent in by a reader, here is 2006 Topps Hall of Fame Troy Aikman autograph, with what I believe is a fake sticker, graded by Beckett with a 10 auto:

2006 Topps Hall of Fame Troy Aikman Auto BGS 9, 10 Auto

Something doesnt look right, as I mentioned. The slant of the autograph is almost on a different level – way too far upright. Even more odd, the number 8 inscription isnt as tipped to the right as normal either. Additionally, the composition of Aikman’s last name in the last part of the signature, is waaaay too spread out. There are also other missing lines and curves on letters dont match the real examples. Ill give it to whoever was the original faker, he picked a tough one to do. Even more balls to whomever tried to get the auto through Beckett.

For those who are unfamiliar, there are things that dont change without deliberate thought in a person’s signature. Slant, and letter formation are the biggest parts of handwriting identity. Players sign so often, that it becomes almost second nature. Even though each IS different in some small ways, there are certain consistent parts of the autograph that dont change – even in the most erratic cases.

Here are a few comparison Topps stickers to use:

Example Aikman Auto on Sticker – #1

Example Aikman Auto on Sticker – #2

Example Aikman Auto on Sticker – #3

Even though I place absolutely no value in grading, and think its a complete money making scam to begin with, I can understand they could get duped here and there. But this one is about as obvious as it can be to someone with no experience. I am not placing blame on the seller, but I dont think this one would be one I could live with. Outside of that, this card is now REAL, regardless of what anyone says. That is the power that this type of thing has to a fake card.

What do you guys think? Fake or Real? You guys have much more information on the actual set, and I would love to see your assessments.