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Authenticity is Everything
Elvis eBay Autograph From Our Member Steve Viola ???
There is a listing currently on eBay featuring an Elvis autograph that the seller says he acquired years ago from current Autograph Live member Steve Viola. I had a good look at the item and I'd like others to take a moment and do likewise.
The eBay heading is as follows...Elvis Presley Signed Autographed 11 x 14 Display..... As of this posting there are 4 days left to bid. Asking price is 25 hundred dollars.
If any of my fellow members want to post the link as a favor to me that would be appreciated !! I'm looking for your thoughts and your feedback on that item.
My thanks...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve Viola on
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When I bought it and sold it , yes 100% I thought it was real. Looking at it today, I really cant say. Is Joe Long still around & active?
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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on
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I don't know if Joe Long is still active today but he was 10 years or so ago.
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Permalink Reply by Don Webster on
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So Steve it is safe to say you've gone from 100% real when buying and selling to "really can't say" today.
Would other members opinions be of any interest to you ?
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I'm going to take it upon myself and contact this seller to discuss his autograph with him. I think it's pretty straight forward that this is not an Elvis Presley autograph. I was hoping to get Steve Viola to step forward and join me and help to make this situation right by getting this thing off the market, but looks like I'm being a bit too optimistic on that front. I must be dreaming in technicolour.
So it's off to cold cold Winnipeg Manitoba. I'll bundle up and report back to you. I don't expect this seller to happy to talk with me but somebody has to do it don't you think ?? I really don't see any other way.
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I'm sure you can heat things up by contacting that seller.
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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on
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There are several assumptions made here that concern me. 1986 was a long time ago. I do not know anyone directly nor have done business with any of those involved and have no ax to grind. Maybe this autograph has changed hands any number to times since Mr. Viola has sold it and this COA has went along with it. Perhaps Mr. Viola doesn't even know who this current seller is. Just because a COA has the buyer's name and address on it does not make him liable for it's authenticity. That seems to fall back onto the shoulders of Joe Long.
So much better information is available today than back in 1986 and probably just as much misinformation. It's a complex world we live in. In my opinion, Mr. Voila, unless he sold this directly to this seller, has no obligation to get involved unless he sold it to this seller with his personal guarantee as well.
The discussion should be about the autograph itself and Joe Long. Mr. Viola is a victim here unless it becomes a known fact that he found out it was fake and sold it as real after the discovery. Honest people make unintentional mistakes. Who hasn't?
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As I have told Steve on Facebook, I believed in Joe Long at the time, & sold it in good faith and believed in his org and his COA. His catalog stated he consigned for major auction houses. I even had this piece custom framed when I got it. The reason I sold it was I was looking for an Elvis item on something a little more meaningful like on a pic sleeve, photo, etc. When I did acquire that, I sold this. I cant remember who or when. It was a long time ago. Yes we all live & learn, and from the knowledge I gained over the years since, I can see the concerns here. The obligation should fall on Long, if he can be tracked down. Not sure any good will come of it. I do feel like a victim as well.
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And even Mr. Long would only be liable for $150 unless a court of law adds interest or damages to that amount.
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To both Joe W. and Steve Viola I thank you both for responding. THAT'S what I was hoping for...some feedback on a situation that needs attention. I must admit I was concerned that this thread would slide into oblivion with little or no feedback or response. I'm truly glad that's not the case.
No one on this thread, including me, has accused Steve Viola of doing anything wrong. And Joe W. is correct when he states that there is so much more good information available these days than 30 years ago. We all know that. There's always a never ending learning curve to climb.
Now the current owner states clearly that he bought this directly from Steve Viola. I'll take his statement as being factual. Just like I'll take Steve Violas word that he believed in the authenticity of the piece when he bought and sold it. I'm a very trusting soul !!
What concerned me most was that the "room fell silent" when I asked if anyone would step forward and approach this seller with concerns about this item. It's clearly not an Elvis Presley piece. Both Joe W. and Mr. Viola have not taken issue with that statement and I don't expect they will. And I did indeed have Mr. Viola in mind when I made that statement. This is after all Autograph Live with a great reputation of doing the right thing. I'm just asking what is the "right thing" here.
It's as plain as day that this Joe Long is a unsavoury to be polite. If you google his name he's got a salty reputation and is named in more than a few court documents. And not in a good way. But let me suggest that Joe Long is probably long gone. Steve Viola is right here. Should he contact the seller and discuss his new found concerns?? Don't forget that the name Steve Viola will be forever associated with this piece. Or do we at Autograph Live allow this obviously bad item to remain in the marketplace and possibly change hands again while everyone looks away ??
Let your conscience be your guide.
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First, I am not an Elvis authenticator nor an authenticator of any kind so I will leave that for others more qualified to respond.
Indeed, if the current seller did purchase this from Mr. Viola, it is up to his good conscience to pull the item off the market or not. Then it should be up to the two parties to settle this matter between themselves.
Since you have contacted this seller with your concerns on the item's authenticity, other than contacting ebay for as little as that will do, you have done the best you can do. I applaud that.
What Mr. Viola does on this matter is up to him.
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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on
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My thoughts exactly. But that gallon of milk for $6...it seems the same size...
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