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Bob Dylan AUTOPEN Info To Help With Returns / Refunds - Simon & Schuster, Premiere, and Coles

***URGENT UPDATE

Three Articles Published by Chris Willman at Variety
 
 
 
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
A message posted by Bob Dylan to his Facebook account
 
To my fans and followers,
 
I’ve been made aware that there’s some controversy about signatures on some of my recent artwork prints and on a limited-edition of Philosophy Of Modern Song. I’ve hand-signed each and every art print over the years, and there’s never been a problem.
However, in 2019 I had a bad case of vertigo and it continued into the pandemic years. It takes a crew of five working in close quarters with me to help enable these signing sessions, and we could not find a safe and workable way to complete what I needed to do while the virus was raging. So, during the pandemic, it was impossible to sign anything and the vertigo didn’t help. With contractual deadlines looming, the idea of using an auto-pen was suggested to me, along with the assurance that this kind of thing is done ‘all the time’ in the art and literary worlds.
Using a machine was an error in judgment and I want to rectify it immediately. I’m working with Simon & Schuster and my gallery partners to do just that.
 
With my deepest regrets,
Bob Dylan

 

Previous update 
Some users have uncovered potential autopen use within Bob Dylan's expensive art prints. Please check your prints if you own one and post a picture on this thread if you have any concerns.

here is a link to one of his art prints in question

https://www.castlefineart.com/art/bob-dylan/cactus

*UPDATE -  Let this be a warning to ALL publishers and celebrities in the future. We are sick and tired of these autopen releases. Our community has had enough and absolutely will not stand for this practice to continue any longer!!! 

I want to point out that Coles Books needs to be commended. They made sure to look out for their customers and refused to ship these out if they came from the same S&S stock, which they did. It was also an easy process to cancel orders beforehand if you wished. Coles. on behalf of everyone, I want to thank you for having integrity and watching out for all of us.

I can NOT say the same about Premiere Collectibles. They refused to honor cancelation requests until it was known these books were in fact autopenned. They advertise themselves claiming they are collectors themselves. This is not true. They are a retailer first and only care about your money. There have been other autopen incidents where they absolutely refused to accept blame, stating items were real when they were clearly deemed autopen by the community. Be careful with future purchases with Premiere Collectibles.

This email came directly from Jonathan Karp at Simon and Schuster. If anyone still wishes to send him a message, here is his email address as well.

jonathan.karp@simonandschuster.com

We apologize for the mistake that was made and are offering a full refund of your purchase.  Please keep your copy of The Philosophy of Modern Song at no cost. We hope you will enjoy reading it.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Karp

Here are 51 articles and counting detailing our combined efforts on this forum

New York Post - Screenshot.jpg

New York Times - Screenshot.jpg

Los Angeles Times - Screenshot.jpg

Washington Post - Screenshot.jpg

Rolling Stone - Screenshot.jpg

Rolling Stone pt2 - Screenshot.jpg

Billboard - Screenshot.jpg

Billboard pt2 - Screenshot.jpg

Variety - Screenshot.jpg

Variety pt2 - Screenshot.jpg

Variety pt3 - Screenshot.jpg

USA Today - Screenshot.jpg

The Daily Beast - Screenshot.jpg

People - Screenshot.jpg

Daily Mail - Screenshot.jpg

Ultimate Classic Rock - Screenshot.jpg

Yahoo - Screenshot.jpg

Inside Hook - Screenshot.jpg

Poetic Justice - Screenshot.jpg

Exclaim - Screenshot.jpg

The Music Universe - Screenshot.jpg

Literary Hub - Screenshot.jpg

Stereogum - Screenshot.jpg

Esquire - Screenshot.jpg

Boing Boing - Screenshot.jpg

NME pt1 - Screenshot.jpg

NME pt2 - Screenshot.jpg

I Heart Radio - Screenshot.jpg

Publishers Lunch - Subscription required

Spiegel - Translated Screenshot.jpg

Boston 25 - Screenshot.jpg

Spin - Screenshot.jpg

Uproxx - Screenshot.jpg

Newser - Screenshot.jpg

Vigour Times - Screenshot.jpg

Pitchfork - Screenshot.jpg

UPI pt1 - Screenshot.jpg

UPI pt2 - Screenshot.jpg

Daily Caller - Screenshot.jpg

Far Out Magazine - Screenshot.jpg

Gulf News - Screenshot.jpg

Breitbart - Screenshot.jpg

American Songwriter - Screenshot.jpg

American Top 40 - Screenshot.jpg

We Got This Covered - Screenshot.jpg

Healthcare Buisness - Screenshot.jpg

Music News - Screenshot.jpg

Music Times - Screenshot.jpg

Happy Mag - Screenshot.jpg

Sydney Morning Herald - Screenshot.jpg

The Guardian - Screenshot.jpg

--------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL POST

I am creating this thread as a comprehensive all in 1 link for returns, refunds, chargebacks and claims made regarding the "signed" edition of Bob Dylan - The Philosophy Of Modern Song. Please use this link to email Simon & Schuster, Coles, and Premiere Collectables as 100% proof these were signed using an autopen machine. 

