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This is why I hate "Proof Photos"

Take a look at the photos this seller has included. The photo of this man and George HW Bush is at least 20 years old, but the signed photo is from the 2010 or 2011 World Series.

Trying to fool unsuspecting buyers on eBay = Terrible seller and bad for the industry. And those who are smart enough to realize it are going to be turned away from the auction, regardless of their opinion of the authenticity of the signatures.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151395005331?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&a...

Thoughts? Opinions?

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Permalink Reply by Rich on September 6, 2014 at 9:54am

I assume this means that Jordan's autograph will nows be 7 grand.

I don't know. This seems extreme to the point of being kind of silly, and actually doesn't strike me as foolproof. And it's another reason for UDA to further inflate their already high prices.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Frost on September 6, 2014 at 11:05am

I am sorry but after 30+ years in this business and 15+ as an autograph authenticator, I have no faith at all in any proof photos. I do have an open ear to some types of providence, but photo proof unless it is and exact match up, letter for letter with a close up photo of the signer I would not even care to see it.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kaminski on September 6, 2014 at 11:31am

Here are proof photos I'm using for items I'm selling. Interested in what you guys think. This is the type of photo I consider "proof." I have photos of the celebrities at events but I do not consider that proof.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kaminski on September 6, 2014 at 11:32am

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Permalink Reply by Michael Frost on September 6, 2014 at 11:39am

Thank you

That would be what we consider a true proof photo.. Not a photo of a autograph collector standing next to a celebrity or a celebrity signing an item and then the dealer has several items for sale..

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Permalink Reply by Mike Kaminski on September 6, 2014 at 11:46am

You mean like this beauty?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Al-Pacino-Godafather-Scarface-Gotti-Heat-si...

I'll post a photo of a celebrity sometimes just to prove I was there when I can't get a photo (like Fan Expo where some celebrities were not allowing photographs of them signing) but I don't consider it proof.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Maxwell on November 16, 2014 at 1:58pm

Here are some ridiculous listings that use several different photos that don't even include the item being sold:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151478342224?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&a...

This listing includes THREE different photos of Carter from three different events signing items, including one of him at a book signing! The auction is for a signed baseball. Yeah, I can google "President Carter Signing" and find images too that have nothing to do with my listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321587235384?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&a...

This listing for a George W Bush ball includes a photo of the supposed ball and President Bush, but you can clearly see that the ball being held is NOT the 2010 All-Star ball up for auction. Also included is a photo of President Bush at a recent book signing. This seller states that Bush signed the ball after the event, which I find VERY hard to believe. They typically leave the book signings via a back door and keep the areas clear. I collect Presidential signatures and have never seen an authentic George W Bush signature with the "43" written as this ball has.

The sellers would probably defend the photos saying that they don't claim to the the actual items being sold, but I believe this is done to fool uneducated or unsuspecting buyers. The photos serve no point. They mind as well show a photo of the Presidents using the toilet if they could find such an image. It lends as much help as a photo from a book signing for a auction selling a signed baseball.