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U2 by U2 Signed

Hi guys.

I have a favor to ask. I am considering buying this book privately. I was wondering if I can get an opinion on this signed book U2 by U2. Is there any experts who can render an opinion on it. It seems okay to me from looking at other examples but I realize that this is also a band that we would see forged.

Roger if you see this can you please give me your thoughts.

Thanks for your help.

David

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Permalink Reply by DP on April 21, 2011 at 6:59am

Hi guys.

I also came across this signed book but I am am not sure on this one either now. Can you please give me your thoughts on this one. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on April 21, 2011 at 7:20am

David - the signatures are absolutely right.

BUT, there are signature preprints on one of the first few pages of the book (i.e. "autographs" that EVERY book has!). When I got my signed copy, the seller actually put a sticky note on the preprint page saying "Not this page!" They do look similar to the real deal, as the band used gold paint pen for the Barnes and Noble signings.

Let me check my copies of the book when I get home this afternoon (I haven't opened that book in a long time). I'm pretty sure those are the pre-prints though.

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Permalink Reply by DP on April 21, 2011 at 7:28am

Okay. The seller told me they weren't sure as they are not the original owner but they felt that they look like original signatures. Thanks again for your help Richard.

David

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Permalink Reply by Rich on April 21, 2011 at 8:04am

No problem. Like I said, I'll check to be sure, but I'm almost certian those are the preprints.

If you're still looking for a U2 by U2 book, here's a few things to keep in mind:

1) When fans and in-person collectors have an opportunity to meet the fan and get their autograph, most have ticket stubs, CDs, album covers, posters and photos. It doesn't seem like many haul around this coffee table book. Just about every authentic example of a full-band signed book is from the 2006 Barnes & Noble books signings (by fan club invite only) in New York and the UK.

2) It's hard to find one that is not inscribed, but it is possible. Plenty of ebay sellers crashed the event, as noted on fan blogs. Many sellers removed inscriptions (which is quite noticable) before posting the ebay listing. Bono and Larry liked adding the "Beautiful Ebay" incription for the people who were obviously not fans.

3) Right after the signings, ebay had quite a lot of these. Authentic signed books went for $800 - $1500 if I remember correctly (I tried bidding for a while, until I realized how insane the prices were). Most owners of authentic signed books might be hestitant to part with them for much less. True fans who got the invite letter themselves are even less likely to sell them at all.

4) With the possible exception of Bono, the band signed these books pretty consistently. Hence it's easier to spot a fake U2 signed book than a CD, album, photo, etc. A number of fakes sprung up on ebay alongside the authentic ones, but the fakes were easier to spot. Regardless, some of the fakes went for hundreds of dollars.

5) I've seen a few otherwise decent dealers duped by these. One dealer in the UK had three for sale - only one looked real.

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Permalink Reply by DP on April 21, 2011 at 11:44am

I didn't buy it. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by DP on May 5, 2011 at 5:18am

Hi guys.

I came across this other item. What do you think of this one?

David

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Permalink Reply by Rich on May 5, 2011 at 7:03am

Nah, it's no good. None of the sigs looks quite right, and the Bono is way off-base.

The best part about band-signed items is that forgers tend to completely blow it on at least one of the forgeries.

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Permalink Reply by DP on May 5, 2011 at 7:07am

Okay. I'll just have to be patient. I appreciate your help.

David

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Permalink Reply by Rich on May 5, 2011 at 7:10am

No problem. As always, you might want to consult Roger for another opinion, but I wouldn't buy that at any price.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on May 5, 2011 at 7:53am

Yeah - at least it's a better attempt than that signed book, lol.

There's a certain seller out there who sells what I believe to be very competent full band-signed forgeries. At first glance, one exmaple leaves you kind of scratching your head . . . pretty close. Then when I've seen the other examples over the years, it's been more than apparent that the same person is signing all the albums and photos.