Authenticity is Everything

Billie Holiday Autograph

I purchased this 78 vinyl record purportedly signed by Billie Holiday from an RACC trusted seller. I recently submitted the item to JSA for authentication, and unfortunately it did not pass.

I originally submitted it in person at a show here in CA a few weeks ago, and I was disappointed by how carelessly the item was handled during intake. When I received it back, there were fingerprints all over it. I contacted JSA immediately to report the condition, and they did expedite the review process.

Yesterday I received their letter confirming that the autograph did not pass authentication. I’m extremely disappointed and unsure what my next step should be, or if anyone here might be able to offer advice.

Prior to purchasing the item, I did my research and examined the signature characteristics—such as the looping of “Billie” and the shape of the “H” in “Holiday.” However, upon further inspection, the signature appears to have been written in ballpoint pen. Additionally, the Blue Ace label is known to be a bootleg label, and this particular pressing seems to have been released slightly before the time of her passing.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo 4 hours ago

Obviously, I hope it is but it would take a lot more to convince me than a few scans. I am skeptical when it comes to names like this. The demand far outweighs the supply...

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Wolfson 4 hours ago

I’m trying to reach Roger Epperson — he would know

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo 3 hours ago

I saw this at RR - from the ink color, period, size and dedication, this might well be a Francis and Violet Zane item.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Wolfson 3 hours ago

She had different variations.

I would like a professional opinion on the autograph, but I obviously don’t want to waste my time submitting it to PSA or Beckett after JSA’s opinion. I agree with the red flags you mentioned; however, the lettering appears identical to other examples of her signature.

Yes, Blue Ace was a bootleg label, but it was apparently signed at the Continental Room in Hawaii. A setlist from that same show reportedly sold at auction for $10,000. That said, the ink on my piece doesn’t appear vintage either, which gives me pause. I’m just not sure what to make of it at this point.