The Authentic Autograph
Written By Gary Kozera
Owner, Collector-Corner.com
Ebay ID: memorabiliacorner.com

Autograph Collecting is Rewarding, if you know what you are looking for.
The old saying " If it seems too good to be true, it probably is" applies to collecting legitimate autographs. Finding legitimate sources in this age is confusing and many people do not know how to distinguish a good autograph from a bad one, or a reputable dealer from a forgist.

Many people who write articles simply say "research the autograph before you buy it". But in the auction house frenzy, many autographs purchases may be found at the last minute. Its tough to research whether that item is legit and a good investment, or simply a forgery and worthless.

Many Many people have become proficient at nearly perfecting the autographs that they are forging. Simply comparing the autographs by the naked eye, and with limited magnification available, its truly absurd to think that this method is good for spotting the professional forger. The Forger who offers a pathetic attempt will probably get caught. The Professional Forger may never get caught.

A few examples come to mind. A supposed bat boy for the New York Yankees fooled the experts at Authentication Service in believing that several Mantle
autograph(s) were original. Elvis Presley body guards supposedly had perfected Elvis's autograph. The wife of Lou Gehrig also came close to perfecting her husbands' autograph when he was unable to sign autograph requests. Some of these Autographs are called "secretarial" or "clubhouse" or simply forgeries. In all three cases, it doesn't matter - -  they all are not authentic autographs.

Morals and getting caught in the middle are a big part as well. Say you purchase an item that looks authentic, and after a few years, you no longer have the desire to keep that collectible, and sell it. After selling it, you find out that you've been kicked off Ebay or Yahoo, and have to answer questions from the United States Postal Service and the FBI for selling a fake autograph. How do you protect yourself?

There are many avenues on where to get autographs. Classified Ads, Auction web sites online, and Auction Houses in person and online.

Online you can look for mechandise thats already authenticated. There are a few different authenticators out there, but the majority of the authentication services used are GAI (Global Authentication Incorporated) PSA DNA (Professional Sports and Autographs) and JSA (James Spence Authenticated). Each one of the major sports has its own authentication sticker as well. Players have created and use their own stickers for authenticity, like Dan Marino, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr. and many others.

In an Online auction web site like Yahoo or Ebay, there may be a service called "PSA DNA" quick opinion that costs around $10.00. Visit the psadna web site and look for the "quck Opinion" service. This service will look at the autograph in question and give you answer whether it looks authentic or not. Remember, this is a quick assessment of the item, not a complete extensive examination. In most cases, this service is accurate. Using the 'Quick opinion" service is a matter of choice. Its a good choice if the item is a High-end collectible, potentially worth alot of money if authentic. But is the fee worth it if your purchasing something thats of minimal value, say under $50.00. Thats up to you. Thats where value and piece of mind play a big part.

PSA DNA and GAI offer a mail in authentication service. These services can take some time. You send the item in, and they will have thier certified experts look at the autograph and determine whether it is authentic or not. The fees vary, depending on the player involved. You simply download the submission form, and look up how much it costs at the site for the players' autograph to be authenticated. You can expected a 3-4 week turn around for the auhentication process, since many of the authenticators also travel to offer their services at trade shows and auction houses. I always call and see if there is a good time frame to send in my collectibles. TYPICALLY, you can expect to spend a minimum of $20.00 for an authentication fee, plus a shipping fee of at least $10.00 to get it to the authenticators, and at least another $10.00 to get the item mailed back to you. Some auction houses charge the authentication fee whether or not the item is authentic. In that example, thats an additional $40.00 minimum that an authentication will cost on that item. It MIGHT be cheaper, and less hassles if you bought an authenticated item, if they are readily available. But again, thats up to you !

Most auction Houses (not Ebay or Yahoo but places like Sothebys or Christies and others) have an authentication service come into thier business and look over the merchandise that is going up for auction. IF PSA DNA is involved, they do an "auction house PSA DNA authentication letter", which basically means they have looked over the merchandise quickly and somewhat carefully and it looks authentic. Should you win a lot, they tyipcally will mail you the item and the PSA DNA paperwork included with that lot. Sometimes, PSA DNA will offer you a "special" where you can mail in the auction house PSA DNA authentication letter, along with the item and "upgrade" to a full letter of authenticity. Personally, I think the auction house authentication letter on PSA DNA letterhead is sufficient, and normally will not upgrade. With auction houses purchases, be aware what your about to buy has probably traveled many action houses and been handled alot. Depending on the item and the owner, it may be put back on the aucion block at the same or another auction house. Some items can be less than mint.

Obtain a book like Sport Collectors Digest "Standard Catalog of Sports Memorabilia"by Krause Publications. This book has some examples of legit autographs, as wel as a general price of what the merchandise is worth. It has a wide variety of memorabilia in it, and is not all that expensive.

Additioanally,Get yourself a three ring binder and find some pictures of autographs you collect, or want to collect that are truly authentic. Simply print and put them in the binder so you have a quick easy reference should you have time to match up the legit binder and the autographed item your looking at. I use this method only as a last minute thing.

Home Grown Certificates - The company's certificate of Authenticity is only as good as the person thats behind it. it doesn't hold any weight at all that the item is authentic, unless they are a MAJOR wholesaler and/or have had someone in or a private signing. Home grown certificates of authenticity or ticket stubs from a sport show that are not attached to the item are always questionable. The item can simply be replaced from seller to seller. Thats why some sort of authentication sticker on an item is important.