I would like to say right off the bat, Coles Books in the UK is handling this professionally and seem to care deeply about their customer base. They have stated that, once they are in hand, If they find evidence of them being autopenned, they will cancel all orders.. Kudos to Coles.. I wish all retailers would follow their lead. If you wish to cancel your order with them immediately instead of waiting, It seems to be an easy process.

This post will be continuously updated with new information over the next few days

Please refer to this article for the time being until more information is added

https://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1290-cjbk/news/collectors-quest...

Here is the post I created a few weeks ago with info regarding the Indigo incident.

https://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/indigo-bob-dylan-po...

So far, there have been a total of 17 confirmed different templates for the autopen machine used for Bob Dylans signature. I am in the process of creating video comparisons for all 17 sets. Please post full page photos of your item as they are delivered to aid in this process 

Here are all 17 templates used by Bob Dylan - I am still looking for full page photos for numbers 8,13 and 15 thru 17 but its still best to post whatever you receive

Be aware when checking against your own copy, it has come to light that they are possibly using 1st and last names interchangeably. Bob in #2 matches perfectly with Bob in #13 while Dylan in both are different

14th variation confirmed

15th variation

16th variation - Seems to be almost an exact combination of #11 and #13 with a different vertical line in his "D" 

17th variation

Video and photo comparisons created so far

Video of set 1 Dylan1.mp4  - Photo of set 1 Dylan1.JPG

Video of set 2 Dylan2.mp4  - Photo of set 2 Dylan2.JPG

Video of set 3 Dylan3.mp4  - Photo of set 3 Dylan3.JPG

Video of set 4 Dylan4.mp4  - Photo of set 4 Dylan4.JPG

Video of set 5 Dylan5.mp4  - Photo of set 5 Dylan5.JPG

Video of set 6 Dylan6.mp4  - Photo of set 6 Dylan6.JPG

Video of set 7 Dylan7.mp4  - Photo of set 7 Dylan7.JPG

Video of set 9 Dylan9.mp4  - Photo of set 9 Dylan9.JPG

Video of set 10 Dylan10.mp4 - Photo of set 10 Dylan10.JPG

Video of set 11 Dylan11.mp4 - Photo of set 11 Dylan11.JPG

Video of set 12 Dylan12.mp4 - Photo of set 12 Dylan12.JPG

Video of set 14 Dylan14.mp4 - Photo of set 14 Dylan14.JPG

Here are the COAs stating these books were in fact hand-signed

Suzanne Baboneau for UK - Certificate Of Authenticity UK.jpg

Jonathan Karp for USA - Certificate Of Authenticity USA.JPG

Coles listing before it was removed - Coles Website Listing.jpg

Important emails:

Jonathan Karp US - CEO of Simon & Schuster
jonathan.karp@simonandschuster.com

Duane Ward of Premiere Collectables
duane@premierespeakers.com  - Others have tried duane@premierecollectables.com

Suzanne Baboneau, Managing Director
suzanne.baboneau@simonandschuster.co.uk

Ian Chapman, UK - CEO
ian.chapman@simonandschuster.co.uk

Bob Dylan's Manager

Jeff Kramer
OK Management
275 South Beverly Drive
Suite 215
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: 310-535-1647


Bob Dylan's Agent

Brian Greenbaum
Creative Artists Agency
2000 Avenue Of The Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 424-288-2000


Bob Dylan's Production Agent

Sony/Columbia/CBS Records
550 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-833-7305


Bob Dylan's Law Firm

Manatt Phelps & Phillips
11355 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: 310-312-4000

Bob Dylan's Twitter

Tweet or privatly message Bob on his verified Twitter account.
https://twitter.com/bobdylan/

Bob Dylan's Facebook

Post or message Bob on his verified Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/bobdylan/

I also found this email associated with Bob Dylans store. Its worth a try

BOBDYLAN@EPICRIGHTS.COM

Media Publications who may be eager to pick up this story - Please email them a link to this post and all related content

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/corp/contactus.html

For story pitches, please send:
News to Jim Milliot and John Maher
Soapbox ideas to Rachel Deahl
Features to features@publishersweekly.com

Related content:

Dolly Parton is also guilty of using multiple autopens in the same fashion with multiple templates over the years but with a slight twist where they manipulate the page as the autopen machine writes her signature. If we are looking to stop all future attempts at autopen usage, she needs to be held accountable just as much as Bob Dylan and S&S. Link to threads below

Here is a great example provided by Eric Keith Longo

Dolly Parton Autopen Example.jpg

http://www.feelnumb.com/2022/03/09/dolly-parton-fake-autograph-song...

https://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/dolly-parton-signed...

