Muhammad Ali autographs

There are tons of Ali signatures on eBay and all over the net. I bought one signed while he was still fighting on an SI cover from 1976. But with his disability, his signature has changed, so many are questionable. I sent a few to PSA and they were turned down, although the seller said he personally witnessed them. What gives? Cassius Clay ones are obviously the most sought after. I'm looking for a Thomas Hauser book signed I can trust. But where to begin... Any thoughts or reactions?

Tags: ali, boxer, cassius, clay, fighter, goat, muhammad

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Permalink Reply by john reznikoff on October 6, 2010 at 2:22pm

Why not post a scan here? As authenticators we always hear about the fact that an item was signed in person....but that doesn't always mean the statement is true. Quite often it is not.

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hauser on October 6, 2010 at 2:33pm

Okay John, here's one that PSA turned down.

What do you think?

Attachments:

ali sig.jpg, 73 KB

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin-Moderator on October 6, 2010 at 3:22pm

This is one of those autographs where the seller could easily be telling the truth but it's irregular enough that the authenticator wasn't comfortable with it, even if they thought it could be real.

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hauser on October 6, 2010 at 7:18pm

It's hard to tell on my relative's book, that's for sure. So many different style sigs.

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Permalink Reply by john reznikoff on October 6, 2010 at 7:45pm

I agree with Travis and Steve. Very possibly real but I myself would not buy it

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hauser on October 6, 2010 at 8:01pm

Not gonna do it.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin-Moderator on October 6, 2010 at 8:19pm

That's the tightrope authenticators walk. They can only call what they feel sure of beyond a reasonable doubt about authentic and give the greatest protection to the buyer, or they can say "it may be good" and make the seller happy.

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hauser on October 6, 2010 at 8:58pm

And yet they can be wrong, either way. After all, these are only"opinions" and educated guesses at best. I have many autographs that have been not been authenticated but I did my own homework and feel confident they are fine. But I would need a PSA or similar certificate to sell them and that does not seem fair. Especially considering that I know what they are. I have been following the "Todd & Roger" show on the other forum and it's obvious that authentication can be vexing and confusing. I suggest that any buyer do their own research before relying on the "experts" to sway them. Ali is a prime example of a signer that offers many differing styles over the years.

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Permalink Reply by Darrel Wayne Cray on April 18, 2011 at 1:20pm

my father had gotten lucky to have the champ sign a program for him before i was born. i got that program after my dad passed. the program was destroyed in a flood in south carolina a few years before we moved back to ohio. i have been trying to replace that autograph ever since. I was destroyed by loss myself. it was something that kept my dad with me even after he was gone. i receive dthe same preprint that everyone is getting. i have his book and would love to get that signed if anyone has a lead that would pan out. it would mean the most to me. i miss my dad alot these days since i am dealing with thge same diseases that he dealt with himself.

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Permalink Reply by roger epperson on July 9, 2011 at 1:47pm

Jeffery

What is the Todd and Roger show?

also I will post an Ali signed album I got in a collection the other day. It's a trip to think he made an album.

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hauser on July 9, 2011 at 2:50pm

A while back in October of 2010, there were comments posted regarding you and Todd Mueller and authenticity of the autographs you sell. There were opinions on both sides. That was the reference. FYI, I have purchased from both of you guys. :-)

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Permalink Reply by roger epperson on July 11, 2011 at 4:03am

This is the Ali signed album I was talking about. I can only presume this is authentic because of the collection of authentic signed albums I bought from his estate. If I am wrong please chime in as I have no clue what an Ali autograph should look like. My guess would be this was signed in the 80's.