Taylor Swift Self-Titled Album Booklet Check

I bought this Taylor Swift self-titled album booklet off eBay. I only ever buy autographs from official sources, such as the artist's website or bookstores. This is my first time buying off of eBay and just want to be sure. It has a PSA booklet, which I know is an authentication service, but I don't know much about it. I doubled checked the certification number on the PSA website and it showed a photo that matched the signature in the listing.

I paid $450ish after tax. I think this is a fair price for a self-titled 2006 era signature, but wanted to double check that as well.

Thank you for any help!

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Permalink Reply by ALZ on January 15, 2023 at 8:27am

From my research, she only signed like this for about a year and a half (2006 to mid 2007) before switching to the style we see today. She would've been 16 or 17 and just starting her career. 2006 to mid 2007, she would've signed "T Swift" vs "Taylor". Mid 2007, before her second album Fearless came out, she started signing her more regular style and so there are some debut copies that match what we usually see today.

Some examples: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/109y3ks/bef...

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/108uxa3/new...

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/npwrit/tayl...

https://poshmark.com/listing/Taylor-Swift-Debut-RARE-Signed-CD-Book...

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/qxv0s9/is_t...

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/r6n44p/chec...

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/phlcme/tayl...

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/nsv03z/tayl...

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/n7yzzm/yest...

https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/n3jewl/2_de...

Her signature evolution: https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwift/comments/o04zc2/taylor_swifts_...

Also, her first album had 2 printings - the original 2006 one and the 2008 one. The original 2006 album booklet was the uncensored version, but she made herself more family friendly and re-recorded a couple songs (Picture to Burn and Teardrops on my Guitar) with the censored version in 2008. The CD booklet I bought is the 2006 1st printing with the uncensored lyrics.

What the 2008 reissue signature looks like which matches her commonly used one today: https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/n9q0rp/just.... 2008 was when she started getting more famous as her second album Fearless came out, with her hits like Love Story and You Belong With Me. The 2008 reissue also has a green vertical line on the back of the booklet on the righthand side.

Another example of the 2008 signature: https://www.reddit.com/r/TaylorSwiftAutographs/comments/zym4ic/some...

Due to the original 2006 booklet, I'm leaning towards authentic. I've been learning about her signatures for the past month or so since it's my goal to collect each album and frame it. If you had asked me a month ago, I would've had no idea she used to sign her last name. 

Permalink Reply by Kai Jones on January 15, 2023 at 8:46am

Sorry, I have to disagree. I still say no good!

Permalink Reply by ALZ on January 15, 2023 at 8:48am

Just curious as to your thoughts on why? I appreciate everyone's input.

Permalink Reply by Kai Jones on January 15, 2023 at 8:51am

It just looks unnatural to me. Call it a gut feeling. I would want something I was 100% on and Im not sold on this one. Just one mans opinion.

Permalink Reply by ALZ on January 15, 2023 at 8:55am

Thanks for your thoughts! Honestly, I'm not a fan of the seller since they seem like a reseller (sold over 21k items on eBay, most of them Taylor Swift "promo" CDs in the last year, of which I've always found those dubious). I sent a message to the seller yesterday asking for the background/additional proof from PSA, but haven't heard anything. I'd definitely feel a lot better if it was someone who claims they bought it at a concert and had a ticket stub or something. If I don't hear anything additional from the seller, I'll definitely reconsider keeping it since I want something I'm sure of. 

Buying from eBay is challenging for sure! All of my other Taylor Swift autographs have been purchased by me from the official store, so it's hard to buy from the secondary market now. And of course the debut album is the most challenging so of course I had to start with that one haha.

Permalink Reply by Kai Jones on January 15, 2023 at 8:58am

If the seller has a dubious history and/or other questionable items for sale, thats a huge red flag. 

Permalink Reply by Kai Jones on January 15, 2023 at 9:00am

Also, the OP doesnt really compare favorably to any of the examples you posted, except in the most basic (easy to replicate) ways. Its questionable enough in my opinion to steer clear of. 

Permalink Reply by ALZ on January 15, 2023 at 9:02am

Those are some good thoughts! Funnily enough, I just heard back from the seller: 

"I have been collecting Taylor stuff since 2006 and accumulated quite a collection. It will be hard to say exactly when I got this.
Judging from the signature I can say that this was signed sometime between 2006 to 2008. Back then if you were at her concert where she opened for Rascal Flatts, George Strait or Tim McGraw, her father would manage the merchandise booth, and her mother would run backstage to get Taylor to sign the CD for you.

As for PSA, I only have the COA card that is included with your purchase.

Monday is a Post Office holiday, so your item will be mailed Tuesday.
Thank you very much for your business, have a nice day!!"

Not sure why they wouldn't remember buying it? Their store sells TONS of Taylor Swift merch. Like they've sold one necklace like a hundred times. After this response, I think I'm going to cancel, especially since he hasn't shipped it out yet. If I'm going to buy off eBay, I rather it be someone who has more proof.

Permalink Reply by ALZ on January 15, 2023 at 9:14am

I did also have a concern that the signature looked too perfect. It's probably best if I can find something with a ticket stub or more legit proof and not a reseller who doesn't know the history of the item. Learning that PSA doesn't guarantee authenticity. 

Permalink Reply by Kai Jones on January 15, 2023 at 9:20am

Yes, you have to tick off alot of boxes buying on Ebay and use all the information available before making your decision. If its not airtight, you have to consider that it might not be real. Once that doubt creeps in, you will forever wonder, and that is saying nothing of your potential to resell one day - those questions for the original seller now become your questions to answer for prospective buyers. 

Permalink Reply by ALZ on January 15, 2023 at 9:57am

Not sure how to reply to your latest message, but you are definitely right! I rather pay more money on something that has a more well defined history to it and not have to worry about "what ifs" just because I got a deal on something.

I figured out how to view the seller's sold listings and he's sold 3 different Fearless CDs (all with PSAs) which is just unrealistic in my opinion. Who would have 3 signed Fearless CDs from 2008? They looked right, but were all the same style/too perfect. Crazy how individually each piece looks right with the PSA authentication and everything, but you put it all together and it starts looking fishy. 

I replied to the seller's message asking to cancel the order since I'm looking for items that have a known history.

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