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Purchased "Authentic" autographed by The Rolling Stones that PSA/DNA discredited

A few months back I picked up an encased guitar signed by The Rolling Stones at a store called Antiquities International in the Forum shops at Caesars Palace for roughly $2500. I have to admit that I have no experience when it comes to autographs but because the store was located in a major hotel among some of the finest stores (Prada, Coach, Tiffanys, etc.) and that I researched the store's reputation on the web, I wrongly assumed I was dealing with a reputable dealer. After the purchase they shipped it to me and I proudly hung it in my den and enjoyed seeing it whenever I entered the room.
A couple of weeks ago I was on the web again and came across an article that caused some concern about the guitars that are sold as authentic often aren't, regardless of where they're purchased so I decided to seek out someone or a service that can verify the signatures authenticity. I learned that a company PSA/DNA would be in the Chicago area on May 22nd (yesterday) and that their stamp of approval would remove any doubt about the autographs. I paid $200 to the store owner where PSA/DNA was working that day, gave him the guitar and waited patiently for about thirty minutes for the outcome. Upon his return he gave me the guitar and, to my disappointment informed me that it didn't pass scrutiny. With that he sent me on my way with a promise I would receive documentation in the mail to that effect. When I reached my car I immediately called Antiquities International where I bought the guitar and the person went on to tell me that PSA/DNA aren't the last word when it came to forensic analysis and that I would need to find someone with credentials that would hold up in court to credit or discredit the authenticity of the autographs. I learned later in the day that I might have a chance for a refund because I used an American Express card to buy it but I'll need the documentation first. I can't even put into words how disappointed I am with this issue. I invite any comments, suggestions, expertise, or guidance in this matter but I have little hope that it will end well. That said, I still would like to purchase the real thing and in addition to your comments ask where I might find one that is above reproach as far as its authenticity. I thank you all in advance for taking the time to read this and hope for the best.
Sincerely, Joe

Tags: Antiquities, Rolling, Stones, guitar, international

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Permalink Reply by Bill Fraser on May 24, 2015 at 8:55pm

You could go to the store on the Rolling Stones website. Go to collectables, there you will see signed lithographs from the licks tour. At least you will know it's authentic

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Permalink Reply by Bill Fraser on May 24, 2015 at 8:58pm

They are $3,500

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Permalink Reply by Joe Santori on May 29, 2015 at 3:27am

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your suggestion. It came up in a couple of earlier posts and I gave it some serious considerations. I did as much research as possible mainly because of the experience with the guitar but also because who's to say that the company that the Stones use are any more reputable than any other source. I mean, unless we actually see the band sign anything with our own two eyes we can never be 100% sure what we're investing in is the real deal. It's only my opinion and being a novice you can take that with a grain of salt. What bewildered me about that lithograph while I was researching it was that I found one on ebay that had been PSA/DNA approved (with pictures) for $2500, a thousand less than what you could buy one for on the Stones sight. I asked the seller four on four separate occasions for a reason as to why he was selling it for so much less and couldn't get a straight answer short of "he wanted to be competitive in the market." In my thinking, being competitive and losing money are two separate issues. The only reason I could come up with is that there was something wrong with the print (which he denied saying it was in perfect condition) or he somehow bought it under the retail price. Who knows what the reason was but it made me very suspicious. I even checked out the PSA verification number on PSA's site and it came up as deemed authentic. On top of that the seller had over 400 Ebay transactions and a 100% satisfaction rating. Maybe I lost out on a great deal but in the end I went ahead and bought the litho from the Stones site the other day and just received it yesterday afternoon. I plan to have it authenticated and I hoping beyond hope that it comes back as authentic. I can't even stand to think of the alternative but I dug very deep on the web and couldn't find one negative item in regards to it's authenticity so wish me luck. Thanks again for your great suggestion and let's hope for a happy ending. If you'd like to see a pic of it just let me know and I'll post it up for you.

Joe

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Permalink Reply by Bill Fraser on May 30, 2015 at 3:20pm

I own one of the Stones Lithographs and I know someone else on this site has a few of them. Everyone knows that these are authentic. It has all of the markings on the litho. You would be spending uneeded money sending it to have it authenticated. If it makes you feel more comfortable put a pic up here

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Permalink Reply by Josh Board on May 29, 2015 at 12:32am

I have to commend EVERYONE on how this thread has gone. I feel so bad this guy got burned on a Stones guitar. And for the record, we shouldn't be so quick to bark at him "do your research." I've been in that store. MANY TIMES (as my daughter lives in Vegas, so I go to visit her there). And the stuff looks pretty damn good. IT's framed nicely, and it's in the Cesar's Palace shops. If I wasn't in this industry, it wouldn't even friggin' occur to me to "do my homework" or "research". I'd just assume this stuff was legit.

That being said...we need to find a lawyer, that can really give us the proper channels on how to put these scumbags out of business. EVERY ONE OF US that collects, have been burned on high end items when we were new to this hobby. We all have. It's always horrible to hear about, but I like how this guy is thanking all of you for your help in this matter. It just really sucks because...he's obviously a fan, too. That's the worst.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Santori on May 29, 2015 at 3:34am

Josh,

I agree with everything you had to say and I'm working on the legal aspect of it. I've already conferred with two well respected forensic handwriting analysts as well as my lawyers who, in turn, referred me to a couple of attorneys that have experience with this type of work (mine don't) and are licensed in Nevada. I really had to struggle with myself in making the decision whether it was worth pursuing considering the financial end of it but I have the time and I hate the thought that these people feel they're completely insulated from any recourse. Thanks for taking the time to share your opinion and further encourage me to move forward.

Best Regards, Joe

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Permalink Reply by Josh Board on May 29, 2015 at 3:48pm

Joe, as crazy as this sounds, there is a guy even worse than that company. Anthony Nurse/Anthony Barone....he dupes charities into letting him sell his bogus stuff, and people like you -- the real fans -- spend extra money thinking it's all going to charity, when half go to his forgeries. Here's a link to a story I wrote about it on this website:

http://live.autographmagazine.com/profiles/blogs/did-you-purchase-a...

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Permalink Reply by John Kimball on May 29, 2015 at 5:41pm

Joe , welcome :). Can you show a photo of the newly arrived litho?

Our support is with you .

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Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on May 30, 2015 at 10:41am

Congratulations Joe. I cant see there possibly being any problem with your litho. Rarely ( and the only one I know positively about is Niki Minaj autopen) are the stars own sites going to rip off their fans. You can hang that up and be certain and happy. Its a wonderful piece and a nice future investment. It would be nice to teach those bast---- a lesson. Josh is right, anybody would fall for those flashy stores and all the stars that play in the Vegas area thinking they must be legit.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Santori on June 18, 2015 at 5:13pm

Hi John,

I just uploaded a picture of the litho. Haven't had it framed yet and I'm not sure I uploaded it correctly. Let me know if you have a problem accessing it and I'll try it another way. Thanks for your support.

Joe

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Permalink Reply by Chicklet McTushy on May 30, 2015 at 10:42am

My OPINION would be NEVER buy autographs or art from resort shops or on a cruise ship.
I completely agree with Mike White...if you didn't get the signature, you'll never be sure.
And, as you note, good luck getting them all to sign.
Authentication is a myth. Please read some books about art forgery...how top expert examiners are routinely duped and museums are riddled with forgeries.
I have a photo signed by Mick and Keith, but it was waay back when and they were signed separately far apart.

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