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PSA/DNA Certification

All,

How do we feel about PSA/DNA authentication of autographs - sports and non-sports?  At least in the sports world, they seem to be the standard, with the certification making all good, but you guys are the experts.

If PSA is not the way to go, who would you recommend?

Thanks
DT
Allen, TX

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hauser on October 26, 2010 at 6:59pm
They should stick to sports. I've dealt with them on other types, ie historic, celebrated, and they fall short. I doubt if there will ever be a perfect service because it is still ultimately based on someone or some group's opinion. And that is often far too subjective, regardless of their qualifications and the signature specimen exemplars they employ. I cringe when someone says they are an autograph "expert." I mostly trust my own judgment by comparing the autograph to known examples and take my own chances... for free!
Permalink Reply by john reznikoff on October 27, 2010 at 5:17am
Jeff,
I would be curious where they have fallen apart on historic, or at least historic that I have looked at ( $500 or up generally). They have a great database of exemplars and think they do a pretty good job even though there is not that much demand in this area. I am more interested in seeing how they could improve than challenging what you say. Thanks
Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Hauser on October 27, 2010 at 11:11am
About a year ago they rejected a Paul McCartney autographed "High in the Clouds" book that was signed during an official book signing where he actually signed 2 items for a buyer. One they deemed good, the other not. They weren't told the provenance of the items and the signatures appear identical in every way, but they gave no explanation as to their findings. We even have photos taken during the signing session. Any thoughts?
Permalink Reply by john reznikoff on October 27, 2010 at 3:58pm
Jeff, I think that should be brought to the attention of PSA most certainly. But you also mention historical. Can you give me examples of where there are shortcomings here? Again, just so they can improve. You said they fall short on historic ... I just want to make sure that we try to do the best we can.
Permalink Reply by Bill Panagopulos on October 28, 2010 at 8:35pm
John - You are, in my eyes, the only legitimate historical authenticator on the payroll at PSA. The balance, with the exception of our friends Messrs. Camner, Epperson, and Kramer (if they are on the PSA dole - hard to tell!) and maybe one or two others I've neglected are sports and entertainment people.

As I've opined in the past - they should either stick to what they know or get out of the way.
Permalink Reply by DT on October 29, 2010 at 2:57pm
Thanks for the advice guys. The main reason I thought I would throw this out there is, William Shatner was at one of those comicon deals here in north Dallas. My son brought a baseball up for him to sign. Being likely that he doesn't sign that many, it doesn't really look like his standard sig. Since we witnessed it, it's clearly legit, but the more desirable signatures I like to have authenticated for future generations and such like. (None will ever be for sale, while I'm alive.)

Again thanks.

DT
Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 29, 2010 at 4:13pm
DT,

If the signature is really off, it may be as likely to fail now as it would 50 years in the future. If you're going to hang onto it for decades, I'd just take some good pics of you and your son with the ball and leave it at that. He's one autograph there will be plenty of in the future.
Permalink Reply by john reznikoff on October 29, 2010 at 9:16pm
Bill, thank you for the compliment...I appreciate it but cannot accept it as it seems to label some of my fellow PSAers "illegitimate" which they clearly are not. First of all, I am not "on the payroll" . My pay is protecting the hobby you and I love so much. Period. It ain't easy being an authenticator....nobody thanks you when you say something is good. Call it bad and your the devil. Step into those shoes and see if you like it. It's thankless and stressful, and my fellow PSAers, all talented and well meaning, are subject to this much more than I . I would have quit years ago if it were not for the deluge of new forgers and my sole detractor SK, the forgers protector. I won't let them prevail.

Thanks again for the nice praise but understand my hesitation to embrace it.
Permalink Reply by Chris Klamer on October 31, 2010 at 11:28am
Well I posted a blog a while back about some photos that were online authenticated by PSA and I had one identical except it had Chris Regards added above the signature but the signature was rejected by PSA as being a secretarial but the identical one was authenticated. I am sure you can find that blog on here some where.

Nevermind I will post the pictures below and like I said ignore the above part that is "Chris Regards" and just look at the signature parts from Christian Bale.

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 1, 2010 at 7:01am
These are very close, but I can see how they could be signed by different people. The C's are probably the main key.
Permalink Reply by Anthony Bautista on November 1, 2010 at 12:53pm
Did you obtain it thru the mail . Here is one I got in person at the terminator premiere.
Attachments: No photo uploads here
Permalink Reply by Bill Panagopulos on October 31, 2010 at 10:18pm
Perfect excuse for why I don't sell that stuff, Chris - look identical to me, and I doubt there's ever been a exhaustive Christian Bale study done. Hieroglyphics.

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