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The alarming and growing trend of high priced third-party authenticators

Hello to all. I am a long time collector of rock autographs (started in 1988) but am new to this forum stuff. Anyway, I spent a hour or so today reading a thread on here regarding fakes and who sells forgeries and who doesn't, etc. and I found it very disconcerting. I have purchased autographs in the past 25 years from many dealers including Tom Platt, R & R, Blake Levine, Joe Long, Roger Epperson, Myron Ross and others. I don't claim to be an expert but after 25 years or research, collecting and study, I do think my own knowledge and opinion of what I collect is pretty solid. What concerns me is that the blog implies that unless the autograph has been given a 'blessing' by Mr. Epperson or PSA, it's highly unlikely that it's real. Really?? Well, in a phone conversation a few years ago, Mr Epperson told me that he has never once seen a real Prince autograph. Yet, if you look up the sold history on R&R's website, you will see that they have sold Prince items. Does that mean that R&R sold forgeries?? This is just one example. Almost ever dealer I've bought from, with the sole exception of Mr. Epperson, was referred to in this blog as a crook or worse.

I do know this: these self-appointed third party authenticators are now controlling the hobby and must be raking in money faster than they can count it. Think about it...

What are your thoughts on this??

1 member likes this

Comment by BallroomDays67 on July 23, 2013 at 9:15pm: And while Ross has recently lost his "top rated seller" status, he's still going strong on eBay. Amazingly, he hasn't received any negative or even neutral feedback over the past 12 months. While eBay feedback is designed to protect the buyer, it sometimes builds upon itself.

Comment by Bob Salvati on July 23, 2013 at 9:52pm: I know that I've bought good stuff and bad stuff of Myron Ross....Live and learn..

Comment by Bob Salvati on July 23, 2013 at 10:11pm: Steve - I know that I've bought good stuff and bad stuff off of Myron Ross and Tom Platt ... Live and learn. When you're an inexperienced collector you're an easy target. I hope and I know that I've learned a few things in 25 years.

That being said, I would not recommend this hobby to anyone. Given the way the hobby is nowadays,..the fakes, the uncertainty, the TPA $$... No way... I used to enjoy the hobby...not any more.

Sorry to say...

Comment by S. Maxwell on July 28, 2013 at 7:19pm: Alright, I've got to jump in here. First, great topic and one that deserves an open discussion here for sure. I have my own feelings about 3rd party authentication and most of it is NOT positive. But what is making me put my own 2 cents in here is the Prince comments by that Carl guy.

FACT #1) Prince was NEVER a 'reliable' signer, as in 'stop him on the street and he'll sign some s***'.

FACT #2) Prince was DEFINITELY not a signer AT ALL 15 years ago. The last known 'signatures' from Prince were at in stores he did in 93 and 94. And I put 'signature' in quotes because all he did was draw the o(+> symbol at both signings. The only time he signed before that was in 88 and then he only wrote 'P'.

So no one has a 'Prince' signature proper (with his full name) that was obtained in person in the last 25 years. NO ONE (unless it was on a business contract of course). Trust me, it is absolutely out of the question. For Carl to suggest that 'exemplars' are so easy to find, it shows his knowledge (of at least this artist) is absolutely non existent.

Prince does NOT SIGN AUTOGRAPHS. Period. He doesn't 'believe in that kind of thing'. For every other artist, even the 'impossible' ones like Page or Clapton, there is still that 1% chance here and there, but there is no 'will he or won't he' with Prince. Don't even waste your time.He isn't a 'difficult' signer, he just DOES NOT sign and hasn't signed for fans for 20 years now.

So if Carl's supposed 'extensive Prince catalog' contains any signatures that were supposedly obtained in the last 20 years...they are crap. And if they contain more than the symbol or a P and are from the last 25 years they are also crap. Sorry, but this is the truth. This is not a 'dealers' opinion but someone who knows his Prince s*** right down to the ground.

Comment by David W on August 2, 2013 at 10:13am: I know that I've bought good stuff and bad stuff from Myron Ross >>

Bob - I'd double check on the "good stuff" - My own opinion is anything he offers over $50......

Comment by J. Patel on August 13, 2013 at 12:08pm: Myron Ross has many authentic items. He gets autographs at shows and also has great deals on signed checks. I bought a Van Williams signed contract for a Danny Thomas special for $50 which is a great price.

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