Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James on June 8, 2015 at 12:21pm

Although I think PSA/DNA is important to the hobby, have you ever asked yourself how these guys became the so-called experts? I think that their overall work is pretty good. However, where did Steve Grad learn his trade? My understanding is that he had no formal training so-to-speak, but rather apprenticed under the founder of the now-defunct Maestro Auctions which was selling tons of forgeries supposedly.

Also, John Reznikoff, who is supposed to be a big JFK expert, made about an $8 million blunder by authenticating around 200 forged JFK letters, though UN-intentionally I must add. Yet still, it was a big mistake. Anyone interested in PSA/DNA's employees needs to read this article from "The New York Times":

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/12/nyregion/charges-forgery-betrayal...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on June 8, 2015 at 2:42pm

I have no real opinion on Steve Grad but I think he has actually done something good for the hobby by going on the show and I imagine helped PSA increase business too.

I was recently contacted by someone in Australia who watches Pawn Stars and said they believed an item for sale on a site here was a fake as the tips they had learned from watching Steve Grad on the show had made them more alert to buying autographs. Ironically they were right.

For me if it helps amateurs question a little more and learn a few tips then it's good for the hobby and may help stop some of these scammers ripping people off and people thinking they got the bargain of the century being ripped off.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on June 8, 2015 at 3:49pm

There are people on this site that have an amazing level of knowledge about the autographs that they specialize in. There are guys who know The Beatles inside and out, a guy who's final say on a Mantle is like gospel. We have a guy that knows more about Don Mattingly's autograph than Don Mattingly. We have Steve Z for astronauts and Roger for music.

When we look at the resources we have here we are very lucky, but in the world of 3rd party autograph authenticators, the guys who have to know enough about everything, who is better?

No one is perfect and mistakes can be made and harped on, but I'd love to hear who it is that can do a better job across all the realms of autograph collecting?       

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul on June 9, 2015 at 2:27am

From Rhcp to baseball go grad go.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul on June 9, 2015 at 3:53pm

Great comment Pete.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on June 9, 2015 at 4:04pm

Grad replaced Drew Max of Authentic Autographs Unlimited on Pawn Stars. Would you want Max back?

AAU is aptly named. The autographs that they'll call authentic are unlimited.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul on June 9, 2015 at 4:17pm

A lot of the topics on the board are American centric so it's hard to keep up. It doesn't hurt to ask. Drews has no chops.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul on June 9, 2015 at 4:25pm

Does Grad own psa?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on June 9, 2015 at 4:26pm

No. PSA is owned by a public company, Collectors Universe (CLCT).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul on June 9, 2015 at 5:01pm

I'm sure the stuff on pawn is set up after Drew debacle.
Psa sounds massive.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Fuddjcal on June 19, 2015 at 10:38am

As much as I despise Drew Maxipadd, he actually did a pretty good job on the show, IMHO. Yeah he blew a few big items here and there, but he did say no to a few....we all know that NO is not in his vocabulary as I personally never seen an authentic signature that bears his AAU sticker.

No one is perfect, even PSA. They were built on a lie in the first place with the trimmed Honus Wagner and have made multiple gigantic mistakes that go undone. Still, they get more right than most.

I would have failed the in person Koufax as well...It's a MESS. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by hitmanten on June 9, 2015 at 6:50pm

Pawn Stars is all set up. Turns out they troll eBay for interesting items, and was contacted by them about an item I had for sale there. Was just contacted recently by the production team; They're pitching a show about reuniting people with lost treasures - Dad's beloved Mustang, etc.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page