Question: I have a 1993 Leaf Frank Thomas Autograph #109/250, why don't you list it? (4/7/05)
Asked By: W. Kollmeier (email witheld by request) - Denton, TX.

Answer: What you have is what's known as an "after-market auto", and in this case, from the bankrupt Score Board Company.

What 'after-market' means: A seller will get ahold of a previously issued (and licensed) product and do something extra to it. Sometimes adding a foil stamp, sometimes adding an autograph - some genuine, others quite fraudulent - depending greatly on the business situation. In fact, I've even seen some slick operators make their own "1-of-1" jersey cards by splitting apart two identical cards, die-cutting an opening on one half, sticking in their own jersey piece, gluing the two parts together, then offering them up as "original one-of-one jersey patch creations". The legality of doing this is debateable. Since the manufacturer has nothing to do with the addition, they also don't receive any proceeds from the sales of these items. Ditto the Major League Baseball players and Major League Baseball, who are legally entitled to a fee for every retail product which features their likeness and/or logos. (Some observant collectors might recognize the seller this references)

And since the manufacturer's reputation is being "used" by others, any problems that arise from an unsuspecting buyer crying 'fraud', forces the manufacturers to defend themselves - despite the fact they had nothing to do with the alterations to their products. That's why legal manufacturers take the authentication of their products so seriously; just one proven case of fraud, even if it's a genuine mistake, calls into question their trustworthiness - and ultimately - their ability to sell products that the hobby will continue to purchase.

Unfortunately, Score Board was infamous for doing this type of after-market additions. The Leaf Company (this was prior to their acquisition by Pinnacle Brands) actually took legal action to stop Score Board from re-selling their products thru this method - one of which you have.

However, it's important to note that of the ones that I've seen from this series, the autograph you have is in fact authentic. The stroke, weight, and penmanship style matches that of Frank's signature from this period.

What's it worth? That's entirely your decision, but I've seen examples from this Score Board after-market product go for between $10 - $25.

Note: An example of a genuine manufacturer's autographed product being smeared by Score Board's after-market additions is Frank's own 1996 Charity Card Set. The story can be read here.

Question: How did you find those "unissued" cards? Did you steal them? (9/14/05)
Asked By: (name & email withheld by request) - Jacksonville, FL.

Answer: No. I'm not a thief. I'm going to do my best to treat your very insulting question with a serious answer.

There are two types of "unissued" cards:
1) True unissued cards like the Bankruptcy-era Pinnacle Brands series which were printed but were pulled before entering the hobby.
2) Prototypes not intended for public consumption. These would be in-house samples, usually intended for a manufacturer's art department or sales/marketing staff.

And in both cases - all the examples in my collection were purchased in the open market. And just because you spent "a lot of time" searching, keep in mind that I spent more than 16 years searching for every Thomas variation you see in this website. It's not something you can accomplish overnight.

To prove to you that it's possible - do this: Go to Beckett.com and search for "Frank Thomas Unissued" - you'll see that the world's largest card dealer has examples from the Unissued/Bankruptcy 1998 Select series still available for sale. Did they steal them? Don't be more of an idiot than you already presented to the rest of the hobby.

You can thank me in your next email for helping you with a valuable collector's tip that I earned the hard way - I worked for it.

Question: What do you think about Naxcom? (12/22/04)
Asked By: (name & email withheld by request) - Los Angeles, CA

Answer: That's an unusual, but interesting, question. I'm tempted to ask you why you want to know, but...

Okay. Well, it's an interesting alternative to the more mainstream auction sites. Interesting because it specializes in sports collectibles alone. I mention in my "Collector's Tips" page about the value visiting some of the lesser traveled sites for fun and possibly running across a bargain Frank collectible. However, it's been my experience that Naxcom is incredibly slow, difficult to navigate, and perhaps most importantly, a place where sellers shamelessly ask the most ridiculous prices for marginal collectibles.

The last time I was there (Naxcom) sellers seemed lost in the Twilight Zone of auction prices. Cards worth a buck being hawked for 50X, 75X, 100X market value. And cards that're actually worth something ... beyond imagining. The folks there must have access to Doc Brown's time traveling Delorean, because no way is any collector worth his salt going to pay $50 for a card worth .50¢ - not unless they've just zapped in from 1996 with Marty McFly.

Sorry, but you asked. :-)