JSA, PSA, BECKETT - Authentication Stickers On or Leave Off the Item?

I'm starting to get some items in my collection authenticated for various reasons.. The biggest being if something happens to me, its less research for my family later on.. I'm going specifically to get a Carpenters vinyl authenticated to make sure my ebay purchase has another opinion before I'm no longer covered. That sticker will go on the LOA for sure for this specific item signed in ballpoint pen. There is no question of this being a reproduction.

Over the years, I've read a lot of old threads of collectors complaining about TPAs placing their stickers on the front of an item. This has me thinking, I'm also going to take a few index cards and cds where the sticker on the LOA won't be an option and will need to be placed on the item. Im torn with what is best for some of these. Take an index card for example. When buying on eBay, if previously authenticated, id prefer the sticker to be on the item and in front. Ive been duped into buying authenticated cards in the past where the sticker was not on the item and the seller tried to pass off a high quality reproduction claiming it was the original. Sometimes depending on the pen used, it can be difficult to tell between live ink and a printing. Its almost impossible to verify when buying items online just looking at pictures. I feel the sticker, as terrible as it looks, adds another layer of security, especially as technology advances in the future. This also goes along with framing. Once an item is under glass, it can be difficult to tell if is original or reproduced. Having the sticker visible seems like it should be more widely accepted for resale purposes down the road even if the item was never intended to be resold. It will eventually switch hands regardless unless you are buried with your collection.

On the other hand, these stickers are ugly and in most cases, collectors are able to tell the difference easily. Collectors are not the only ones buying these items though.. hard-core fans with deep pockets, who have no knowledge about authenticating, tend to rely on these stickers. At some point, I bet most of our items will hit the market again within the next hundred years.. It kind of makes sense to be more accepting of these eye sores and should be placed on the front of certain items I mentioned. If a sticker is hidden on the back of an item, once framed, how would you know without taking it all apart? 

Wondering what everyone's view on this is. Im asking specifically about the certain items which can be reproduced and passed off as original. Items like glossy photos are not part of this conversation. Ive had some trouble in the past verifying heavy cardstock signed lightly with a rollerball type pen. Not impossible but can be tricky

Views: 1149

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Drew on April 14, 2025 at 10:58am

Submitted in November 2021, but if you didn't want to pay extra for the LOA, why not put it on the back.

Surely a sticker in such close proximity would harm the value of any item?

https://www.autographcoa.com/cert/SA95245/

Permalink Reply by Jason H on April 14, 2025 at 12:23pm

My only thinking, and why I was considering it on a few items, is it depends on how they want this framed. If its going to be "permanently" sealed within a frame (at least to the point nobody wants it destroyed), I would think any item that doesn't show the sticker ON the item could possibly be a quality reproduction that you wouldn't be able to spot without removing from the frame. The sticker on front, proudly displayed, avoids that whole issue

Other than that, I guess it could be for the fanboys of the TPA service who get off seeing their authenticity proven. Kind of like an opportunity for know it alls to rub it in the face of those who show interest in their item, that they were right. They knew it was authentic and this sticker justifies it?... Might seem crazy to some but I definitely know a few people who probably do think that way

Permalink Reply by eddy on April 14, 2025 at 1:20pm

Using that phrase "fanboys of the TPA" reminds me of a video that I recently saw on YouTube. 

It's an interview with the owner of one of the TPAs.  He's telling the interviewer that he knows of collectors who frame autographed items alongside their company's LOA in the same frame display because they want things that are "pristine and perfect". 

The interviewer (smiling) says "I'm one of them".

Permalink Reply by Jason H 21 hours ago

I'm browsing through this thread again because my Harold Ramis photo is currently in the hands of Mintych Authentics for Dan Aykroyd's private signing. There was no option for an LOA and I wanted to make sure I had a "witnessed" authentication on file. I advised them to place it on the back lower corner since it was either that or no authentication at all. I'm glad I did not get a JSA sticker placed on this item as it would start looking ridiculous with multiple stickers

Anyways, this also made me remember how about 8 years ago, I purchased a JSA authenticated Ghostbusters cast photo for $500. Checked it out as soon as it arrived and the photo was an authenticated preprint. Broke my heart for anyone who knows the story of why Ive been frantically looking for another complete cast photo after letting go of the one I received all signatures in person for about 15 years ago before Ramis died. (I should be grateful though for how it thrusted me back into this hobby - I've been a part of some very exciting aspects which never would have been possible without the determination over my heartbreak) - I did get my money back for that reprint

Point of all of this is, even if the sticker is placed in front before framing, to act as proof, just as Eric stated, the item could still be a reproduction. Anything framed would probably have to be removed for inspection either way. HOWEVER, this really only applies to us serious collectors. We all know how 95% of buyers are clueless and rely on the sticker alone. If anyone intends to sell an item, I hate to say it but that sticker being on front will look very attractive to people with deep pockets who just don't know any better. 

It's funny how that all works and has become apparent in the latest Fleetwood Mac thread where the seller "CRCCollection_Store" is very successful at scamming collectors outside of this group. While nothing has been authenticated, he has an almost flawless feedback record on eBay selling nothing but forgeries to unsuspecting buyers. Are we really the minority in this hobby? Resellers and uneducated collectors are the driving force and we are just a small group of gatekeepers trying to weed out the evil? 

I agree with everything said throughout this thread and for the most part, authentication stickers should remain off the item. But my question now is, if I'm gone and my family decides to sell my collection, do they cater to our small group who wants items sticker free? Or the other 95% of collectors who are brainwashed into thinking a sticker is necessary and adds value? The value only comes from their lack of education which sadly is rampant and why TPAs really exist in the first place..

An LOA solves this for the most part I guess, but it costs more than just a basic sticker cert. Will an LOA add more value to the item to make up for it? 

Hope this isn't too much of a rambling rant. I'm anxious about certain things and it's causing me to be stuck in a loop of non stop over thinking this weekend

RSS

© 2025   Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service