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Is John Lennon Still Signing Autographs in Southern California?

His was a time before eBay, so John Lennon wasn't that jaded about signing autographs—if you could get to him. But few fans carried records around to be signed back then, so any album signed by Lennon since the early '60s is rare.

But not at Forever Legends, an autograph dealer in suburban Los Angeles. While Beatles experts might not be able to count up 10 Lennon signed Imagine albums, Forever Legends has had at least 23 on their website from 2007 to 2010. And who knows how many more didn't make it online? All available "forensically examined" for authenticity. They use Chris Morales, and sometimes his name was proudly listed in the descriptions.

That's not all the John Lennon "autographs" they've had on their site.They've also had at least...
  • Nine signed Imagine posters (they came with the albums).
  • Three Double Fantasy albums
  • Three Mind Games albums, including one they called an English release that's actually Dutch
  • Three Two Virgins albums, also signed by Yoko
  • Four Plastic Ono Band albums, three signed by Yoko, too
  • One Imagine, Working Class Hero German release 12-inch Maxi single
  • Two Apple Records 10th Anniversary promo posters signed by ALL the Beatles
  • One And This And World War II album, signed by Lennon, McCartney and nine others
  • A Revolver, signed by all the Beatles
  • A Hard Days Night, signed by all the Beatles
  • A Help Beatles lobby card, that was later offered on page one of an American Royal Arts catalog
  • And that's just what we have.

Help! Beatles lobby card from Forever Legends' website that was later found in an American Royal Arts catalog.



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That's at least 52 albums and posters on Forever Legends' site, supposedly signed by John Lennon or more. We probably have others if we dig. All at exceptionally low prices—usually at less than 10-cents on the dollar.

All signed remarkably similarly. And in the case of the Double Fantasy albums at least, which came out in 1980, signed remarkably differently than he signed at that time. Compare those signatures to ones Lennon signed for a fan in Brazil in 1979 and 1980 in this great blog post, Lennon and Me. Lennon's autograph got shorter by the year starting the mid-1970s.

Now compare the autographs in the 52 signed items above to the ones on these "Beatles-signed" Abbey Road albums from American Royal Artsones we consider to be Southern California forgeries. All also "forensically examined" by Christopher Morales.

What do you think?

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Tags: John lennon, autographs, beatles, double fantasy, fake, forgeries, hard days night, help!, imagine, mind games, More…plastic ono band, revolver, signatures, two virgins, yoko

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on October 27, 2010 at 10:05am
Norman, I think we do. What do you call rock solid proof?

Regarding buyers, as Scott pointed out, Rock Star Gallery has one of these on their site. And Celebrites Galleries has this one:



They've been sued by over fake John Lennon drawings they sold him, and they buy from Forever Legends (as you can see) and Autograph Central.
Comment by roger epperson on October 27, 2010 at 5:10pm
Norman, on top of that; they don't even look like John Lennon's signature of any era. It's time for everyone to wake up. If you want to bury your head in the sand then buy some of these. Let us know how many you buy.
Comment by roger epperson on October 27, 2010 at 5:11pm
I get buyers calling me about these at least twice a week. Some have spent hundred's of thousands of dollars on this stuff.
Comment by scott on October 27, 2010 at 6:16pm
I spent $50,000 over a two year period. I am sure that I would have purchased atleast another $25,000 filling in the blanks. I am glad that I figured it out before I bought anymore of this stuff. I always thought that I would be able to get most of my money back if I decided to sell my autograph collection. I was a little off on the resale value of this nonsense.
Comment by Bill Panagopulos on October 29, 2010 at 10:52am
I find it amazing that so many of these pieces are signed in felt-tip pen, all nicely-centered, all with nearly identiocal signatures, and none of them inscribed. How do they find these incredibly rare items, all in pristine condition, all in quantity and at unbelieveable prices? I sure hope they consign...to my competition!
Comment by Stephen Duncan on October 29, 2010 at 1:25pm
As soon as I see one that says, "To Stephen, here is one for your collection", I'll buy it. I have no dought this one is out there too. When anyone sees it, please let me know asap.
Comment by DB on November 11, 2010 at 6:27am
Fact or Fiction from IADA? Speaking of which have you see their Collector Corner blogs lately? Filled with Porn and advertisements of about everything and anything not connected with collecting unless of course you are "special" type.


John Lennon's Last Audio Recording and Rare Autograph Revealed
Published: Friday, 5 Nov 2010 | 11:24 AM ET
By: Elizabeth Gerst

A Beatles historian has come across one of the last autographs John Lennon signed before his fatal encounter with Mark David Chapman thirty years ago.

CNBC has learned that rock historian Denny Somach will put the autograph up for sale next week. "We never thought a piece like this would be discovered," says Somach, who is also an avid collector.

CNBC obtained an image of that autograph and what is likely the last known audio recording of Lennon. (You can hear the recording later in this story).

Both have been authenticated by multiple sources, including memorabilia expert Darren Julien, President and CEO of Julien's Auctions.
Comment by J.Seah on November 22, 2010 at 10:56am
'Double Fantasy' album that Lennon signed for his killer is for sale

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/22/ny.lennon.album/index.html
Comment by Rick Brzyski on January 27, 2011 at 3:07am
Roger -- these people are just plain stupid -- you get what you pay for !!! What does a "REAL" John Lennon signature go for $3,000.00. All Authenticators make mistakes (about 5% of the time , maybe 10%), Spence, PSA, and even yourself Roger but these are legitimate mistakes. These guys and the people who authenticate this crap, make me sick. I think they should have the death penalty for these jerks. I also have a problem with auction house LOA's that are flooding the industry because people are putting in some fake stuff in with the real goods and getting away with because of the volume of the auction lot etc. This stuff with the Beatles merchandise is just amateurish and can be seen by a 5 year old if you would show them exemplars.
Comment by Stephen Duncan on March 15, 2011 at 7:36pm
I think I saw John Lennon signing more autographs............nope, my mistake.  Just more fakes on Ebay.

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