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Replies to This Discussion

Pretty poor that Castle don’t seem to be handling this very well with you, especially as you look to be a loyal and valued customer and I always think it demostrases how good a business really is when things go wrong. So far although we have a difference of opinion they have at least contacted me directly by phone, responded with updates via e-mail etc which is the minimum you would expect so hopefully you get a similar personal response soon! 

As far as I’m concerned it’s clear that unless irrefutable evidence is provided then the authenticity verification process implemented by Castle Galleries has not been fit for purpose and the authenticity of the “hand-signed” signatures on the Mondo Scripto prints cannot be proven or guaranteed!

Michelle.  You have mis read the internet.  Mark Cass is not connected to this so for goodness sake do not respond to him. Ian Weatherby - Blythe is group MD of Washington Green and castle Fine Art.  

my mistake, deleted my response on here

Test

hi Jane, got it. I moved this discussion to the Dylan forum Monday but all the links and notifications should be intact. We do this often.

I received the same response regarding my Mondo prints.  The only way I will be happy is if Dylan hand signs a COA stating the Mondo Prints are in fact in his hand.  I serious doubt that would happen, but to have a "real" live signature to go along with the mondo prints will certainly help.  

Mark

Time to force the issue. File a lawsuit. Dylan has admitted fault. Will he fight a lawsuit? I think he will settle to keep his reputation and to keep it out of the press.

Response specifically to MattM / Jason H / Eugene and anyone else.  You asked a question about dating a photo. It would be interesting to date the photograph of Bob included on Page 2 of the Mondo Scripto brochure.  Unfortunately there is nothing in that photo which helps. I have looked through the Mondo catalogue and there is no acknowledgment of who took the photo unlike other photos which have been included in the same catalogue. I was lucky enough to have been invited to see the original Mondo Scriptos in December 2018 in London. The same exhibition included several other original works including Early Morning Golden Gate Bridge.  I thought this was a great picture. I was told it may be released as a limited addition but there was no commitment It came out in limited edition format in May 2019 and I purchased one   This is the first print in my collection where the signature looks different from previous ones.   Bob has said he had vertigo in 2019 and used the autopen then and  throughout the pandemic years when he wanted to avoid contact with others . This is presumably why Castle have said that no one from Castle witnessed the signings.  Bob says he was worried that he could not meet his contractual obligations and was assured this was an acceptable alternative in the art and literary world.  Who gave him that assurance  and who else was aware ?  Where was the auto pen used?  Did Bob actually need the prints with him to use auto pen or could auto pen be set up and used elsewhere?  Let’s look at what Bob was doing in 2019. First go back to 2018 . He finished his European/ Far East/ Australia / New Zealand tours finishing in the USA 3rd December 2018.  Touring did not start again until 31/3/ 2019. Is the gap between the end of December 2018 and 31st March 2019 when he had vertigo? He toured on and off from 31st  March to the 8/12/2019  approximately 3 tours lasting somewhere between 6. -8 weeks each time - 77 concerts in total. Very good for an elderly chap.  He was on good form - I saw him in the U.K. and on his European leg.  Clearly vertigo did not stop him touring and 2019 was a very busy year for him.   There was no touring in 2020 - in the U.K we were locked down from March 2020 due to covid restrictions.  Bob did not tour again until  the end of the following year starting in November 2021. 
Bob has made his statement saying he used autopen in 2019 and throughout the pandemic years and given his reasons. He needs to answer the question - who told him it was acceptable to do this and who else within his various contractual relationships was made aware.  Castle need to answer the previous list of questions and provide the relevant proof.   There has been some suggestions on here about taking legal action against Bob.  None of us have  a contract with Bob.  The Purchasers contract  is with the seller of the art .  If they choose to subrogate against Bob then that is nothing to do with us. They could easily stop all this speculation by being more transparent with their customers in a timely manner and provide evidence to support their statement or admit that the problem is bigger than they originally thought and widen the re dress exercise. 

He recorded an album and recorded a concert show in 2020. Rough and rowdy ways in January and February of 2020 and shadow kingdom was during said pandemic when he didn’t want to be in close quarters with those 5 people. Instead he was in close quarters with many people. 

Nichole - that’s good information.  I was wondering if it was possible to record remotely and send it on to someone who adds the backing on . A recent album by Elvis Costello was recorded on this basis. The opportunities are endless. Perhaps it’s not dissimilar to having the ability to set the auto pen up and sending it to where ever the prints are. ? 

 

What if the "real" signed COA comes and it's the same questionable handwriting as the prints lol. I'd assume that's what would happen. They'd have to video the signing, which I doubt Bob will ever let happen. 

PF Collector - can we please deal with facts  and not what if or but . 

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