RR Auctions predicts the future of autograph authentication is a third-party world

Post after post on this and other message boards have opposed third-party authentication efforts that I believe are aimed at making our industry better. I think this constant bickering is petty, short sighted, and in the long run only hurts the hobby.

Reputable authentication services like PSA/DNA and their competitor JSA are the future of authentication in the autograph hobby. As I pointed out in my other blog entry, Bob Eaton and Bill White at www.RRAuction.com have seen literally millions of signed items … good and bad. But these guys still respect the opinion of their industry compadres—men and women who are leading experts in their respective field of autograph study—and continuously seek their input on items.

When an impartial third party reviews an item for RR Auction, another auction company, or even an individual, they’re providing their independent, expert opinion pertaining to an item’s authenticity. In case you missed it, the key word here is “impartial.” There’s no collusion. There’s no conspiracy. And these guys certainly are not incompetent. There’s no hidden agenda … the only motive is getting it right. That’s why RR Auction uses their services.

When it comes to authenticating material, this industry desperately needs a consensus. The more people in agreement over the authenticity—or lack thereof—of an item, the better. Wouldn’t you rather have an item that multiple sources have OK’d, rather than something that only one person has, while another four or five may question its authenticity?

Before you start typing your response, I’ll happily concede that many of these individuals have built their fortunes and their reputations by being correct far more than they’ve been off the mark. Yet, these well-meaning people don’t like change and they clearly hate being disagreed with by other experts.

The autograph market isn’t the first hobby to face this kind of change. Coin collectors turned up their noses at authenticating and grading; so did card collectors. But talk to your buddies who are involved in these pursuits. Or you may dabble in them yourself. Card and coin collectors lust after those “slabbed” treasures more than anything else. Got something graded 8.5 by PSA? They immediately want one that’s a 9, not only because it’s better, but also because the experts say that it’s better.

So why should autograph collectors want anything less? And we’re not even talking about “better” but “authentic” ... the real deal. Not a clever forgery or an autopen or a secretarial example. An autograph they don’t get an argument over when they try to sell or consign it.

The new breed of collectors are demanding third-party authentication. “Because I said so” may work for parents but it’s no longer going to work for a guy who’s asking a ton of money for an autograph who may have nothing, including expertise, to back it up.

I firmly believe that cultivating relationships with third-party authenticators is essential in keeping our hobby strong. Veteran authenticators aren’t going to be around forever, and they are going to have to pass on their wisdom to the next generation of authenticators, who right now are honing their skills.

I hope that collectors and forums like this will begin to insist that everyone participating in the hobby support an industry-wide third-party system. This is the future and it’s better to grab it now. Clearly, for some people out there, it’s understandably going to take some extra time and effort to build that trust, but this is the best solution for cleaning out the garbage and building a safer, more successful hobby for new collectors.

The resistance on the part of some people is understandable—but it’s counterproductive to the industry as a whole.

Tags: auction, authentic, authenticating, autograph, autographed, autographs, psa, rr, rrauction, rrauction.com, More…rrauctions

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Comment by stipe on November 28, 2011 at 1:08pm: I don't mind third party authentication, I just mind that bloody little sticker tagged on the corner of the item. I am a bit anal about that.

I have a signed Crosby, Stills, Nash which is authenticated by REAL, and Roger takes a picture of the signature and tags it onto the letter. This method I prefer.

I have seen PSA do this as well. Though, for the most part, I come accross that sticker in auctions.

Comment by Bobby Livingston on March 28, 2011 at 10:17am: Rich,

I made this prediction based on what we are seeing at RR Auction everyday and the desires of our clientele. No one wants to buy something that won't pass an unbiased look. Why should they?

As far as "not necessary an educated guess," that simply is not the case here. Our in-house authenticators are respected experts in the area's we represent. We almost always agree with the opinions of our third party consultants. We know they get it right 99% of the time because we see it and we know they take authentication as seriously as we do.

If we were seeing a higher percentage of mistakes, we would not use them. People will save a lot of money and heartache by using auctions and dealers who respect third party.

BL

Comment by DB on March 28, 2011 at 10:14am: Rich - oh how so true although I'd wager that there % of accurate -vs- inaccurate is better than 50% of the time... as far as a 2003 topps signed mantle have you checked on Coach's Commode as one never knows what one will find signed by the Top Notch Forensice Examiner. When you compare the current 3rd party people against this sorry group, I'll side with 3rd parties before them and especially do your homework on the T&Cs of returns as I write about in another thread. It is as equally important when you are obtaining something from anyone else.

Comment by Rich Hirsh on March 28, 2011 at 9:18am: I have to say that I do not agree with the third party authenticators being a help to the hobby or at least the ones that are out there now. Yes, with cards, coins and stamps I do agree there is a place for them as their opinions are based on actual conditions and not as much subjective. With autographs the authenticators opinion is strictly subjective and all you are doing is paying up to $150 for an opinion and we all know what an opinion is worth. It is basically a guess and not necessary an educated guess and third party authenticators have a 50% chance of getting it correct. Check into some of the guys behind the table at JSA or PSA and see what their educational background is and I am willing to bet that most will be equal to or less than the average long term collector. I am sure we all heard the stories where someone got the autograph in person and it was rejected by one of these authenticators or seen the news reports where the news caster forges an autograph on camera and then gets it to pass an authentication process. There should be only one authenticator for autographs and that is yourself. Before you buy and autograph do your homework. Look up signature studies or known examples and make sure the medium was available at the time when the person was alive. Lets face it Mickey Mantle is not going to sign a 2003 Topps card anytime soon. Also, do your homework on the dealer you are buying it from and find out as much as you can about how the autograph was obtained and if they will stand by their merchandise for life. This hobby has been around for many more years than these third party authenticators and it will be around for years after they fall by the wayside. Collect what you love and know and educate yourself as much as you can. You will save yourself a lot of money and enjoy your hobby a mot more.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin on January 28, 2011 at 12:32pm: We're launching a census of band-signed Beatles albums. We look forward to everyone participating--and helping us get the word out! The announcement has a current count of the known genuine Beatles albums signed by the whole band.

http://live.autographmagazine.com/profiles/blogs/autograph-magazine...

Comment by Rick Brzyski on January 27, 2011 at 4:54am: @ Anthony Bautista --- you are right on many fronts one just because they have a no-return policy doesn't mean you cannot get your money back with due diligence. You have to go to the credit card companies and fight for your rights. As with respect to JSA and PSA they will not say much over their mistakes because are advised by legal counsel not too ; because it may implicate them legally, Just ask John Reznikoff and others how that works out. I can't believe Justin Priddy is still authenticating autographs @ ACE -- he destroyed GAI now this.

Comment by DB on January 5, 2011 at 4:42am: but contrary to popular belief, Cyrkin does have running water and there is no truth to his having to carry it in from the creek. And speaking of creaks, I suppose some of you are indeed artifcats but the question of historical relevance continues....

oh, how we stray.

Comment by Rick Badwey on January 5, 2011 at 4:26am: Are you following this cameraman?

Comment by john reznikoff on January 4, 2011 at 7:57pm: Bill,
I want to put your head on the body of "Wee Man" from Jackass. I will send a check for $10 to the first person that does it. A sure favorite. Too bad I
A. Dont know how
B. Have a life.