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 Ryan Wolfson 13 hours ago

It’s not like you’re working as an authenticator. Your opinion is noted, but it’s not determinative. I’ve always believed the piece is genuine. The JSA experience at the show was a hassle and ultimately turned into a fiasco, and they never even had the physical 78 in hand to properly review. This is also the same company that has declined to authenticate items that were literally witnessed in person.

At this point, it feels like you and Eric have just picked the signature apart because it doesn’t match your narrow expectation of how it “should” look. There are well-documented variations in her signature, which you’re choosing to overlook. I only contacted the seller because he guaranteed it would pass any TPA—and it didn’t. That’s frustrating, but it doesn’t mean the autograph isn’t real. I never tried returning it. Where did that come from?

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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva 10 hours ago

Ryan, I can understand why you feel that your autograph has been rather too closely analysed by Eric and me and you are right that neither of us are professional authenticators, in any shape or form. That said, we are very used to comparing autographs to certified or "believed genuine" exemplars and I don't think authenticators do anything very different (but see my question to Steve). Hopefully professional authenticators would have more experience and tools to do this comparison work but I daresay we "amateurs" have more time, and probably more enthusiasm.

I don't think Eric and I have been comparing your autograph to any particular exemplars from any particular time period. In my own case, I am much more concerned about the overall flow of the autograph, as was at least one of the other contributors apart from Eric. The fact that the seller had sold it so cheaply, that JSA had rejected it and that the seller had not responded to your communications did not inspire confidence either.

Looking back at your posts I can see that you didn't specifically mention returning the item but I cannot see what else you would have wanted from the seller had he responded, particularly as you tried to reverse your payment.

As I said before, opinions differ and that's fine. With Roger's LOA I'm sure you could make a tidy profit on it should you ever want to sell, regardless of what I, JSA or anyone else thinks.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Wolfson 2 hours ago

Before he authenticated it, I walked him through all the concerns that had been raised, and he told me not to send him amateur opinions—that was Roger, not me. I’m confident he has more experience than anyone at JSA who reviewed it, especially Billie.

I reached out to the seller to reverse the payment solely because it didn’t pass JSA, and he guaranteed it would pass any TPA. At a certain point, you have to reevaluate, take a closer look, and recognize this as an authentic signature on an atypical surface. Do you always sign your name exactly the same way?