Should We Publish a List Rating Authenticators?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Louie reeves on February 5, 2012 at 11:03am

The problem with this is no matter you point to as good someone can come up with an example of one they got wrong, nobody is perfect, so its a random shot with anybody depending on the item in question....

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Permalink Reply by Robert Litzenberger on April 9, 2012 at 8:03am

Nobody being perfect does not mean it's a random shot. Good authenticators always come across material they haven't seen before, and they should know whether that means they have to put extra research in or should admit that they can't authenticate the item. Knowing when you aren't the best expert is part of the expertise.

In any event, the list should say up front that even the highest rating does not mean the authenticator will never err, and it should specify where relevant what the person's area of expertise is. For example, there are several authenticators I wouldn't hesitate to consult on a historical autograph, but whom I would never look to for an opinion on a contemporary musician. If I did - and of course I mean reliable, reputable authenticators - they would only refer me to someone with that expertise, or would get that person's opinion themselves.

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Permalink Reply by Victor Cotto on February 18, 2012 at 12:18pm

Someone, please help...

Does this site sell legitimate signed memorabilia? 

http://www.prestigeautographs.com/index.php

Also, what about:

http://www.hollywoodmemorabilia.com/

Need to know, as I want to purchase items that are signed in those sites. HELP.

Thanks in advance.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin-Moderator on February 18, 2012 at 1:07pm

Victor,

Prestige Autographs sells nothing but forgeries as far as I've seen.

HollywoodMemorabilia.com is like SportsMemorabilia.com: They're basically consignment shops, selling whatever vendors want to place there for sale. You'll find some genuine and some forgeries.

If the autographs have independent authentication, stick with PSA/DNA and JSA. For Madonna and other music, add Roger Epperson. But autographs authenticated by GA, GAI, PAAS, ACE, STAT, TTA, Christopher Morales, Don Frangipani, AAU/Drew Max and Frank Garo are very likely to be fake.

No matter who has authenticated them, or if they are, you're welcome to ask free opinions from members of this site.

It's extremely hard to find genuine Madonna autographs, so be especially careful there. And Kill Bill posters are really tough, too. I'm not sure if I've seen a genuine one with more than one or two autographs on it.

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Permalink Reply by Victor Cotto on February 18, 2012 at 12:19pm

I need to buy a Kill Bill signed movie poster and some Madonna signed items.

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 19, 2012 at 8:43am

while cyrkin is still in intense circuit training I wonder if we can simply have some software that allows people to cast their "ballots" for authenticators & dealers with their own verbiage.

I don't know if this software of AML offers that but NetFlix, Hulu, Amazon and so on have that feature.  I would have pointed to DOLOs (the miltaria blog) as it had one for dealers by dealer but it appears that after it came back up online for a brief time it appears to have closed down.

In reading them, it is very subjective many times which is why the verbiage to defend your rating is important.

 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin-Moderator on February 19, 2012 at 4:44pm

DB,

Yes, we can put a polling application like that in, but we need to find a way to minimize subjectivity and abuse. 

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 20, 2012 at 12:55am

I doubt that would be doable because it is so subjective and "personal" to the poster.

If however, as in the "rules" (which we have to revisit" at some point) instills that members of AML list on their "sign-up" form contact information which will be verified it might help minimize posers like we saw with Vinny over on the dolos thread and many through out these threads.

More often than not, polls, reflect disatisfaction commentary but I also suspect there are a number of more "level headed people" around here (or I'd like to believe that's the case).  Does the poll you speak of have a 5 star rating approach?

maybe you run a test period and see how it goes...  

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin-Moderator on February 20, 2012 at 1:02am

I think we need to be more objective than just voting for your favorite authentication company. That makes it nothing more than a popularity contest.

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 20, 2012 at 1:08am

all polls are "popularity" oriented...

what do you think Rick Garceau (or several others) might have said initially about ARA -vs- what they might say today?  I would think it would be a 180 degree turnaround.

Nonetheless, if someone rates a 4 and gives no rationale for the rating and another gives it a 2 with rationale...  which one might carry more weight?   Objectivity is often relative.

 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin-Moderator on February 20, 2012 at 1:23am

Thinking about it more I don't think a poll makes sense. PSA/DNA and JSA are the most popular by far. Do we need a poll to confirm the obvious? What we need to do is look at each service's authentications over time, the strong areas and weak ones, today and over the years.

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 20, 2012 at 2:45am

If it's one of those simple level polls you are suggesting then I'd agree.

I was thinking of a more advanced type evaluation that exists in a number of places,,,

since psa/dna nor jsa actually identify who the authenticator is it is made much more difficult in many ways to assess historical -vs- today as compared to our non-existent Nicholas Burczyk COAs.

Too bad DOLOs is down as their "dealer" rating seemed to have similarity to EBAY's seller ratings (w/o the subcategory ratings; price, communication...)

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