AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: US71 on January 26, 2010, 11:19:35 AM

Title: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on January 26, 2010, 11:19:35 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280456520721&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

"THSES SIGNS CAN AND DO FOOL THE EXPERTS!!. I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT MAKES THESE STYLE SIGNS AT ALL, MUCH LESS WITH THE DEGREE OF QUALITY AND REALISM SHOWN."

Obviously, he's not met Jake or seen his authentic replicas ;)
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: roadfro on January 26, 2010, 07:27:19 PM
I'm not familiar with old sign specs, but every old US shield I've seen has the "US" legend above the number. This reproduction doesn't. The font of the word "California" doesn't look quite right either.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on January 26, 2010, 09:21:33 PM
Well, the lack of the 'US" legend isnt necessarily a tip...several states did not use the "US" legend on their shields....North Carolina, Illinois, Kansas, Washington were some of the states that didnt always use the 'US'...

HOWEVER....

*leaving aside Robert Edgar's horselaughs every time he sees this guy's eBay ads...* there are several things wrong with this shield....wrong shape, wrong fonts, and for the Calaifornia, lack of issuing agency on hte bottom of the shields...

Jake could go on for hours and show you his replicas which are far more authentic in appearance
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Ian on January 26, 2010, 09:58:00 PM
I really hate that most of the route sign listings on ebay are fake US 66 shields, and very little are actual authentic used shields that are worth bidding on. Just my opinion.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on January 26, 2010, 10:12:09 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on January 26, 2010, 09:58:00 PM
I really hate that most of the route sign listings on ebay are fake US 66 shields, and very little are actual authentic used shields that are worth bidding on. Just my opinion.

I find it funny (in sort of a twisted way) that the seller claims they are authentic and will "fool the experts".  I think someone on MTR wrote the guy once, and he laughed off any notion these were fake.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Ian on January 26, 2010, 10:25:12 PM
Quote from: US71 on January 26, 2010, 10:12:09 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on January 26, 2010, 09:58:00 PM
I really hate that most of the route sign listings on ebay are fake US 66 shields, and very little are actual authentic used shields that are worth bidding on. Just my opinion.
I find it funny (in sort of a twisted way) that the seller claims they are authentic and will "fool the experts".  I think someone on MTR wrote the guy once, and he laughed off any notion these were fake.

Yea it is annoying, but it is funny, especially when the 66 shields don't look anything like the real thing.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on January 26, 2010, 11:09:22 PM
MY authentic fake US 66 shield

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi166.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu102%2Fctsignguy%2Fillus66.jpg&hash=035d506894e3e77ec41d8b3a32e2968929a3c9bc)

Can you tell it from the real thing?
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Bickendan on January 27, 2010, 12:42:38 AM
Yes: It's not beat up and weathered!

That aside, it looks authentic enough ;)
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: roadfro on January 27, 2010, 05:05:51 PM
Newer generation design (non-square font), but it looks like any other old US shield I've seen. If it were beaten up and weathered, I'd probably mistake it for the real thing.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Michael on January 28, 2010, 03:29:46 PM
Quote from: ctsignguy on January 26, 2010, 11:09:22 PM
MY authentic fake US 66 shield

That's quite an oxymoron. :hmmm:
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on January 28, 2010, 05:55:02 PM
Quote from: Michael on January 28, 2010, 03:29:46 PM
Quote from: ctsignguy on January 26, 2010, 11:09:22 PM
MY authentic fake US 66 shield

That's quite an oxymoron. :hmmm:

What about "authentic replica" ? ;)
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: mightyace on January 28, 2010, 06:30:42 PM
Quote from: US71 on January 28, 2010, 05:55:02 PM
Quote from: Michael on January 28, 2010, 03:29:46 PM
Quote from: ctsignguy on January 26, 2010, 11:09:22 PM
MY authentic fake US 66 shield

That's quite an oxymoron. :hmmm:

What about "authentic replica" ? ;)

A better term would be...
[Historically] Accurate Replica
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on January 28, 2010, 08:56:35 PM
Quote from: mightyace on January 28, 2010, 06:30:42 PM

