Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mikex on December 17, 2020 at 1:39am

They have little value to an experienced collector, but essential for casual collectors. There is no way you can form an opinion on every celebrity Autograph within a few minutes. It's impossible. The exception is Roger Epperson who is a specialist.

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Permalink Reply by Mikex on December 17, 2020 at 2:45am

Or to put it another way. I select three Sean Connery autographs with a different look to each one. You have a few minutes to tell me if they are likely or unlikely. If you say likely, you better be certain as i might be paying a few hundred dollars. If you say unlikely, you can't be wrong because it's only an opinion and no money was lost. If you say likely and when it is submitted for a full authentication, it fails you have a customer service problem to put it lightly. So, as i said previously, this service is useful to casual buyers and of little value to experienced collectors. 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 17, 2020 at 6:43am

...If you say likely, you better be certain as i might be paying a few hundred dollars...."

From a Quick Opinion? That would be a big mistake in my book. 

Exhaustive self education in best IMO. I spent years just with Jackie Gleason to the point I can now name his secretaries. There is an approx 50 page thread here detailing my research into this one signer.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 17, 2020 at 4:50am

Sorry to say but this Connery does look atypical. What makes you so convinced it's authentic?

I understand your frustration. I've actually had an autograph pass a quick opinion by Beckett and then fail their full authentication. When it comes to quick opinions it depends on who is looking at it.

This time I agree with their assessment.

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Permalink Reply by Mikex on December 17, 2020 at 4:58am

Thanks Joe. That's my point. I've been collecting for thirty five years and i study an autograph for hours on end. Have a good look at Sean Connery autographs and explain what is typical. If you want examples of atypical look no further that PSA and Beckett slabbed.  

I've looked at a SC 1981 contact and it had similar characteristics and ive had a look at other known authentic ones and it's good imo. It was purchased from AFTAL dealer. It was part of a collection and was signed on a postcard. I purchased a peter sellers dedicated autograph at the same time from the same collection. It was signed on a similar postcard. The postcards smelled musty, so they weren't new. The peter sellers was deducted and easier to authenticate. Inexperienced collectors don't like atypical, and i understand that. Authentication is a bit more involved that having a quick look. How long did you look at it to come to your descicion. Did you compare it to other known examples from the early '80's. Have you had many sean connery autographs yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 17, 2020 at 5:05am

Of all the TPA services, in my opinion, Beckett is the worst at quick opinions. I no longer even use them for a QO. With that said, what makes you so convinced this Connery is authentic? There are a couple of great Connery collectors here on this site that know Connery well. Hopefully, they will chime in.

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Permalink Reply by Mikex on December 17, 2020 at 5:17am

See my last statement.

Atypical and not genuine aren't the same thing. I trust my judgement. I help a few auction houses in the UK. 

Thanks anyway. I know your heart is in the right place Joe. You sound like a decent person.

Have a great Christmas

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 17, 2020 at 5:21am

Merry Christmas to you as well. Stay safe.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 17, 2020 at 6:50am

..."Sent this in for a quick opinion. Came back "unlikely" 

Suppose you get what you pay for. The Walmart of autograph authentication..."

As you say, QO' and authentications are two very different things. That is why when the BST was open here you could not sell on the strength of anyone's QO.

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Permalink Reply by Mikex on December 17, 2020 at 7:14am

Here is a slabbed Beckett's that looks atypical to say the least. If i cropped it and sent it to the QO service, i bet they would say unlikely. I agree with Eric. Do your own research or flick a coin.

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Permalink Reply by Owen Smith on December 17, 2020 at 8:51am

ACOA stated the same. Not Likely authentic. I agree now because I was on the fence with this at first. 

The seller does have some genuine vintage higher-end autographs, but is not affiliated to any autograph organisation.

As for Beckett, I've paid them for a quick opinion on another item and they didn't even respond. They have ignored all my query emails and I have had to place a complaint to get my money back. They still haven't responded to PayPal either. 

My first experience with Becketts is a bad one. I wont be using them again. 

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Permalink Reply by rob kunne on December 17, 2020 at 9:52am

one autograph - many opinions ''and who is right?'' who do you trust?  a real bad fake is easy to see but a good forgery isn't. at first you have to get a authentic autograph from the person in question and from different periods and every experienced collector can do his own opinion. i did send beckett a jack nicholson for a quick opinion and it failed but as you know jack signs different all the time and it's saver for beckett to give a negative opinion. at this time i only collect (buying) in person autographs from people who i trust and i order from private signings from companys with a good name and all the proof you can get. 

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