"My initial gut feel was that such a signed record would be likely to fetch $5,000 or more, including fees. Maybe I was being too bullish but surely such a unique item would command at least $3,000 given that much more common items regularly sell for…"
Authenticity is Everything
Ryan Wolfson's Discussions
Billie Holiday Autograph
Started this discussion. Last reply by a pug called eva 1 hour ago. 412 Replies 0 Likes
I purchased this 78 vinyl record purportedly signed by Billie Holiday…Continue
Ryan Wolfson's Page
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"That's fair enough.
I wasn't thinking that all Billie's autographs have to conform to all four of my so-called "rules", just that you wouldn't expect one of her autographs not to conform with any of them. We can only…"
"What do you consider significantly more than $900? And why would a forger choose a Blue Ace 78 instead of something on Commodore, which would be far more valuable and make much more sense?"
"I think your conclusion is leaning too heavily on constructing “rules” out of a relatively small and selective sample. Even the RR examples you’re referencing represent a narrow slice—primarily more formal or preserved…"
"Thanks for your considered and non-emotional response Ryan. I can imagine you are sick to the back teeth of this discussion. I will confess to having taken an unhealthy interest in your 78 but as an owner of a Holiday myself, bought by lucky chance…"
"If someone had the knowledge and intent to replicate a Billie signature at that level—studying exemplars, selecting the “correct” pen, even artificially aging it—you’d expect multiple outputs, not a one-off on a…"
"It was established earlier that there appear to be no signed 78's. I still think that true. "
"I initially asked how many signed Blue Ace have you seen? "
"You had asked how many Ace label 78's were on eBay and then I guess you pulled your question - there are 9 Blue Ace label Holidays on eBay right now. "
"Pug —
That’s a detailed write-up, but it leans heavily on the assumption that Billie Holiday signed her name with rigid consistency—which just isn’t borne out by the broader body of authentic examples.
You’re…"
"That may be how it could be done, but if someone went through that effort, you’d expect more than just one example to surface."
"That is precisely how it would be done. Buy a $25 copy and sign with the correct pen. Add age with a UV lamp..."
"That was before Roger—and before I did my own further research. I trust his assessment. This signature is being overanalyzed, especially by Pug, and it’s becoming ridiculous. The idea that someone bought it cheaply on eBay and then had…"
"It was you who first questioned this item in your initial response - "Does this appear to be authentic? ""
"Almost all forged Gleason's I have encountered were pencil, fountain or ballpoint. Experiences forgers use period correct pens materials."
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