What did I just buy TMNT #1?? 11 11

[ExNihilo]

I'm befuddled by the whole chain of events here.  Like, if you're gonna scam someone, you're going to outright portray what you have as something it isn't.  Instead, they opted to go to such lengths as to say "i don't know what I have".  Any smart person immediately jumps to the conclusion that what the person is selling is fake.  Like, what was the game here?  What was the point of posting here, a place with hard core eagle eyed collectors, who were no doubt going to 100% confirm the authenticity (or lack thereof) of the book?  None of this makes sense.

[Beastfeast]

On 10/2/2023 at 11:50 AM, ExNihilo said:

I'm befuddled by the whole chain of events here.  Like, if you're gonna scam someone, you're going to outright portray what you have as something it isn't.  Instead, they opted to go to such lengths as to say "i don't know what I have".  Any smart person immediately jumps to the conclusion that what the person is selling is fake.  Like, what was the game here?  What was the point of posting here, a place with hard core eagle eyed collectors, who were no doubt going to 100% confirm the authenticity (or lack thereof) of the book?  None of this makes sense.

It’s trying to preempt the lie/scam. Always a sign when someone gives you a lot of information you didn’t ask for. 

[KingOfRulers]

The OP of this thread emailed me mid-September about having this book pressed. He asked if I could verify that it was a first print or not. I told him I'm not an expert on TMNT #1, and I sent him links to a couple of threads here which detail out ways to determine printings. He then asked again if I could verify so I looked at the threads myself in an attempt to come to a conclusion.

The name in his email is a different name than his boards name, which is unusual if both sets of names consist of first/last names. But I can tell it's the same book as some of the pictures are exactly the same.

He seems like a nice guy via email, but the differing first/last names between his email and boards name is very odd.

Edited October 2, 2023 by KingOfRulers

[Nschenks]

This could just be the case of someone who really, really wanted to have stumbled on a pot of gold and didn't initially have the intention of scamming anyone. I could see it being very possible he actually did stumble across the fake, and then, when others couldn't initially identify it as such, got way too excited and tried to sell it before he knew what it actually was. Possibly as more info came out, he felt he was in too deep (maybe he'd spent too much time day-dreaming about what he'd do with all that money, who knows) and resorted to faking a message to Kevin Eastman. His attempts at pushing the book don't scream someone who was trying to pull a scam from the start, even if that's what it developed into--to me they scream incidental amateur. Not excusing any of this, of course. A scam is a scam, and posting fake info to sell a book for sure crosses that line.

EDIT: Whelp, after the new info, seems my take didn't age well lol. Just gotta hope no one falls for his selling tactics...can't imagine he'd show his face on these boards again though

Edited October 3, 2023 by Nsschenks

[universal soldier]

This thread, whatever the OP intent was, is a great example of the comic knowledge found on these boards and part of the reason I joined in the first place. TMNT is not in my wheel house but I just learned a ton. Great stuff! 

[rich_TMNT]

On 10/2/2023 at 5:02 PM, KingOfRulers said:

The OP of this thread emailed me mid-September about having this book pressed. He asked if I could verify that it was a first print or not. I told him I'm not an expert on TMNT #1, and I sent him links to a couple of threads here which detail out ways to determine printings. He then asked again if I could verify so I looked at the threads myself in an attempt to come to a conclusion.

The name in his email is a different name than his boards name, which is unusual if both sets of names consist of first/last names. But I can tell it's the same book as some of the pictures are exactly the same.

He seems like a nice guy via email, but the differing first/last names between his email and boards name is very odd.

I suspect the same guy (the OP - @Mike Oliver) has been emailing and messaging people using different names / identities trying to somehow get some type of proof that will legitimize this fake book. It might be a few different people that are involved in this as well - hard to tell. These are the names I suspect the OP is using out there regarding this book (from my own personal interactions): Mike Oliver, Mike Stone, Matthew Beardsley.  A "Matthew Beardsley" was emailing me for quite a while asking multiple questions about how to get this book graded and authenticated using the Twitter message as proof this book wasn't counterfeit but instead uniquely original. He also wanted to know if counterfeits were valuable and kept asking how much a counterfeit would go for. When I asked to connect on FB, he conveniently had excuses why he didn't use social media anymore. He actually told me that he bought this book for $1k from a "buddy" but when I told him it was for sure fake and the Twitter message was as well, he then switched his story to "I don't really know the details of who sold it to me."  He also originally claimed that he sent Kevin the Twitter message (although the fake Kevin response was to "Mikey"). Hmmmm.   That's how I first knew he was likely not who he said he was.  But guess what?  The day I posted here about the Twitter message being faked, I never received another email from "Matthew Beardsley."  I bet he emails me now though - to say "I'm not the scammer." Haha

