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Permalink Reply by rob kunne on December 30, 2018 at 9:54am

but it's almost impossible to find out when and where a autograph is signed with a 100% proof ''the company's i know with some or 100% proof are toppix and gtv reality and also than there are members who don't like these sellers ? but you must almost have a sixth sence to be sure you are buying a genuine autograph without any proof. 

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on December 30, 2018 at 10:02am

There are collectors like Eric, Terrier, Steve Z, myself and others here on AML who have taken the time (years) to study certain autographs.

We know what we're doing.

On the other side of the coin, is the fact that approximately 80% of the people who buy autographs simply do not have a clue about them.  

They think/assume that a piece of paper automatically confirms an autograph to be authentic.

This is why Ebay is a haven for sellers of forgeries.

For people who do not know autographs, Ebay is the most dangerous place to buy an autograph.

That is why this site (thanks to Mr. Steve Cyrkin) is so great.

A wonderful group of knowledgeable autograph collectors.

You posted this thread about GAA.

Doesn't it raise a red flag with you that if you go to the GAA website there is no mention of who the so-called "authenticators" are.

Bingo!!!

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Permalink Reply by rob kunne on December 30, 2018 at 10:26am

i think larry duwayne does al the work at gaa ''good or bad'' . 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2018 at 10:43am

But that's just not true, Rob. Below is a United States Post Office blank postcard, common in the middle of the last century. It bears the authentic signature in the appropriate color fountain pen of Jackie Gleason of the Honeymooners. Through years of study, observation and research I know what his signature is and is not, how and where he would sign whether in pencil, fountain or ballpoint, through every year from C. 1945 until his death in 1987. I know his secretaries by name and what their signatures look like and when and how they signed. The signature is underneath the cancellation mark, establishing when it was placed there with certainty. The postmark establishes with certainty when and where - NYC, January 21st, 1953. From my years of work exposing forged Titanic postcards I know what a fake, washed or altered postcard looks like. As far as companies, half the Gleason signatures at the current PSA Autographs Facts page are secretarial or just forgeries. Bear that in mind. All of this was chosen deliberately so I could make this point when faced with a question such as yours. I like it SOLID. Especially with a name like this.

So, that's who, what, when, where and even why with 99.9888% accuracy. If I had a sixth sense I'd be at the race track.

No, it is not easy. But, this is the hobby I chose. If I don't do it, and I really enjoy it (it's my hobby), I'd just be paying someone else for an opinion that may well be wrong and buying a list of names.

I will bet my life this is authentic.

Click for full image:

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on December 30, 2018 at 10:57am

Well written, Eric..

One of the best on AML!!!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2018 at 11:26am

My goodness, thank you Christopher. Coming from you, who I respect tremendously, that means a great lot to me. This is a wonderful and richly textured hobby that I am happy and proud to share with you. I and happy to share whatever else I can, whatever I have learned, whenever I can, with all our members. Each one of us brings something unique to bear in this group, a skill or vantage etc., and that is wonderful.

Permalink Reply by carl cripps on January 2, 2019 at 4:55am

Eric......as always you come through in a big way for me and i am sure for others...what you said in this post is most inspiring and should serve as THE most fundamental root of this hobby.   i thank you for always being there to guide.......carl.....

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2018 at 9:46am

The "best feeling" to be had here is KNOWING, yourself, from research and self education. This takes time.  

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 30, 2018 at 11:08am

Rob,

Autograph Live members are very passionate about people learning how to buy autographs safer before they make their first purchase. That's because the more fake autographs that people buy, the more the forgery industry is encouraged to forge and sell forgeries.

Most people don't come to our site and others where they can learn about autographs until they realize they may have been scammed. You came here BEFORE you bought something authenticated by GAA; so not only are you helping protect yourself, you're helping protect others who search for information about GAA before they buy...or within the six month buyer protection period expires that PayPal and many credit cards have.

You're getting solid advice here. The more you participate in our community the more you'll learn about how to buy autographs without getting burned. Before you buy more autographs, I encourage you to become a regular here; reading current and past discussions and asking questions. You'll enjoy autographs more, you'll help others, and you'll help protect other autograph collectors.

About GAA and the Michael J. Fox autograph you posted:

1. Most forgeries are blatant to those who learn even the basics about how to detect forgeries. Within a month or so, you'll learn how to detect most forgeries. The Fox you posted is an easy to detect forgery. It has some vaguely similar characteristics of some of his autographs, but it was unquestionably not signed by him in my opinion.
2. You can depend that a dealer selling numerous autographs at far below market value is in the business of selling forgeries. Yes, you can find the OCCASIONAL bargain genuine autograph from someone not experienced, but rarely from a dealers and virtually NEVER with many different "bargains." People buy Harrison Fords for $50-$200 all the time and are shocked when they find they're forgeries. But why would a dealer sell one at that when a real one without serious problems sells for $350-$1,000+?
3. GAA: I've never seen an autograph offered for sale that I thought was real that was certified by them. Now that I say that, a few may purposely appear to try to prove me wrong, but it's a company that came out of the blue that is not used by ANY respected autograph dealer or auction house. From all signs that I see it's another bogus authentication service in the business of certifying forgeries as genuine.

Rob, I'll give you the advice that we give everyone: Learn about autographs before you buy, or before you buy more. Have the ones you already own checked out. You can find out here, for no cost, if autographs you own are likely real or not.

Then, once your knowledge and experience grow here, go out and look for what you want. Bring it here for opinions first, and you'll rarely end up with a forgery...if ever again.

Make sure you use regular PayPal, not Friends and Family, to pay for them. You get six month buyer protection, as well as protection against loss or damage in shipping.

Do what I suggest, and I promise you, you won't be sorry.

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on December 30, 2018 at 11:20am

Well written, Steve.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 30, 2018 at 12:53pm

Thanks, Chris.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2018 at 11:32am

Very well said Steve. I wanted to add something I have been thinking about for a long time - people talk about "paying tuition" (getting burned), but that is NOT necessary! Nothing stops anyone from going and finding a graph without buying it, posting it here for review, and learning from what is said. Then do it again and again. And again. Open a new folder, save every example of whatever autograph you are seeking, make notes, save threads and so on. Build a database.  Save the forgeries too so you will know them and what they look like. You can do this all without ever opening your pocket. The lessons learned will be the same. :) 

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