A better term would be...
[Historically] Accurate Replica

That's a mouthful. How about we write "this is a fake" on the back of each of them with a red felt tip pen ;)
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on January 29, 2010, 12:57:45 AM
Well, it is an 'authentic fake' in part because it was made by ILLDOT back when US 66 was decommissioned (hence the authentic), but was on slightly thinner than standard aluminum as opposed to the steel Illy used on their US cutouts (hence the fake)

Clear as mud?
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 29, 2010, 03:15:07 AM
Quote from: US71 on January 26, 2010, 11:19:35 AM
"THSES SIGNS CAN AND DO FOOL THE EXPERTS!!. I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT MAKES THESE STYLE SIGNS AT ALL, MUCH LESS WITH THE DEGREE OF QUALITY AND REALISM SHOWN."


"thses" guy is an authentic moron.  I've excreted higher quality materials than what he has for sale.

there is a very good reason why he can't get 15 bucks for the hideous products he attempts to unleash upon the masses:

http://cgi.ebay.com/C-1927-ARIZONA-ROAD-MARKER-SIGN-W-NATIVE-AMER-SWAZTIKA_W0QQitemZ280453148336QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414c4f6eb0

yep, 14.99 and didn't sell... what a joker, scanning in the 1927 Rand McNally atlas and passing it off as an actual highway marker. 
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 29, 2010, 03:16:44 AM
Quote from: ctsignguy on January 29, 2010, 12:57:45 AM
was on slightly thinner than standard aluminum as opposed to the steel Illy used on their US cutouts

Illy did use aluminum for their cutouts in the late 50s and early 60s (I believe they switched away from cutouts once and for all in '62 or so) - the difference between the real signs intended for field use, and the ones made in 1976 as a commemoration, is that the real signs have reflective sheeting, while the 1976 edition is all non-reflective.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on January 29, 2010, 07:39:54 AM
You are quite right.....i forgot about that detail....my bad....
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on February 10, 2010, 04:48:37 PM
And another fake trying to pass itself off as legit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Real-US-Route-66-Scorched-Road-Sign-from-New-Mexico_W0QQitemZ130365996532QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e5a6b3df4
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Brandon on February 10, 2010, 04:52:59 PM
Quote from: US71 on February 10, 2010, 04:48:37 PM
And another fake trying to pass itself off as legit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Real-US-Route-66-Scorched-Road-Sign-from-New-Mexico_W0QQitemZ130365996532QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e5a6b3df4

Geeze, that's such an obvious fake.  No US-66 sign ever had the word "Route" on it in the field.
Where do these folks come from trying to pass this stuff off as genuine?
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: agentsteel53 on February 10, 2010, 05:18:06 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 10, 2010, 04:52:59 PM
No US-66 sign ever had the word "Route" on it in the field.

I have seen one.  A Mojave County Highway Department issue from the early 1960s.  

(//www.aaroads.com/shields/img/AZ/AZ19620661i1.jpg)

But that one is not printed cheaply on .04 aluminum with garish clown fonts.  The eBay one is indeed hideously fake.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on October 17, 2010, 12:11:17 PM
He's at it again:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280576347689&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

"EACH BUYER IS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY THE QUALITY, CONSTRUCTION, SIZE, WEIGHT AND REALISM OF THESE SIGN REPROS!!!."

"ONE BUYER TOOK HIS SIGN TO THE PRESTIGIOUS LEMAY MUSEUM IN TACOMA, WA (LOOK IT UP, IT IS THE LARGEST AUTOMOBILE/ TRANSPORTATION, ETC MUSEUM IN THE WORLD), TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND APPRAISED BY THEIR PROFESSIONAL RESTORATION STAFF. THEY ADVISED HIM THE SIGN WAS MOST CERTAINLY FROM THE 1930'S ERA. THERE WERE A LOT OF RED FACES WHEN HE TOLD THEM IT WAS ONLY A FEW WEEKS OLD!!!"

