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While studying the top Beatles lot at the 18/19 April Heritage auction (see link below) I began wondering what cover old letters of authenticity really provide? 

In this case signed album being sold has a 1995 Frank Caiazzo letter. Is Frank in any way liable to the buyer of this album and, if so, to what amount? What proof would have to be provided to make Frank give any kind of refund?

I'm sure that this has been discussed a thousand times on this forum but does Frank's letter provide any comfort above the fact that he, as a/the Beatles autograph expert, has been willing to state in writing that these autographs are authentic? 

Here is the item link:

http://entertainment.ha.com/itm/entertainment-and-music/beatles-sig...

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Hi pug. Some good questions the video link is down the bottom of George sister so that's another eye witness account and the doctor. I don't think the album itself is an issue but some good questions generallyspeaking.

Hi Paul, what is the video link you refer to? The normal Heritage promo video doesn't seem to contain anything about this lot.

Just scoll down on the aml page to videos and see Louise Harrison.

It is an entertaining video, though it provides little hard and fast evidence as to this particular album - which is something we were discussing in a "how important is provenance" thread.

What is interesting is that this album was sold by the doctor's family for around $63k in May 2011 and re-sold at RR Auctions for about $120k in March 2014. What is even more interesting is that RR mention the album as being accompanied by full letters of authenticity from PSA/DNA, Roger Epperson/REAL, and Tracks.

Quite why the album is being offered yet again with an estimate of "$15k up" and no mention of the above-mentioned letters of authenticity is anyone's guess.

I actually find it odd that the doctor didn't get the album inscribed to his son and why George wouldn't have mentioned the doctor's treatment, as he did on another example signed for the doctor. This was also discussed on AML when the 2011 sale took place ("Unknown Band-Signed "Meet the Beatles" Album Surfaces in Antiques Auction, Sells for $63,250", posted 6 June 2011). The images in that thread look a whole lot dirtier than the Heritage images - presumably it has been to the restorers for a wash and brush-up.

By the way. the inscribed Dr. Gordon album appears to have sold at Case Antiques for around $75k later in 2011 (after the June AML post). I would far rather have had that one as there is an actual link to the provenance story.

Phew! Sorry if all that was a bit confusing. I have no vested interest in any of this or grudges against any particular auction house or authenticator  - I just find it interesting to see how these big ticket items get handled by the market.

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