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WARNING! Elton John's store selling Autopens as real

FB RACC members who bought these sold as signed by Elton John in his store have compared theirs—they're Autopens, essentially identical.

Infuriating!

Tags: autopen, elton john, store

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Permalink Reply by 5816nick on September 1, 2023 at 11:20am

Like Elton John, Liam Gallagher Rita Ora... and all the other fakers are ever going to admit they are fake / autopenned ! Obviously they will deny it, but the proof is in the photos the EJ signatures are 100% identical - nobody can do a 100% identical sig

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Permalink Reply by Vamonos on September 1, 2023 at 10:37am

It's definitely slightly different from all the others I've seen so far. Can't tell if it's the real thing though.

Another autopen version possibly?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 1, 2023 at 10:48am

Autopens can have very minor variations from the pen, placement, etc. There are some machines that will print a number of variations, like the Dylan ones.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Taylor on September 1, 2023 at 11:03am

The Dylan autopen got significant mainstream media coverage thanks to this forum calling it out - same should happen with this one, the more shaming takes place the more it will deter in future. From memory there were some journalists who proactively picked up from the forum.

I don’t know how this one was promoted but there needs to be some sort of industry agreement to be transparent about whether a signed item is individually and personally signed by the artist - any that are via autopen should use the word ‘autopen’in the promo wording

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Permalink Reply by Jason H on September 1, 2023 at 11:22am

This one is a bit different unfortunately. Correct if im mistaken but these were priced at retail and included free with purchase. Dont get me wrong, we should always get what is advertised, but this is essentially a free print which is much different than Dylan, advertised as a deluxe edition hand signed for $700 (price depending on where and how you purchased) There was also a lot of effort involved by all of us to research the lengths Dylan and his team would take to decieve us all with his fraud. Elton is pretty clear cut. For this reason, it will be difficult to gain any media attention. Not impossible of course, its still an international superstar taking advantage of his fans but on a much different, much lower level. I believe mostly for chart purposes

I'm waiting for more information to come in and will send out a bunch of emails over the weekend. Unfortunately (fortunately for me personally) I did not purchase these but what I can do, and all of us can do as a community, is gather and pass on information as best as we can. If you love this hobby, don't let this slide. Even if you did not make a purchase. We need to make as much noise as possible.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Taylor on September 1, 2023 at 11:50am

I think this is a fascinating issue and one that won’t go away.

There is an emerging model of artists getting high chart entries by organising meet and greets in record stores and offering genuine signed bundles on web stores - it’s been a great way for established (Suede and Dexys as examples) and newer artists (Yard Act, Lathums, Sports Team) both to thank their fans and maximise the chances of an album getting towards the top of the charts.

Maybe I’m being cynical but it feels like som very big artists - or more likely their marketing teams - have clocked the potential but can’t be arsed to sign hundreds of record covers.

it doesn’t matter if it’s a 10 grand painting or a £15 vinyl - the principle is the same if it’s not unequivocally and accurately described as individually hand signed by the artist.

it shouldn’t be down to forums like this to call out the behaviour but it often is and it’s a great community to learn from.

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Permalink Reply by 5816nick on September 1, 2023 at 11:34am

A Reply from an annoyed ebay seller who bought 3 identical copies.....Photo attached

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Thanks for letting me know. And you are absolutely right.
I managed to get 3 of them and the signature on all 3 is identical (I only opened one to see).
The other two lithos are also bent :-(

I have adjusted my listing to reflect this.
I am really sad that this has happened. I was hoping to keep one for myself but now there is no point.
I have also put a complaint in with the Elton John store which us just a front for Universal Music. We'll see what they have to say.

If they use an autopenne than why did we have to wait 3 months to get these ?

Anyway thanks for the heads , I appreciate it.