---
PT Barnum: "There's a sucker born every minute"

Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Scott5114 on October 17, 2010, 09:30:57 PM
"THEY AR 24''X24'' AS PER THE ORIGINALS." 24x24 shields weren't introduced until 1948!
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Zmapper on October 17, 2010, 09:49:20 PM
That looks sooo real!  :pan:
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: corco on October 17, 2010, 09:53:27 PM
That's so absurd- it's like a sign sales troll.

I mean, even if that sign is horribly fake, it still looks like it took a moderate amount of effort- if you're going to put any amount of time into something it seems like you should at least be able to get it sort of right. I feel like this guy knows his signs suck and gets off on selling bad ones.

I'm really trying to figure out who actually buys a sign like that- I'd assume that most people who 'pay $80 for a road sign are sign enthusiasts on some level, and it seems like they would at least be able to recognize a correct shield shape!
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on October 18, 2010, 11:10:50 AM
I like THIS one. I've never seen one like it , but it looks legit. I'll have to make a photoshop of it ;)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIG-south-dakota-US-16-ROAD-SIGN-embossed-shield-nice_W0QQitemZ140464068258QQcategoryZ14048QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4900470085245501753

I'm sure one of the Forum denizens will get this one.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: deathtopumpkins on October 18, 2010, 05:44:59 PM
Quote from: corco on October 17, 2010, 09:53:27 PM
I'm really trying to figure out who actually buys a sign like that- I'd assume that most people who 'pay $80 for a road sign are sign enthusiasts on some level, and it seems like they would at least be able to recognize a correct shield shape!

...or the fact that US route shields never actually said "ROUTE" on them.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: agentsteel53 on October 18, 2010, 07:20:48 PM
Quote from: US71 on October 18, 2010, 11:10:50 AM
I like THIS one. I've never seen one like it , but it looks legit. I'll have to make a photoshop of it ;)


it is legit.  Some sign collector, likely not anyone on this forum, will get it.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on October 19, 2010, 08:08:32 PM
How about THIS loverly gem of....erm, something or other....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400164628734&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Alex on October 19, 2010, 10:22:38 PM
Quote from: ctsignguy on October 19, 2010, 08:08:32 PM
How about THIS loverly gem of....erm, something or other....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400164628734&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

And it got a bid  :pan:
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: rickmastfan67 on October 19, 2010, 10:50:26 PM
Quote from: ctsignguy on October 19, 2010, 08:08:32 PM
How about THIS loverly gem of....erm, something or other....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400164628734&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

All I can say is: "WTF?!?!?!"
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on October 20, 2010, 12:31:54 AM
a bid? O_o!

*goes to look*

Oh fer cryin' out loud....
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on October 20, 2010, 12:39:11 AM
I'd pay $35 for it (Yeah, I know it has a bid for $50).  But I'd know full well it's not a "legit" highway shield. It might be signage for some business for all we know.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on October 20, 2010, 10:12:08 AM
Quote from: Adam Smith on October 20, 2010, 12:39:11 AM
I'd pay $35 for it (Yeah, I know it has a bid for $50).  But I'd know full well it's not a "legit" highway shield. It might be signage for some business for all we know.

Or a Hollyweird prop....
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on October 20, 2010, 10:35:03 AM
Quote from: ctsignguy on October 19, 2010, 08:08:32 PM
How about THIS loverly gem of....erm, something or other....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400164628734&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

My best guess is a business or some kind of advertising. I found a Bistro Americana as well as an Americana Inn, but nothing that referred to "6700"
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on November 04, 2010, 09:57:18 AM
Quote from: ctsignguy on October 19, 2010, 08:08:32 PM
How about THIS loverly gem of....erm, something or other....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400164628734&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Sold for $62
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on April 03, 2011, 02:18:19 PM
Here's one that again seems to be passing itself off as a genuine article:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Route-66-Directional-Sign-/290551652448?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a63a6060#ht_500wt_1159
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Alps on April 03, 2011, 02:20:18 PM
Quote from: US71 on April 03, 2011, 02:18:19 PM
Here's one that again seems to be passing itself off as a genuine article:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Route-66-Directional-Sign-/290551652448?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a63a6060#ht_500wt_1159
The arrow is genuine.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on April 03, 2011, 03:13:40 PM
*wonders what lurks beneath the tinplate fake.....
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Alex on April 03, 2011, 07:31:29 PM
Quote from: ctsignguy on April 03, 2011, 03:13:40 PM
*wonders what lurks beneath the tinplate fake.....