What I find most interesting is that, regardless of who the name is on all of these emails, messages, posts, etc., every one of them have the same or similar poor spelling/grammar, lack of punctuation, and a hastily-written feel to them.

Additionally, a guy named Eric Christian Magee posted about this book in my FB group back on Aug. 8 saying that his "cousin" found this book at an antique store.  When I commented about the book and Twitter message being faked, he claimed it must have been a faked Eastman Twitter account that it came from. But, when I called him on that obvious lie and asked who his cousin was, it has been radio silence from him.

This whole thing is a big scam and he (they) are trying to push this book for quick cash - and also likely the person/people that counterfeited it in the first place (and then forgot to include the price on the back cover LOL). He (they) won't stop though - this book will be forever out there getting sold and re-sold and passed around. Buyers will come to these boards to find out more. Let's hope they do that before dropping any cash on this big-time counterfeit. 

Edited October 3, 2023 by rich_TMNT

[thehumantorch]

On 10/2/2023 at 8:31 PM, rich_TMNT said:

I suspect the same guy (the OP - @Mike Oliver) has been emailing and messaging people using different names / identities trying to somehow get some type of proof that will legitimize this fake book. It might be a few different people that are involved in this as well - hard to tell. These are the names I suspect the OP is using out there regarding this book (from my own personal interactions): Mike Oliver, Mike Stone, Matthew Beardsley.  A "Matthew Beardsley" was emailing me for quite a while asking multiple questions about how to get this book graded and authenticated using the Twitter message as proof this book wasn't counterfeit but instead uniquely original. He also wanted to know if counterfeits were valuable and kept asking how much a counterfeit would go for. When I asked to connect on FB, he conveniently had excuses why he didn't use social media anymore. He actually told me that he bought this book for $1k from a "buddy" but when I told him it was for sure fake and the Twitter message was as well, he then switched his story to "I don't really know the details of who sold it to me."  He also originally claimed that he sent Kevin the Twitter message (although the fake Kevin response was to "Mikey"). Hmmmm.   That's how I first knew he was likely not who he said he was.  But guess what?  The day I posted here about the Twitter message being faked, I never received another email from "Matthew Beardsley."  I bet he emails me now though - to say "I'm not the scammer." Haha

What I find most interesting is that, regardless of who the name is on all of these emails, messages, posts, etc., every one of them have the same or similar poor spelling/grammar, lack of punctuation, and a hastily-written feel to them.

Additionally, a guy named Eric Christian Magee posted about this book in my FB group back on Aug. 8 saying that his "cousin" found this book at an antique store.  When I commented about the book and Twitter message being faked, he claimed it must have been a faked Eastman Twitter account that it came from. But, when I called him on that obvious lie and asked who his cousin was, it has been radio silence from him.

This whole thing is a big scam and he (they) are trying to push this book for quick cash - and also likely the person/people that counterfeited it in the first place (and then forgot to include the price on the back cover LOL). He (they) won't stop though - this book will be forever out there getting sold and re-sold and passed around. Buyers will come to these boards to find out more. Let's hope they do that before dropping any cash on this big-time counterfeit. 

Thanks for the info, reveals a great deal.

[rich_TMNT]

I told you so. Here's the book for sale again!  https://www.ebay.com/itm/364516693220 

At least it's now being sold as a "Counterfeit" but it's anything but "Rare."  Some poor person is going to get duped into buying a mostly worthless recent (modern) counterfeit that, if sold, will spawn more copies - if they don't already exist.

