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Authenticity is Everything
Let's Address This Theory: "The only way to know it's real is to see it signed yourself."
I frequently see this comment brought up in threads, and I think maybe it isn't a bad topic to discuss in depth a bit more. There is a certain truth to it, but it's too frequently used as a black and white blanket statement without addressing the endless range of possible circumstances.
"The only way to know for sure that an autograph is real is to see it signed yourself."
If we were to take that statement at 100% face value with no caveats, then it seems to me that there can only be one conclusion: All autographs are actually completely worthless.
Think about it. If provenance is impossible without first hand witnessing of the signing process, then how can these things have much of any value at all?
Obviously we know this isn't quite true. Signed historical signatures and rarities can fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars. No one alive today saw Abraham Lincoln sign anything, but his signature still goes for thousands. In this instance, it is possible to extensively study a signature and apply some "forensic science" in determining what's authentic and what's not. It's also a bit easier to come up with more definitive answers on authenticity based on how much more difficult it is to forge historical items than the scribbles on cheap photos. The average Ebay yahoo forging LeBron's name obviously can't pull off a 19th century letter without it being hysterically obvious to just about everyone.
But what about everything else? Let's consider the autographs most commonly talked about on this forum: Mantle/Williams/Dimaggio, The Beatles, Elvis . . . We have resident experts in these areas who would wholeheartedly dispute the notion that you can't tell if it's authentic just by looking at it. One gentleman on the forum today bluntly stated that only God knows if the Mantle ball he was selling on Ebay was authentic. That most certainly would beg the question of why he was charging $1000 for something that can't be authenticated without divine intervention.
Perhaps we should stick to one area of this topic: Modern celebrities. Many, many celebrity signatures look like awful scribbles. I think this might be the most applicable are for the "you have to see it signed yourself." I like Al Pacino and many of his films. Certainly a great actor and an American legend. I have no interest in his autograph at any price. Too messy, too simplistic . . . too difficult to authenticate based on the signature alone. That is an instance where I wouldn't want that autograph unless I got it myself.
Well, enough of me rambling on. How do you feel this statement applies, and how does it affect the sale and value of autographs?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jerome Turner on
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I agree with the statement that the only way to tell if an autograph is real is to see it signed yourself or if it is accompanied by exact proof where you can see the signature in the proof. There are expert forgers out there who can forge very well and fool even the most expert of authenticators and professionals. An autograph is nothing more than ink on an item. You cant see who actually signed it without seeing it yourself. Just because it looks real and has all the characteristics of an authentic one doesn't mean it is. It could just be done by an expert forger. On the flip side just because it doesn't look real or has characteristics that are off, doesn't mean it isn't real either. It could just have been done in a rush, by a pissed off celeb, in a crowd, etc. I've obtained several signatures from people that look completely fake, but are 100% real. In terms of an autographs worth, there will always be people out there buying autographs, both fake and real. People buy fake autographs all the time thinking they're real. As long as you have people out there willing to pay for something there will always be some sort of worth attached to it. Therefore autographs will never be worthless. However I will never buy an autograph from a dealer so in my eyes, you can probably say they are worthless, from a buying perspective. However from a selling perspective my collection is not worthless as I would want top dollar for every item in it as I know all are 100% real as I got them all myself. Bottom line, if you know an autograph is 100% real its worth something, but the only way to know that is to see it signed yourself.
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Permalink Reply by geraldzheng on
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yes I am agree with you.you are right.signed by yourself,that is perfect.this is the best way to get 100% real auto from star.because expert is human,human often make mistakes in life.we are not sure expert is 100% correct for everything.thanks for sharing idea.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on
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That's mostly the forgers argument " nobody can disprove it, they weren't there" however, there is a science to it . And probably accurate 90% of the time. If doubt,stay away! Slant, pen pressure ,speed ,looking at other examples and getting so familiar "gis" general,inpression and shape . I also back off from all the scribblers, If I can forge them anybody can. though I did buy my in person psa pacino. My days of chasing people for sigs is over,far too many obnoxious,greedy,pushy,rude,ebay, fellow "collectors". Too embarrassing to be a part of it.
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