If you like they stuff a seller is offering, and they have "home grown" certificates of authenticity, simply send one of the items you bought from them in for certification. It doesnt have to be the most expensive item, but this way you can see that what they are selling is truly authentic, and can continue to shop with them, knowing that they are probably legit.

Lets talk about how one can go about finding out whether or not an autograph is authentic or not. Lets also touch on a subject on how many forgers will balk at sending you a fake, because you are knowledgable about autographs and the law. Part of the "auction experience" is to find a gem in the rough - to get that deal of a century. Haste makes waste they say, so be careful when jumping on something too quickly.

Rarely, I will take a chance on an autographed item thats not authenticated. I will send the seller an email and let them know that the transaction that is about to happen or has happened is a TWO WAY transaction. It is my responsibility to make payment in a timely fashion, where as it is the sellers responsibility to provide the item in question - - an authentic autograph.

When I purchase online, I typically use Paypal. I put in a clause - a write up in the "Notes to Seller" in the paypal payment block that mentions that I will expect a full refund if the item that is being sold fails authentication from a major authentication service. Should the item fail authentication and payment in full is not returned, that I will consider excersising the option to contact customer service at where the item was put on (eg; Ebay) and I will contact the FBI Fraud Hotline, and the United States Postal Marshall. If the item in question travels through the mail, the USPS Marshall can be contacted because it went through the mail system. I also add in a statement that it is to protect me and the investment I am about to purchase, and if the seller feels intimidated, they can simply return the funds in full and consider it a closed matter. If the seller balks and pulls out, I will contact the customer service department at the web site where the item was posted (eg; Ebay) and let them know what happened, so nothing can backfire - - maybe the seller is feeling the sting will become mad and send in a "strike against you" for non-payment after 10 days, or retaliate with a Negative Feedback. Protect yourself....Its simple - -  ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS communicate by email and keep the email chain in one email if at all possible. Always be polite and professional, it will keep the transaction plesant, keeping it from getting out of hand. Having emails, you can forward those to customer service as evidence, if it is needed. Let the seller know that your sending in the item for authentication. Some will bark back that they don't do a good job and that its their opinion the item is authentic. personally when some one says this, I think the person is trying to hide something. Those are the type that nomally will not send you an item, and give you your money back before they send the item off.

Additional ways to protect yourself:

1. Always pay for items using a method thats trackable. Payments via Paypal have an electronic payment trail. Should a question arise about the authenticity of an item and whom the payment was sent to, when it was sent, and where the person resides, it is easier traced that sending in a Money Order or Check. Paypal has a search function and cusomer support at Ebay/Paypal can assist in tracking down information if it can't be located within your account.

2. Taking or making payments should be to/from a confirmed address only. Make sure the email and addresses match when sending/taking payments or merchandise. Typically if a Paypal account has been compromised/hacked, the hacker will choose an address to deliver the merchandise that abandonded, empty or incorrect. They can then meet the delivery person, sign for the merchandise if required, and walk away with free merchandise, while using some one elses account.

3. ALWAYS type in the address into the web browser to sites you visit. That will protect you from clicking on a "forged" or spoofed web site address. Typically if a spoofed address is clicked on, the web page will look close to the original. When you type in your username and password at a forged site, it will typically give you an error. If you accidentally have done this, close your web browser down and make sure you manually type the address in to the site you were going to and change your password immediately. If they already have gotten into your account, contact the customer support line or email them as soon as possible.

4. In any situation make sure you ask questions about the item(s). Ask for additional photos and any documentation associated with the item. If the seller doesn't respond back at all, there is always some concern. Gut instinct comes into play. But nothing beats research. Read about the seller and learn as much as you can about them. It may reveal something that will aid you in whether or not to bid or purchase the item(s) in question.

5. There is no sure fire way to ensure the item is authentic, short of going to a sports show and witnessing the autograph yourself. There has been many businesses busted at selling forgeries, but not all businesses are bad.

Typically businesses that have wholesale accounts, and bring players in for private and public signings are probably legit. These businesses like Tristar Productions, Ironclad Authentics, Steiner Sports, Schwartz Sports, Mounted Memories and alot of others are truly legit. the legit businesses and their authorized resellers probably charge what seems like an awful high price for an autogaphed item, because it is quite expensive for the person autographing to come in and sign for a period of time.

6. Beware of "lifted" authentication stickers. Take a quick look at the sticker and make sure it looks like it hasn't been tampered with. Remember there is some wear and tear associated with memorabilia, and stickers can be damaged in handling or shipping. If it looks like it has been tampered with, you can always send it back in to an authentication service for that piece of mind. Some companies use a certifcation sticker that will fall apart when tampered with. Others may not use this type of sticker. If the item is supposed to come with a authentication card and a sticker, make sure you get both if they are available. Some companies are getting away from doing both the sticker and the authentication card. Some businesses will have a web page where you can check the certification number to see that it is in their registry and authentic. Some sites require an additional fee for this, and many people will not have the item put into the registry. More than likely the item is authentic, just not put into the system.

I won't tell you these methods are fool proof. I won't tell you these steps will help completely. I have been in the collectible market for over 30 years, and in business for close to 15 years. Through the years these methods have worked for me, and hopefully you will take something from this. I will add additional documentation about autographs on my website to include what the players usually charge for autographs at major shows. Feel free to stop in and read as much as you like. Good luck on all your future autograph hunts, and may you be successful on each and every one !