Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rich on August 25, 2012 at 5:46am

Did Elvis really sign like he was an 85 year old man?

Permalink Reply by Brandon Mysinger on August 25, 2012 at 7:17am

Mike, have you rendered an opinion on the autographs shown?

Permalink Reply by Michael Frost on August 25, 2012 at 8:14am

These illustrations are just a few , there are 7 additional signed photos and programs. P.A.A.S. did render an opinion and has send out a full Letter of Examination stating that the signatures are not authentic and a list of the issues with the signatures. If anybody may have a difference in opinion, we would like additional input as well as other opinions. I do however doubt that anyone will have a much different opinion on the signatures shown. The other problem being and I am sure most autograph authenticators have dealt with is "What makes you an expert and how do you know for sure"??? This is the 1st in a series of exemplars " A Day in the Life of a Third Party Autograph Authenticator" and this examination should be an open and shut case.

But I have already been challenged " How can you say this item is not authentic when the person "Paul Lichter" is a known author and close friend to Elvis and his family for over 50 years. He has documented proof including photos with Elvis and his family. He has been known to travel with Elvis and has seen over 800 of his concerts. I do not think you even have a case with your opinion or authentication."

My answer, as always, is simple P.A.A.S. does not examine or authenticate the submitter or the Certificate of Authentication, we examine and authenticate the item, the handwriting and the autograph. I would much rather not even know who the item came from or has previously been authenticated by.

Thank you and there will much more to follow.

Michael Frost

P.A.A.S.

Permalink Reply by Chad B on August 31, 2012 at 5:45am

I was nervous looking at the photos at first. I was afraid you were going to say you thought these were legit. Geez, I could forge that well without much practice.

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 25, 2012 at 8:36am

Mike,

Thanks for this post. Posts like these raise collector awareness and authenticators are often the ones who see quantities of examples from the same source.

Keep 'em coming.

Permalink Reply by Michael Frost on September 1, 2012 at 9:25pm

The response from Elvis Presley's dear friend after he receives the news that the signed Elvis Presley items he has been selling are not authentic.. I love these type of responses.

 

From: Paul Lichter a title="mailto:paul@elvisunique.com" href="mailto:paul@elvisunique.com" target="_blank">paul@elvisunique.com>
To: Mi Bauman a title="mailto:mbauman01@aol.com" href="mailto:mbauman01@aol.com" target="_blank">mbauman0>
Sent: Wed, Aug 22, 2012 6:17 pm
Subject: Re: 4 Elvis Presley Autographs Items - Bad News

 

Nice to hear from you. Very sorry to hear you are having financial difficulties.

Concerning the 4 autographs you purchased they are 100% authentic as was stated at the time you purchased them and I can care less what these so-called experts thank about them. In the first place they were never present when any of the autographs that they are asked to authenticate were originally signed. They base their opinions on whatever examples they have on hand to compare the autographs that they are asked to authenticate. In other words they could be comparing your authentic original Elvis Presley autograph with Elvis' secretarial signed letters, RCA publicity photos with faux autographs and too many other examples such as Patsy Presley signed Elvis autographs, etc. to your real autograph. Since all of the examples I just gave you were not signed by Elvis your Elvis autographs would not match their phony autographs.

Furthermore we are often asked by fans and insurance companies to authenticate Elvis autographs that they had obtained. As you know Elvis signed his name thousands of times. An autograph from the 50's or 60's would not match a 70's autograph. If Elvis were hurried and was running in or out of an arena when a fan stuck something in his face for him to sign since he has nothing to lean on that signature would look quite different than something he signed sitting down with something to lean on.

For all of these reasons the ridiculous list provided to you concerning hesitation, irregular, etc., etc. is not applicable. When Elvis signed the original picture used on the back cover of my first book Elvis In Hollywood that example was used by many of these so-called handwriting experts. Today if you sent them that photo there's a good shot they would tell you it was not real.

You have owned four authentic Elvis Presley autographs since the time you purchased them from me and the letters that I provided you along with the autographed piece should be good enough for anyone wanting to purchase a real Elvis autograph.

Paul

Paul Lichter
Elvis Unique Record Club
Tel: (480) 984-5026
Fax: (480) 984-5056
http://www.elvisunique.com
10933 E. Elmwood St.
Mesa AZ, 85207
USA

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 2, 2012 at 6:10am

In other words, "disregard any irregulariities... they are authentic because I say so."

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on September 2, 2012 at 6:18am

so now it is my understanding that the "story" is more important with regards to authentication, than the actual signature.

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on September 2, 2012 at 6:41am

Charles Hamilton wrote many years ago that good autographs sell themselves, no provenance is necessary. This is just as relevant today.

In my opinion, if the "story" is the ONLY factor that points to "authenticity," the autograph should be avoided.

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