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Interesting article that questions validity of authentication services like PSA and JSA

I came across this article on the Riverfront Times this morning - I found it pretty interesting. Just wanted to share the link.

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2014-03-27/news/certifiable-the-auto...

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 27, 2014 at 2:53pm

I love this gem early in the article:

"Today, few autographs are bought or sold without the blessing of either Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) or its competitor, James Spence Authentication (JSA)."

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Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on March 27, 2014 at 6:39pm

I havent read the article, but will later. But that statement is certainly very untrue, and obviously written by someone who is unfamiliar with autograph collecting. Someone who did his research on autograph collecting in general would realize that most autographs that are bought/sold arent authenticated by PSA/JSA, not even close. Now, as far as collectors buying for security purposes based on the TPA cert, then i would agree, that they lead the TPA market. But to say few autographs get sold without the approval of PSA or JSA is ridiculous. I hope this writer was just uninformed and got some bad info or cues. Its either that, or he got in with the wrong crowd.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Meyer on March 27, 2014 at 6:52pm

Wrong on that point Ryan, I agree. But looking at some of the authentications from both PSA and JSA it's about time they got called on it. Outside of most sports items which they are good at, their reliability drops huge.

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Permalink Reply by MJ Matt on March 27, 2014 at 4:07pm

I just opened a new discussion on this not realizing one was already open...

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2014-03-27/news/fake-autographs-lucrat...

Looks to basically be the same article just a different publication...

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Permalink Reply by michelle on March 27, 2014 at 5:07pm

yep its very well written as well. Is Riverfront Times an influential newspaper in USA?

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Permalink Reply by MJ Matt on March 27, 2014 at 5:53pm

Yes and no. RFT is a free publication in and around the city of St. Louis. Most of the time they are talking music, dining, sports, fashion, politics etc with an emphasis on the St. Louis area. It's popular and somewhat influential among liberal circles around St. Louis. Either way, it appears this article is making the rounds in other publications as shown in the other link. Same author.

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Permalink Reply by Mike P on March 27, 2014 at 6:58pm

Great article. TPAs definitely help the hobby sort out the obvious junk from authentic pieces, but at the end of the day it's the buyer's job to do his/her own due diligence before buying an autograph.

The two things I personally dislike the most about TPAs are the stickers (just about everything about them) and failure to admit mistakes (as the article mentions).

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on March 27, 2014 at 8:24pm

I see what he is saying. Even members on here, when you offer something for sale, ask does it come with psa or jsa?

It's weird that "collectors" ask for paperwork Only when they are buying but suddenly TPAs suck when they are selling lol

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Permalink Reply by Jason D on March 27, 2014 at 10:47pm

Very interesting article.

I certed it, No I didn't cert it. I don't recall. I forgot. I'll have to sit back and remember. What a roller coaster ride of excuses. I love this statement "Business is so good that they use garbage cans to hold the cash they collect from reviews at hobby conventions".

Poor Pete Nice, where is MC Serch when you need him? He has a new show maybe they should all go on the MC Serch show then maybe Jerry Springer.