We are an eBay affiliate and may be compensated for clicks on links that result in purchases.

Should I get this Elton John signature authenticated, slabbed?

I have this Elton John signature in my collection. It’s quite large and measures like 5x7 inches. I might sell or trade it at some point. I am thinking about sending it to get authenticated. I am also thinking about getting it slabbed if I do get it authenticated. What do you think is the best authentication company to use for this purpose? I know of Beckett, PSA and JSA. But I also know there are certain specialized authentication companies for certain autographs but maybe it’s best to stick with the ones that do all types of autographs?

I am pretty sure this autograph is authentic but I know if I go to sell/trade it I would have a much better time with it being authenticated. I like the idea of getting it slabbed but I know some people might prefer it not slabbed so they can frame it and such. So a few options but want to hear your thoughts. I also have a Barack Obama signature I think I will get slabbed if I go this route. I know it’s expensive though and it would be my first time getting autographs authenticated so I would like some advice and ideas and thoughts.

UPDATE: I sent this to Beckett for encapsulation. It just came back a few days ago. It did NOT pass authentication.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by BGK on March 8, 2023 at 6:45am

I have had PSA encapsulate cut autographs for me regularly - I have a Stephen King in process now - and I am pleased with the results both aesthetically and financially. Certainly the presentation is more pleasing than a cut piece of paper, and the clout of assumed authenticity should not be underestimated. There are caveats, of course. First, and most obviously, is the signer marketable in their own right? In your case, with Elton John, the answer is self-evident. Second, is your autograph authentic? If not, you lose, period. Thirdly, what's the competition? Barack Obama slabbed autographs sold for a small fortune until the unsalable Renegades book came out and everyone rushed to PSA with their cut signatures. There are other considerations as well. In my opinion - emphasis! - if the members of this forum give the green light on the authenticity of your Elton John, you would enhance the marketabilty and presentation of your autograph considerably by having it encapsulated.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JMS1223 on March 8, 2023 at 7:12am

Thanks. I was thinking PSA might be a good one to send them to since I think many recognize them. The nice thing about having authenticated and slabbed signatures are they are much easier to sell, especially at shows too and not just online. The Elton John is not for sale right now but if/when I get it slabbed it probably will be.

I have my Barack Obama cut (not authenticated) on eBay right now for $500 but then I noticed a few others have them slabbed and their price is also $500 so I doubt mine will sell as it is for the same price as a slabbed one. I would need a bid of $350 to break even on it as it is but if I get it slabbed it will probably cost me an extra $150 total with getting it slabbed. At that moment $500 would only make me break even, so to make a profit I would need to increase the price to like $600 but others are at $500 slabbed so not sure if it would sell. Might be better off trying to sell the cut as is and knock the price to $400 rather than get it slabbed and increase the price to $600. The Obama cut came directly from the Renegades book so I know it’s authentic and many people are aware of their origin so I think someone might still buy it not authenticated whereas the Elton John is more iffy since not everyone knows/trusts its background in the same way. That’s why I am thinking that’s a much better candidate for slabbing.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BGK on March 8, 2023 at 10:17am

Again, just my opinion, but your thinking is sound. PSA will charge $100 to encapsulate Obama and you still have shipping / insurance fees to consider. You may very well do better by lowering your price and biting the bullet. Tough to say definitively, ebay can be crazy sometimes. Good luck with your Elton, that's truly a prize.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by michelle on March 8, 2023 at 11:06am

Just to be awkward I dont think its necessary to have it slabbed and its much better to just get it authetnticated. Many non usa bidders wont even understand the significance of the slabbing so you are limiting your market . I know my view is going to be in the minority but there you go.................

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JMS1223 on March 8, 2023 at 12:17pm

I also understand people might want to frame it and having it slabbed might make that difficult but I have seen some framed pieces with slabbed autographs inside the frame but doesn’t look as good in my opinion. This is why this a tough decision, to get it slabbed or just get it authenticated? Personally I think I would rather have a slabbed autograph like this than it just having it authenticated (also I hate those stickers they put on the items…I know you can have it placed on the LOA which is what I would definitely do if I went that route)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Findbooks on March 8, 2023 at 4:56pm

Not really relevant but it might help me sleep a little better tonight if I confess in public....I had a copy of the Complete Lyrics, Taupin & Elton, signed by both....................................................................................

Bought it for £40 and flipped it for £80 same day - circa 1997.

Value today?

DON'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stephen Woods on March 8, 2023 at 11:32pm

OMG.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JMS1223 on March 8, 2023 at 6:50pm

Also do you feel this will pass Authentication? I never used them before but I have heard of authentic autographs failing authentication and forgeries passing.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BallroomDays67 on March 8, 2023 at 7:33pm

Tough question. A member here sent in what I consider to be a very nice Ringo signature cut from a copy of a Genesis Publications book and it failed authentication. I never would have expected that. You’re correct though. There also have been cases in which an authentic autograph or autographs fail authentication and then pass authentication the second time around.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JMS1223 on March 21, 2023 at 5:25pm

I don’t want to create a new thread but what are your feelings on this Elton John signature? Likely to pass as authentic and worth the risk to get authenticated? Or sell as is and offer refund if it fails authentication?