What kind of member are you? (Check as many as apply.)

Professional Authenticator

What would you like to tell us about yourself, your collecting, or business.

As a professional in historical autographs, my main interests are important figures in US and European history, literature, art, and music, specifically Revolutionary War, Civil War, and English autographs.

What is your level of expertise?

Professional

Why do you want to join Autograph Live?

I've been in the business for a decade as a cataloguer and authenticator for RM Smythe and its successor, Spink Smythe. I've also worked for the Manuscript Society as editor of their newsletter. I'm primarily interested in discussions about the industry and about authentication.

What are your areas of interest?

History/Politics, Books/Literature, Classic Hollywood and Stage, Music, Space/Aviation/Military

Why do you collect?

I'm a professional and was drawn into it by my love of history and research.

What is your favorite autograph in your collection?

I'm not a collector, but there's just something about a George Washington autograph that is always special. We recently sold a John Adams letter written to Elbridge Gerry (then VP) about his relations with Washington and England.

You can ask anyone living or dead for their autograph. Who would it be?

William Shakespeare