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Permalink Reply by AJ Jones on August 29, 2015 at 1:22am

It has already been discovered that there is a unusual spike in the amount of 80's styled MJ signatures coming on the market.  Knaisz has also been allegedly caught previously selling impressive forgeries.  The fact that this is a text book mid 80's styled Michael Jackson signature on a late 90's HIStory Era item, with a starting bid of 1.00 with NO reserve price should definitely be cause for alarm and suspicion.  Anybody buying one of these 80's styled Michael Jackson signatures at this point should proceed with extreme caution....

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Permalink Reply by wascher on August 29, 2015 at 1:29am

I had actually just saved this one in my files.  I also found the ink in the crease marks interesting. 

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Permalink Reply by James on August 29, 2015 at 3:21am

You know it always makes me laugh when an item is not signed with the correct autograph style for a particular era. So many forgers make glaring mistakes that you would think they would be smart enough to catch.

Notice how the slant of the "Michael" is to the left, but the "Jackson" essentially has no slant either way.

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Permalink Reply by AJ Jones on August 29, 2015 at 7:45am

That slant is a Michael trait that they also got right...Who ever is churning those out did their homework

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Permalink Reply by James on August 29, 2015 at 2:18pm

Those are good examples, A.J. But also I think MJ did many times slant both to the left. But you're right, this may be a non-issue. However, obviously, putting an 80s sig on a later 90s item would be the proof-in-the-pudding.

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Permalink Reply by AJ Jones on August 29, 2015 at 2:28pm

Yes, there are variations with slight slants to the left, some straight up and down. I think it's just really important to be careful who to buy from now as forgeries are getting harder to detect. This is a great example of that. Had that signature been on a right piece, with a high price starting point, it could have really fooled anyone.  The start price being so low, no reserve and a big influx of this style of signature really helped us out. At this point, I would only buy from other fans with great reputations when buying MJ, Or buy one that has more handwriting on it, the more words the better. 

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Permalink Reply by James on August 31, 2015 at 2:08am

Great points, AJ, every one of them. And you are certainly right about that piece. If that forgery had been put on the right item, it would have probably fooled just about everyone. Dang, I hate good forgers! And unfortunately, since we all know they're out there, it can shy people away from buying autographs. I guess we just have to stay vigilant.

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