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Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on February 10, 2013 at 4:50pm

Hi Eddy,

I cant speak for the Harris or DMB, but the Chuck Berry does not look genuine. Where did you get it from if you dont mind me asking? I could be wrong, but feel confident that it is a common forgery.

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Permalink Reply by Edy Henderson-Villegas on February 10, 2013 at 5:35pm

Hi Ryan,

I went to an estate sale yesterday, and there was a small lot of 6 signed memorabilia items. I was told that they have no COA or information about where they were purchased from, because the person of the estate sale has passed away. Someone in the family thought perhaps Craig's List. So, I bought the lot knowing I was taking a chance. Fortunately the lot of items was not hundreds of dollars. There is a photo with the album of CB signing it. But I don't know if that means anything really.

I really appreciate your time in responding to this post.

I am so new to this, and I find it very interesting. This is something I always to pursue and never did. So, I thought I try out this lot I bought. I am not real surprised if they are forged. With no COA I knew I was taking a risk. I hoped they would be real of course, but I talked with company that had the estate sale and they are willing to let me return them.

They did not have time to check the items out themselves, the person who passed away had no money, and they were trying to get some money together for the family for his funeral.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on February 10, 2013 at 5:50pm

Hey Edy, it's not so much whether they have COA - it's where did this collector get them and did he know what he was doing.  It looks like perhaps he didn't.  But maybe he got lucky with a few items.

Honestly, some of my favorite autographs don't have a COA (and never will), but that doesn't make them any less authentic.

If you could post the photo of Chuck signing the album, that might be helpful too.

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Permalink Reply by Edy Henderson-Villegas on February 10, 2013 at 6:18pm

Hey Rich,

The estate sale was for an elderly man that passed away. His family knew nothing about the items. I bought a lot of 6 signed memorabilia items. I'm not upset about this, I knew I was taking a chance. And I have forever wanted to learn more about authentic signatures. This was a great way to begin.

The Mantle is a fake. I had a gut feeling it was when I bought it.

I look it at this way, the family needed the money and I wanted to start collecting and learning about this world of fakes and the real deal. I think everyone came out ok.

I'm going to post the photo now.

Attachments: No photo uploads here

• C Berry autograph.jpg, 233 KB

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Permalink Reply by Rich on February 10, 2013 at 8:53pm

Well, it is good that something came out of this regardless.  As long as it didn't put you out a lot of cash, it went toward a good cause and you're happy with the learning experience, sounds like this wasn't a complete bust.

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Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on February 10, 2013 at 8:54pm

Hello again,

You might want to ask Roger Epperson on the Berry to know for sure, but i feel pretty confident its bad. Proof photos showing records being signed are often used as ploys to get bidders, especially on ebay. Often the proof photo is generic, and simply shows someone signing autographs. Sometimes you will even catch a picture of a celeb signing an autograph of an item similar to the one in question, but not really the one you would end up purchasing. This happens very very frequently. But most often you simply are supplied with a proof photo of for example:  Chuck Berry signing autographs in a crowd, or Chuck Berry signing something, but you cant make out what it is, or chuck berry signing a similar album, but you cant make out if its actually your album or not. These are the type of things you have to look for with the forgers. And you see them very frequently. Their have been huge scandals that involve this type of thing. So my personal opinion on proof photos, is that they are largely worthless.

I never fully trust them, and i only really take them into account, when i have a clear photo in my hand of the artist signing the exact item in question, in no uncertain terms. And pics like these rarely come along. Its the same thing with video nowadays too. Most proof videos you see are generic, and many are fake.

But your Berry item could be real, but i would be very surprised.  But if you want to be sure ask Roger Epperson. He is the best.

Carl

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Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on February 10, 2013 at 8:56pm

Oops, i just saw you posted the proof pic. Yep, that is what i was talking about. A generic photo of Berry signing and you cant make out what he is signing or where the signature is being applied to the item. You see these type of proof photos everywhere in todays market and they really prove nothing.

Not only that, but check out Chuck Berrys sharpie color, its a light blue. The Chuck Berry item you have is signed in silver sharpie. You can also see that Chuck is signing the item in the upper area not in the middle, and that the CD being signed has a cover that is much lighter than the item that you have.

I would not put any faith in this item at all, i am pretty sure its a clunker.

Good luck though

Carl

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Permalink Reply by Edy Henderson-Villegas on February 10, 2013 at 9:39pm

I was thinking some of the same things, the marker, but it is possible he was handed the marker by the person he was signing for. Maybe they wanted a certain color for their item. Maybe the photo was taken while waiting for the people ahead of them. . .ya I agree with you, it doesn't really convince me either.

LoL 

I think I might send it to Roger Epperson just to be sure. . .

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Permalink Reply by Carl Ryan on February 10, 2013 at 9:42pm

I know its easy to want to believe its real, but their is no chance that he is signing your item in that photo. Unfortunately i am almost 100 percent positive its a forgery

But let us know what Roger says

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Permalink Reply by Edy Henderson-Villegas on February 10, 2013 at 9:59pm

I will post Roger's decision. I posted earlier that I'm not upset about this.  I'm new to this but I had a feeling when I was looking at the lot of 6 items at the estate sale, not to expect much from them. It's similar to buying a lotto ticket, it might be a winner. But when all is said and done, the money I paid for these items went where it was needed most. I won't return the items or cause any trouble over it, i will destroy them.

Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on February 10, 2013 at 9:58pm

The Chuck Berry is definitely fake.

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