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Permalink Reply by DB on February 23, 2011 at 8:43am

Speaking of Mickey Mantle we have a TTA 25407 Authentic Cap that is described at

Autographed Mickey Mantle Authentic Major League Baseball Cap, Official Authentic Diamond Collection w/ T.T.A. COA  Compare at $3426

and currently at $369.00  and a bargain it is;

 

 

and a COA you can take to the "bank";

 

 

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 23, 2011 at 8:50am

However, not to be outdone by a Dimaggio/Mantle one with a Stat 12990 Authentic Stamp of Approval.

 

I am startinting to think we all missed the boat on these COAs.  We should have a business that doesn't authenticate the item but rather the COA when there is one... but for this bargain at currently $42.00 on something compared to $1899... how can that be with such a bonafide authentication that says;

 

This item has been personally authenticated by the managing partners of STAT Authentic, one of the nation's top memorabilia authentication companies. With over 75 years of combined experience, STAT's experts provide their best opinion as to the legitimacy of an item, which comes with a numbered hologram and Certificate of Authenticity with corresponding number. STAT Authentic, LLC does not buy or sell, eliminating any conflict of interest.

 

Is it me or do these COA have a lot of similarity...

 

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Mysinger on February 23, 2011 at 10:34am

Looks like they just took a few letters in the alphabet mixed them up and made several companies from whatever they pulled from the hat ( signed by Babe Ruth of course ).

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on February 23, 2011 at 10:46am

TTA is Ted Turner Authentic. It is the successor company to STAT Authentic, run by Turner, who was an owner of STAT. The quality of the authentication is the same: the vast majority of the autographs they authenticate are ones we think are forgeries.

You can't take STAT's or TTA's opinion to the bank.

But you can take it to the cleaners.

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 23, 2011 at 11:14am

Steve, is it the cleaners or AatAuctions where you get fleeced... I keep forgetting...

 

Reminds of a story I spoke of on another blog around here.  This kid was selling his collection of "stuff" and comes out with the crown jewel of it - A Ted Williams with a Stat COA and after a brief discussion his expression went from Pride to Disbelief.  Later he would tell me it's ok that I passed on it and thanked me for the information while going onto say that a "father had contacted him about it and wanted to start an investment for his infant with Sports memoribillia".    I'm sure I'll see it again on ebay or craig's list or maybe one of these two places again.

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Permalink Reply by Hitch1010 on December 20, 2011 at 12:37am

I just did a stupid move and Googled Ted Turner.  Wow!  Jane Fonda 'n all! LOL

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 23, 2011 at 10:47am

Well there money back guarantee is good for at least 30 days so minus shipping & delivery it leaves little time

"100% Satisfaction Guarantee We offer a 30 day 100% refund guarantee. If for any reason you are unsatisfied with your Sports Memorabilia purchase, you may return it for a full merchandise refund."

 

Now on the other hand just spotted an AAU COA by a Forensic Specialist Drew Max.  It's so hard to keep uptodate on these but somehow I have heard of AAU and it wasn't for the positive.

 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on February 23, 2011 at 11:06am

AAU/Drew Max is the guy who often appears on Pawn Stars. I can't recall the last time anyone reputable that I've talked to has seen an autograph from them they thought was genuine. They're similar to Christopher Morales and Don Frangipani.

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 23, 2011 at 11:29am

ahh!  Tha's where I have heard that name before and I always thought their expert was "Chumley".  He's billed on the show as;  

Authentic Autographs Unlimited
Las Vegas, NV   Expertise: Forensic document examiner and handwriting expert, specializes in celebrities, sports, and antiquities

 

and got his start as a document runner for the casinos.  Speaking of starts, I wonder how many people rely on the opinion and then undersell it to the Pawn Stars...

 

speaking of the pawn stars did the history channel ever undo that fiasco with the album that was supposedly bought that wasn't?

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 23, 2011 at 12:27pm

Greg, as many as they can until they get it right...   Perhaps they all have the same office as Exchange and Always At;

At Auction
1200 Lakeside Parkway
Suite 450
Flower Mound, Texas 75028
US

I only wish I had something really really fake to entice the Pawn Stars as they are coming to a city nearby ("Wooster") in a big promotion and bringing Chumley. I could invent a great big story with "a little help from your friends"!

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Permalink Reply by DB on February 23, 2011 at 10:54am

Ok, Ok, I'm having too much fun with this one!  Maybe they forgot to check the Court of Operation Foul Ball, EBAY Banned COAs or a host of others... then again define expert, credentialed and court of law.

 

what is equally amusing is this information typically proceeds one specific authenticator.  Can you guess who without looking?

 

"We assure 100% authenticity of each piece sold from our auction. The photos are singular expressions and each signature is genuine and one of a kind. Examinations are performed independently with a certificate of authenticity being issued for each piece. Our authenticators have the highest level of objectivity and hold no financial interest in the certifying process, which allows them to maintain an independent opinion. We use only qualified authenticators who have been credentialed as expert document examiners. Scientific principles are used to examine each piece. Scientific principals may include but are not limited to writing instruments, ink comparisons, area measurements as well as the use of ultraviolet and infrared lighting and a stereoscopic microscope. In addition, we believe that it is important for buyers to keep in mind that there are many self-proclaimed experts that attempt to render their opinion as truth, fabricating their credentials and qualifications. It is essential to look beyond advertised qualifications and base conclusions on findings and facts. A certified forensic examiner will never change his or her mind about the authenticity of any decision made. Their decision will be supported by scientific principles and hold up in a court of law. Unlike others in this market who claim no liability to their customers, stating that opinions may change, we stand behind the authenticity of each piece and will not knowingly sell any forged items. Additionally, we also randomly select certified pieces from our collection and resubmit to a second authenticator."

 

 

and you guessed it - and that can only be topped by the write-up that follows;

 

This item was personally authenticated by Christopher Morales, President, Morales Forensic Investigations. Morales Forensic Investigations provides services in all areas of questioned documents, including handwriting and hand printing examinations, ink, paper, detection of erasures, alterations and other document examination. Mr. Morales has been a Court qualified forensic science expert since October 1995. As a Court qualified forensic science expert, Mr. Morales received the majority of his forensic science training in the U.S. Secret Service's Forensic Services Division's Questioned Document Section. He served as Special Agent/Examiner of Questioned Documents, U.S. Secret Service from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Morales has also served as Faculty Advisor and Adjunct Faculty Member for the Forensic Sciences Department at George Washington University; International Police Technical Advisor, U.S, Department of Justice, International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program. Mr. Morales holds dual degrees in Forensic Science and Security Management from George Washington University. He is a member of American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the International Association for Identification. For more information on Christopher Morales, visit www.moralesforensics.com

 

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Permalink Reply by DB on December 10, 2011 at 12:22pm

hearing a rumor on the vine that the feds raided always at auctions and one John house "ain't" too happy with our favorite forensic examiner as part of the rumor.

anyone have any intel or coroboration on this rumor?

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