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.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo
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Is this another pen lift/hesitation?
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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin
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Eric, find the ones she signed to fit on record labels and let's compare them.
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As you said, you have not seen one yet.
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Wolfson
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She never signed a record. Could this be the first?
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Only one I found was this record sleeve that Jeff Gold at Record Mecca sold. But she probably signed more than that one label over the years.
https://recordmecca.com/item-archives/billie-holiday-spectacularly-signed-strange-fruit-78/
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Yes, and that is not nearly a perfect signature
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Yes, I saw that too. It's over 6 inches across. It also shows the opposing "o" and "da." I thought you meant a signed record, not the sleeve. I might have seen another while looking - not sure.
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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva
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That has to be the loosest and most "loopy" example I remember seeing. Actually a very useful one for analysis of pen movements. I know Ryan posted the "Billie" part before.
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Eric, when you authenticate autographs, it's critical to authenticate the entire autograph. Not just concentrate on the parts that you want to.
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I agree. It is not a matter of want - it is what stands out to me - it is just one feature, that is true.
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If you're not making your point in the context of the entire autograph, you're doing a disservice.
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It appears there are two potential ink tracks, both look a bit unnatural and wobbly. I did not keep track of how often the width of the "o" is markedly thinner.
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