But, if you want this, buy with confidence!  This seller has a 96.6% positive rating from 27 separate feedback with an eBay account started just this year. Sounds super safe to me.  LOL  

Edited October 7, 2023 by rich_TMNT

[Dick Pontoon]

On 10/7/2023 at 9:22 AM, rich_TMNT said:

I told you so. Here's the book for sale again!  https://www.ebay.com/itm/364516693220 

At least it's now being sold as a "Counterfeit" but it's anything but "Rare."  Some poor person is going to get duped into buying a mostly worthless recent (modern) counterfeit that, if sold, will spawn more copies - if they already don't exist.

But, if you want this, buy with confidence!  This seller has a 96.6% positive rating from 27 separate feedback with an eBay account started just this year. Sounds super safe to me.  LOL  

Being sold by "mabear." Couldn't possibly be connected with "Matthew Beardsley."

And it's been said already but it really stuck out for me: Anybody who takes photos like that while driving has to be a complete tool, regardless of what's being sold.

[unclezebo]

The seller ended the listing Yesterday due to an error in the listing............ Wonder what the error is?

 

[KCOComics]

Wow. 

This is the first time I'm reading through this thread. What a shame people would go to these lengths to scam others out of money.  

Thank you @rich_TMNT for piecing this all together. 

[shadroch]

I'd been hoping the guy had a real find. It sucks that it turned out he was just another petty grifter. 

Chalk up another win for the good guys.

[WolverineX]

On 10/2/2023 at 10:31 PM, rich_TMNT said:

I suspect the same guy (the OP - @Mike Oliver) has been emailing and messaging people using different names / identities trying to somehow get some type of proof that will legitimize this fake book. It might be a few different people that are involved in this as well - hard to tell. These are the names I suspect the OP is using out there regarding this book (from my own personal interactions): Mike Oliver, Mike Stone, Matthew Beardsley.  A "Matthew Beardsley" was emailing me for quite a while asking multiple questions about how to get this book graded and authenticated using the Twitter message as proof this book wasn't counterfeit but instead uniquely original. He also wanted to know if counterfeits were valuable and kept asking how much a counterfeit would go for. When I asked to connect on FB, he conveniently had excuses why he didn't use social media anymore. He actually told me that he bought this book for $1k from a "buddy" but when I told him it was for sure fake and the Twitter message was as well, he then switched his story to "I don't really know the details of who sold it to me."  He also originally claimed that he sent Kevin the Twitter message (although the fake Kevin response was to "Mikey"). Hmmmm.   That's how I first knew he was likely not who he said he was.  But guess what?  The day I posted here about the Twitter message being faked, I never received another email from "Matthew Beardsley."  I bet he emails me now though - to say "I'm not the scammer." Haha

What I find most interesting is that, regardless of who the name is on all of these emails, messages, posts, etc., every one of them have the same or similar poor spelling/grammar, lack of punctuation, and a hastily-written feel to them.

Additionally, a guy named Eric Christian Magee posted about this book in my FB group back on Aug. 8 saying that his "cousin" found this book at an antique store.  When I commented about the book and Twitter message being faked, he claimed it must have been a faked Eastman Twitter account that it came from. But, when I called him on that obvious lie and asked who his cousin was, it has been radio silence from him.

This whole thing is a big scam and he (they) are trying to push this book for quick cash - and also likely the person/people that counterfeited it in the first place (and then forgot to include the price on the back cover LOL). He (they) won't stop though - this book will be forever out there getting sold and re-sold and passed around. Buyers will come to these boards to find out more. Let's hope they do that before dropping any cash on this big-time counterfeit. 

Great job!

 

I guess the question is what happens when the next counterfeit shows up with the correct year and price on the back cover?    It's probably only a matter of time now.  

[rich_TMNT]

On 10/9/2023 at 9:23 AM, WolverineX said:

Great job!

 

I guess the question is what happens when the next counterfeit shows up with the correct year and price on the back cover?    It's probably only a matter of time now.  

I suppose it's just like authenticating any other #1 - look first for all the signs of authenticity and go from there. This is one of those books that's risky to buy raw - even if you know what you're looking for. Not even sure I'd trust a graded one I didn't submit myself given all the scammers out there - seeing inside the book is the key for me.

