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 Ryan Wolfson
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I agree with your assessment regarding the “H.” It’s possible there wasn’t enough room to fit the last name without dropping it slightly.
The “y” also appears to share characteristics with her typical signature. There is a small gap, but that may simply reflect how it was signed in the moment. I would think that a forger would likely have tried to make sure the letters were fully connected.
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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo
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The forms and relationships between those three letters I mentioned is perhaps equally or more concerning.
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On the photo doesn’t the same situation exist … regarding the ”o” and “da”
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No. It is as I described.
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I don’t understand
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What don't you understand?
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Look at the "a" in the Zane example (purple ink candid) - and then look at the "da" - they are practically laying down to the right compared to the left leaning/vertical "o." Look at the negative spaces as well.
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Permalink Reply by Findbooks
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Good point (about the forger) although he/she may have had only the one copy of the record and therefore it would have been a case of do or die.
No question that it had to be an IP signing.
The Epperson is interesting, I am not convinced that the dedication is in her hand. She is pretty consistent with her B's.
Your example looks better without the background but the B and the Y I still have quibbles with.
A more expert eye would be helpful. Eric mentioned Eddy - I will email him and ask him to join in.
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Do you see what I am talking about re the "o" and "da" in Holiday?
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Tbh - not really. It looks quite
similar to the Epperson authenticated photo.
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I'm sorry - I was asking Findbooks, I was not clear, sorry Ryan. However, you don't see the opposing letters as described?
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Unfortunately I don’t
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