or maybe you should have phrased it "wonders what is barried beneath the tinplate fake"  :-P

QuoteThis is the real deal,I live 1/4 mile off old Route 66 in New Mexico and found this sign half barried in dirt one day about 5 yrs ago.It is still on its original backing and you can see where it was attached to the sign post. A real piece of Ol' 66. This sign is not the Highway sign,this sign is a directional sign that pointed the way to U.S.66.It is a harder find because they were tossed away out of hand when the signs came down.This sign was found on the shoulder of Old 66.

Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on April 03, 2011, 11:07:41 PM
After a number of complaints from people on the Route 66 e-list, the sign has been removed from e-bay.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: cjk374 on April 03, 2011, 11:19:16 PM
Is it always the same person putting all of these on e-bay, or different ones?
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on April 03, 2011, 11:22:59 PM
Quote from: cjk374 on April 03, 2011, 11:19:16 PM
Is it always the same person putting all of these on e-bay, or different ones?

This was somebody new to e-bay, but there's another guy who pops up every couple months with artificially aged fake signs. He's been notified he's selling bogus goods, but never replies. He has been reported to e-bay, but they've never done anything.

Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: RJ145 on January 27, 2012, 09:40:45 PM
I'm wondering about this one. I wonder if he has any pictures that don't look like they were taken by a third grader

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTREMELY-RARE-ROUTE-66-ROAD-SIGN-ARIZONA-CIRCA-1940s-Pre-WWII-Wooden-sign-/220937839801?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3370ebe4b9
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: US71 on January 27, 2012, 10:30:40 PM
Quote from: RJ145 on January 27, 2012, 09:40:45 PM
I'm wondering about this one. I wonder if he has any pictures that don't look like they were taken by a third grader

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTREMELY-RARE-ROUTE-66-ROAD-SIGN-ARIZONA-CIRCA-1940s-Pre-WWII-Wooden-sign-/220937839801?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3370ebe4b9

It appears legit... or at least more legit that some of the other stuff out there.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Alps on January 28, 2012, 06:28:58 AM
Quote from: RJ145 on January 27, 2012, 09:40:45 PM
I'm wondering about this one. I wonder if he has any pictures that don't look like they were taken by a third grader

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTREMELY-RARE-ROUTE-66-ROAD-SIGN-ARIZONA-CIRCA-1940s-Pre-WWII-Wooden-sign-/220937839801?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3370ebe4b9
Yeah I think it's legit. I also think the guy only has a cell phone, no actual camera, and it doesn't possess flash.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: ctsignguy on January 28, 2012, 09:50:32 AM
I think it is legit too, but it isnt as old as he thinks it is....
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: PurdueBill on January 28, 2012, 11:00:34 AM
Quote from: Upside down frog in a triangle on January 28, 2012, 06:28:58 AM
Yeah I think it's legit. I also think the guy only has a cell phone, no actual camera, and it doesn't possess flash.

For listing something for $6600, one would hope that the seller would at least borrow a camera that would produce better pictures.  Strange.  At least the sign does appear a lot more legit than some of the other entries in the thread.
Title: Re: Fake Signs
Post by: Alps on January 28, 2012, 11:32:30 AM
Quote from: PurdueBill on January 28, 2012, 11:00:34 AM
Quote from: Upside down frog in a triangle on January 28, 2012, 06:28:58 AM
Yeah I think it's legit. I also think the guy only has a cell phone, no actual camera, and it doesn't possess flash.

For listing something for $6600, one would hope that the seller would at least borrow a camera that would produce better pictures.  Strange.  At least the sign does appear a lot more legit than some of the other entries in the thread.
If he listed it starting at $660 he may actually get a bite.