Van Halen autographs! Real or fake?

I'm interested in these vinyls that are supposedly signed by all 4 members (David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony). Since I wanted to gift one of these to a huge Van Halen fan, I really do not want them to be fake. It would make me look stupid and I would be devastated/angry...all that good stuff. Okay, so the items in question are:

Women & Children First Vinyl (please ignore that the auction ended) & Van Halen Vinyl & Van Halen II

I know they say to beware of Ebay auctions, but I have no idea where else to find autographs. And who knows, you may find a diamond within all the fakes.

I understand this isn't a certified authentication, but I would very much appreciate your personal or even professional opinions!

Thanks :)

Tags: Alex, Anthony, Autograph, David, Ebay, Eddie, Halen, Lee, Michael, Roth, More…Van, Vinyl

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Permalink Reply by Amanda DeLisi on October 14, 2012 at 2:48pm

P.S. For the "Woman & Children First" album, I've tried comparing myself. The only one that kind of bothers me is David Lee Roth's signature. Usually I see that he clearly writes the Lee, but I do also understand autographs can change or someone can shorten their name. As for the second one, I personally don't see anything wrong besides the fact that I've never used "iOffer"

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Permalink Reply by Rich on October 14, 2012 at 3:45pm

There are certainly others on this forum who know VH autographs well, as I do not at all. That being said, I would be shocked if any three of those are authentic. The signed record (Women and Children first ) - well, I almost never, ever see an instance where the signed vinyl itself is authentic. Just my perspective. But in this instance, he's selling Springsteen for $16? Look at his past auctions. All dirt cheap premium names - Springsteen, MJ, Eagles, Dylan . . . I don't see any non-superstars among the group. He's giving away thousands of dollars out of the goodness of his heart? No way. Please avoid.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 14, 2012 at 4:50pm

It is my personal opinion that all of the pieces referred to are suspicious for various reasons.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda DeLisi on October 14, 2012 at 6:47pm

The one I would probably see as the LEAST suspicious would be the Van Halen II only because it has a year when it was "supposedly" signed, which I know some artists do to make it more personal/less likely to be sold. I just don't know. I don't want to spend so much to have either me and/or my friend find out its worthless. He will probably be ecstatic until the ugly truth comes out.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 14, 2012 at 7:03pm

When in 2008 would Michael Anthony have been with the band in order to sign that album with the same exact marker as the rest of them? I am also very curious about the "Roth" signature. The "th" is particularly bothering me. Save your money.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on October 14, 2012 at 7:05pm

Whoa, good catch Mike.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda DeLisi on October 14, 2012 at 7:10pm

Supposedly in the description it says "David, Eddie and Alex signed during their tour in 08 and Michael signed as a member of Chicken Foot. Person I got them from had the ability and the desire to get the ORIGINAL line up. He did not care for Wolfgang."

I appreciate that he MADE that effort to justify that. But still doesn't mean its true.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 14, 2012 at 7:17pm

I am still suspicious. I have a recent Michael Anthony signature with a Chickenfoot symbol added to it. I'm not sure if he was adding the symbol to his signature in 2008 but I am still suspicious. I also don't like that Alex didn't add a dot beneath his name. If you have any doubts about the piece do not buy it. Personally I would not want it in my collection.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda DeLisi on October 14, 2012 at 7:22pm

You seem like you have a legit piece on your hands. How did you get it?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on October 14, 2012 at 7:31pm

I have a friend who has been touring with the band for years. He had them sign the new CD for me and had Sammy and Mike sign a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame photo when Chickenfoot played the Beacon Theater this year. I also met Dave before a solo concert in 2003. He signed my ticket stub.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda DeLisi on October 14, 2012 at 7:35pm

Wow! Lucky man!

If I were to FINALLY come across a legit piece for him, it would have to be signed by Diamond Dave. Or else :P

This is all just really disheartening. And they canceled the concert that I wanted to attended (date already passed), so its not like I can go get it myself :/

Permalink Reply by Rich on October 14, 2012 at 7:04pm

When I don't know the signatures that well, I often start by looking at it in the context of the other items the seller is selling or sold. In this case, he has a full band Metallica, full band KISS, full band Sabbath, full band GNR . . . add to the fact that the seller has sold a ton of full band KISS autos for under $100. I'd be extremely suspicious and very cautious.

I know there was recently a discussion about VH signatures, so there are certainly well-learned people on the forum who could give you a more definitive answer.