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JSA and PSA - what has happened?

First let me say , I have always been a proponent of 3^rd party independent authentication, because I believe it curtails the forgery industry. And I still believe that.

However I have always had mixed feelings about the competency of these 3rd party authentication services. And sometimes their questionable competence is enough to drive me to Rant, on internet autograph forums… Here’s why:

1. It is a sloppy highly subjective process more than any other collecting genre.
2. After all these years, STILL No standards that the public is aware of, which 1. above is a product of.
3. Most Authenticators have no documented governing credentials.
4.There’s a “good ole boy” network of players that influence (often negatively) the autograph collecting industry. For example, the same autograph can fail from one source but Pass from a “network member” source. Just look at the examples below of PSA and JSA certified JFK signatures and note that some are a dead match to the one I sent JSA, that they could NOT authenticate. But, PSA ad JSA seem to authenticate countless cryptic very similar JFK signatures for autograph auction houses that offer high volumes of business for PSA and JSA.

A couple months ago I acquired a JFK Signed campaign insert (see below).   I thoroughly researched it with Hamilton’s “JFK Robot” book, JFK Presidential appointments and letters, and PSA and JSA certified IN-person style signatures of that era (1960). And found Several highly consistent matches to the one below I sent to JSA.     After about 4 weeks JSA returned mine with one of the “we can’t opin” letters and a credit of my $150 to use on future authentications.      Not sure I’ll ever have to use it as my confidence with PSA and JSA has dwindled over the years. If you cant opin after 4 weeks with my JFK how can I expect you to authenticate other signatures?

One of the reasons I option for JSA over PSA is at least they will Opt out . Whereas my experience with PSA has been if they don’t know , they’ll just fail it and cash your check.    But, that’s another story.

These repeating experiences with PSA and JSA has been the #1 reason I have gradually lost interest in autographs.     I won’t use the word ”shady” but it is a highly flawed collecting genre with no reliable resource of "experts" to consult, far more vulnerable than any other genre I have experienced. And being born with Collecting ADD, Ive collected about everything over the past 35 years..

So today after getting Another “Cannot Opin” from JSA, I am truly dispirited with autograph collecting and selling.

And dont get me started on these self proclaimed "best in the business" chest thumpers... ,.... I'd just ask, based on what data or examination credentials ??

I guess I could always send this JFK Signed item into one of the auctions houses or dealers who have closer "relationship" with JSA or PSA and get an immediate letter of authenticity.

Rant over…

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul on August 26, 2017 at 5:04pm

Kevin,it can be frustrating trying to get along in this hobby, experts and so called experts.
My problem is on the other foot. I'll have a coa for something and here comes a scumbag dealer with their agenda, trying to tell me my items fake and to my dismay discrediting the Tpa. Some of the Tpa's, are decent people trying to protect collectors, it's unfortunate if the fail something that's authentic and vice versa.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on August 26, 2017 at 5:21pm

We're moving into some dangerous territory allowing these dealers to play Tpa's.

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Permalink Reply by kevin conway on August 26, 2017 at 6:44pm

That has always been the driving force of their suspect credibility.

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Permalink Reply by Mr. Steffman on August 28, 2017 at 7:28am

I'm excited to earn your respect, Paul. Working hard in non-stop preparation over here.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Salvati on August 28, 2017 at 10:31am

Kevin, I agree with you 100%. I started in this hobby in 1988 and for the first 15 years or so I truly enjoyed every minute of it. Since then, I've grown increasing dismayed with everything about it. If I could have forseen back in 1988 how this hobby would change over the years I never would have started with it and would have choose a stress free hobby like fly fishing or bird watching...

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Permalink Reply by Mr. Steffman on August 28, 2017 at 12:15pm

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Permalink Reply by Paul on August 28, 2017 at 1:55pm

I can see many of the experienced collectors pulling the pin on the hobby, it really can be far to difficult to get along in the industry.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Salvati on August 28, 2017 at 5:23pm

Oh yes, I pulled the pin as you say about two years ago. I started trying to sell off many of my signed music items of my 30 year collection and keeping about 20%. The only people that must still enjoy this hobby are PSA, JSA, Beckett, R&R, etc. and the Ebay dealers in their 'pockets'. They are all making huge amounts of money. The rest of us suffer with the BS.

You know the hobby is damaged beyond repair when buyers expect a TPA cert for someone like Eddie Money or Scott Baio. Really? Who the hell is forging these guys? No one is.

I really miss the way the hobby was before the internet, before ebay, before TPA, and when I used to get a semi monthly catalog in the mail from Roger Epperson. That was when the hobby was enjoyable.

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Permalink Reply by marc e on August 28, 2017 at 5:51pm

i also collect and deal in concert posters for 40 years and now people want them certified.

its totaly jumped the shark

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Permalink Reply by Paul on August 28, 2017 at 5:57pm

Rrauctions do a fairly decent job in my opinion.
To be a collector in this day and age, you really need to be savvy!

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Permalink Reply by kevin conway on August 28, 2017 at 7:15pm

Agree

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Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on August 28, 2017 at 5:41pm

Bird watching (birding) is a thing I have been doing almost as long as my first autograph. Try driving 6 hours wondering if that Hawk Owl will still be there!