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 Steve Cyrkin, Admin 8 hours ago

I strongly believe that Ryan's Billie is genuine.

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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva 8 hours ago

That's fine. I cannot see it myself but that's been clear for quite some time and these things can't be proved one way or the other, unless there is some evidence that cannot be refuted (e.g. the autograph is on something that didn't exist when the autograph is supposed to have been obtained).

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin 9 hours ago

Pug,

Post your comparisons of the 20 RR examples you are referring to.

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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva 8 hours ago

I actually looked at all of them and was being a bit cautious when I mentioned 20. There are probably nearer to 50. I'm not enough of a technical wizard to copy them all over, at least not within a realistic time frame.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin 6 hours ago

Pug, you made the comparison statement, so please post them.

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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva 3 hours ago

Steve, I didn't originally intend to look at the "Billie" but when you asked if I'd looked at the first name I offered to make a "quick" comparison between the OP and the examples sold by RR. I did this and posted my findings.

I don't have the time at the moment to do any more than that and, as I said before, I believe there are enough inconsistencies in the surname to call the OP into question.

If you want to post examples that support your strong belief that the OP is genuine I'd be very interested to see them. I'd also be very happy to respond once I'm less busy, which will probably be in about a week.