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Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on July 15, 2014 at 12:39am

Hi Michelle, I would suggest posting here for other thoughts. Have you emailed the seller your concerns and opened a case to do this? First and foremost you need to protect yourself and if you have been misled you will need to return and get your money back. Can I ask how much the item cost etc?

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Permalink Reply by michelle on July 15, 2014 at 1:10am

Hi Dan.  Yes I have opened a case.  Unfortuantely it was the most expensive item I have EVER purchased so am reluctant to say exactly how much it was but it was around the $740  mark; - but there was no doubt in my mind at the time that from the scan the signature was authentic  & I couldn't believe my luck in acquiring an 8 x 10 genuine autograph of an iconic star that is supposed to be about 50 years old.  When it arrived the 8 x 10 was on mega thin glossy paper, glossy to the boarders and with an unnatural glossy sheen which I have never seen before on a vintage photo or on any kind of photo.  It is absolutely in mint condition , no marks creases on it anything, the back as well. The photo has no depth or clarity to details.  It does measure 8 x 10 but when placed against all my other vintage 8 x 10 it is a little smaller which leads to me believe after careful measurement that vintage 8 x 10's are a little bigger than 8 x 10 altho it looks plain daft against the other 8 x 10s when it is contrasted re the depth of colour and shape on other vintage b & w photos

Sig.  There is no impression of the sig on the back and no indentation anywhere.  It is signed in a black felt tip kind of pen which is the kind of pen the star used but I can't describe how glossy it is.  I put a bit of spit on the sig, as far as I can see there is no smudge but a small bit of ink came off immediately onto my fingers and disappeared quickly .  It reminds me of those marker pens that kids play with. 

The photo and sig should be about 50 years old

I need to get my money because of how expensive it was for me but also I don't want to pay the return p & p to USA which is going to be expensive if tracked.  The seller is arguing in the res centre that is genuine etc....... Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on July 15, 2014 at 1:44am

Hi Michelle, it sounds almost identical to a case I had many years ago when I purchased what was supposed to be a Shirley Temple photo signed when she was about 11. As in your case from the scan it looked the real deal but as in your case the paper seemed fresh and the whole thing like it was done from a computer not how they used to be printed. I also argued with the seller and eBay ruled that the seller had to accept the return and after trying to refuse delivery I got my money back.

Regardless of what the seller says I would look to try to post up a photo of the back of the photo, I know it may sound weird but most old photos usually have some yellowing or tend to be different from modern photos which seem pristine white so we can see. It sounds to me like this may be a scam or the seller simply having onsold something and realised they are going to get taken to task.

If you escalate you will be able to return but as you say you will have to return the item but it's a loss of say $60 v $740

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Permalink Reply by michelle on July 15, 2014 at 2:04am

Oh I feel a lot better Dan cos I can't imagine you being taken in easily (I meant that as a compliment).  Unfortunately I don't have a camera but I might get someone to try and help me.  I think that is an excellent idea about the back.  I assume you mean post it to the seller or ebay in the res case.  I know what you mean about the back of photos because when I looked at it yesterday comparing it to other vintage photos its like brand new , no marks , nothing.  When you place your hand over the front it feels glossy and sheen like.

It took a lot of googling to work out that this was what it could be.  Excuse the ignorance but what is the sheen from.?  Is  this modern ink on this autograph formed from a water based solvent for it to dissolve that quickly when in comes in contact with liquid? Any technical or specific knowledge will help me in my battle in res court?

Yep you're right about the p & p but what is frightening is that  if I hadn't already  got some vintage autographed and non autographed photos , I would have been delighted with this purchase because it  is in such pristine  condition.  Thanks for your reply Dan ; - I feel a little less sick now

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