2001 Fleer Legacy

This is easily Albert's most controversial 2001 issue. In 2001, Fleer placed clear, peel off stickers on 300 of the regular Fleer Legacy cards. Collectors could choose to either peel the sticker off and keep the unsigned card or send it in and receive an autographed version once Albert got around to signing them. Once the redemptions were filled, these were very hot. However, around the time of Fleer's bankruptcy, there was a deluge of them listed on eBay. It is important to note, however, many of these are FAKE and FORGERIES. It is very easy for the trained eye to distinguish between the different cards. First, here are some authentic ones:


Notice how these two copies have neat, compact signatures in the lower, middle portion of the card. Next, here are some examples of the counterfeit versions that began to show up on eBay after Fleer's bankruptcy.



Most of the forgeries feature much larger, sloppier signatures in the dead center of the card. Most of the forgeries run about $200-300 on eBay, but they are essentially worthless. The authentic versions are much rarer (much less than the 300 redemptions available) and rarely are listed. When they are expect to pay at least $450 and upwards of $650 for one. All the base (unsigned) cards are fine and if you want to add one for your collection, they run about $125.

Many suspect the forgeries arose from unused cards that Fleer should have destroyed but did not. When Fleer went bankrupt, all its assets were auctioned off and it is likely that the remaining unsigned Pujols cards were in this auction. There is some evidence for this theory as both of these cards were listed on eBay at the same time:



There are some other variations that need to be covered. Some authentic copies do have a hand written serial number like this one:
Others are signed in red or blue ink, these are not authentic.

Caution should also be used when purchasing graded copies. Once rumors started about possible forgeries, PSA discontinued grading them. BGS, on the other hand, continued to grade these until 2009 when they mandated that the card would first need to be authenticated by James Spence before it could be graded. The whole process with BGS takes about 20 days and cost $50. I am pleased with the result though:


This is one of Albert's finest cards provided you can obtain an authentic copy.