[JollyComics]

On 10/2/2023 at 9:31 PM, rich_TMNT said:

I suspect the same guy (the OP - @Mike Oliver) has been emailing and messaging people using different names / identities trying to somehow get some type of proof that will legitimize this fake book. It might be a few different people that are involved in this as well - hard to tell. These are the names I suspect the OP is using out there regarding this book (from my own personal interactions): Mike Oliver, Mike Stone, Matthew Beardsley.  A "Matthew Beardsley" was emailing me for quite a while asking multiple questions about how to get this book graded and authenticated using the Twitter message as proof this book wasn't counterfeit but instead uniquely original. He also wanted to know if counterfeits were valuable and kept asking how much a counterfeit would go for. When I asked to connect on FB, he conveniently had excuses why he didn't use social media anymore. He actually told me that he bought this book for $1k from a "buddy" but when I told him it was for sure fake and the Twitter message was as well, he then switched his story to "I don't really know the details of who sold it to me."  He also originally claimed that he sent Kevin the Twitter message (although the fake Kevin response was to "Mikey"). Hmmmm.   That's how I first knew he was likely not who he said he was.  But guess what?  The day I posted here about the Twitter message being faked, I never received another email from "Matthew Beardsley."  I bet he emails me now though - to say "I'm not the scammer." Haha

What I find most interesting is that, regardless of who the name is on all of these emails, messages, posts, etc., every one of them have the same or similar poor spelling/grammar, lack of punctuation, and a hastily-written feel to them.

Additionally, a guy named Eric Christian Magee posted about this book in my FB group back on Aug. 8 saying that his "cousin" found this book at an antique store.  When I commented about the book and Twitter message being faked, he claimed it must have been a faked Eastman Twitter account that it came from. But, when I called him on that obvious lie and asked who his cousin was, it has been radio silence from him.

This whole thing is a big scam and he (they) are trying to push this book for quick cash - and also likely the person/people that counterfeited it in the first place (and then forgot to include the price on the back cover LOL). He (they) won't stop though - this book will be forever out there getting sold and re-sold and passed around. Buyers will come to these boards to find out more. Let's hope they do that before dropping any cash on this big-time counterfeit. 

AND he is a careless and unsafe driver.  It seemed like everyone don't want to buy his books.  I don't want to ride with him.

Thank you for your great knowledge of TMNT books that I have learned so much lately.

[BigLeagueCHEW]

On 10/7/2023 at 6:22 AM, rich_TMNT said:

I told you so. Here's the book for sale again!  https://www.ebay.com/itm/364516693220 

At least it's now being sold as a "Counterfeit" but it's anything but "Rare."  Some poor person is going to get duped into buying a mostly worthless recent (modern) counterfeit that, if sold, will spawn more copies - if they don't already exist.

But, if you want this, buy with confidence!  This seller has a 96.6% positive rating from 27 separate feedback with an eBay account started just this year. Sounds super safe to me.  LOL  

Ole mabear80 ended the listing 

[Cat]

"Why don't people want to buy my original authentic TMNT #1? Come on, people, it's fresh off the printer!" 

[CAHokie]

On 10/9/2023 at 11:23 AM, WolverineX said:

Great job!

 

I guess the question is what happens when the next counterfeit shows up with the correct year and price on the back cover?    It's probably only a matter of time now.  

That is always a concern.  While proving something is fake (as should be done), it unfortunately also creates a training guide for future fakes. 

[grendel013]

On 10/11/2023 at 9:30 AM, CAHokie said:

That is always a concern.  While proving something is fake (as should be done), it unfortunately also creates a training guide for future fakes. 

The copyright date being incorrect reminds me of Office Space when the guy moved the decimal place over by one. Such a "small" error. Lol. I'd almost think it was intentional. Like some sort of calling card. 

[valiantman]

On 10/11/2023 at 8:42 AM, grendel013 said:

The copyright date being incorrect reminds me of Office Space when the guy moved the decimal place over by one. Such a "small" error. Lol. I'd almost think it was intentional. Like some sort of calling card. 

Put on your criminal game plan hat... 

If I counterfeit this book but make a small error that only I know about... then when I flood the market with the counterfeits, the price of all copies will fall. At that point, I'll buy multiple copies of the real TMNT #1 for myself. I'll know which is which because I know about the small error. Then once I'm satisfied, I'll tell everyone how to identify the counterfeits.  My stash of real books will skyrocket!