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Warnings in the NASCAR hobby. Now is the time to....

BEWARE!!! It seems that many "collectors" are dumping collections of old die-cast cars, trading cards, and driver postcards / photos & Magazines at this time. What appears to be a growing trend is that some of these sellers are forging signatures ( or they bought the items already signed wit ha forgery and didn't know ) onto these older items in hopes of drawing interest.

DON'T be fooled by these older ( vintage ) NASCAR collectibles that are signed. Understanding the evolution of a NASCAR Driver's signature is a VERY specific skill.

For those of you that are new to the hobby...PLEASE realize that many drivers don't sign the same type of autograph that they did years ago. for example, Dale Earnhardt Jr used to sign his FULL name on every item. Around the year 1999, he changed over to signing Dale Jr. full time, around 2003, it changed again and so on.

A Jeff Gordon NASCAR Autograph from 1991-1995 has a much different look to the signature than it does now. Even as late as this year, Jeff's signature pattern is changing. He has MANY signature patterns that flow from his pen. This takes a well trained eye and knowledge of these variations to determine authenticity.

At this time I am working on a database of signature comparasons for this site. Until then, please realize that there are many older items on the market at this time that contain a forgeries. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

PLEASE feel free to contact me at anytime to show me any item(s) you are looking to buy. I will gladly give you a FREE review and help you decide if the item(s) are legit. If they are not legit, I will make sure the seller is made aware and that the item(s) are removed from the market.

Don't be scared away from buying older NASCAR autographed items. Remember, NASCAR has ALWAYS been the #1 autograph friendly sport. There are MILLIONS of authentic items floating around out there. With the right eye, you may just find some VERY special signed vintage items. As the Hall of Fame becomes a reality, the search for vintage signed items will become more popular. This is the best time to collect autographs from every NASCAR legend~~

I look forward to helping all of you!

Brandon

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Comment by michael bartow on November 12, 2009 at 10:29am: easy thing to do is take a photo if possible of the person signing and guess what the autograph is authentic. I've sold stuff on ebay and include a photo showing that the autograph is authentic and I have yet to have somebody write back and say you sold me a fake. yeah I'm taking a risk for the simple fact that somebody could have somebody forge a name but the odds since my camera shots are close ups of the item usually deter people from forging stuff and use my photo's. soemtimes the item I have selling are the cheaper cars anyway and I have not seen to many out there with my photo's and I'm on ebay almost weekly. what gets me though is that some sellers use the same photo over and over again for the stuff that they are selling and could like you said sell a fake and nobody would know. I can understand maybe one autograph 2 at most but when the seller says Oh this guy signed for me 4-5 times at the same place makes me wonder if they are real. Usually kurt will sign 2 things but if your at the end of the line he will sign 3 max items which I have had done but I cant see kurt signing 4-5 at his hauler on sunday since he has other obligations to do that day.
Side note regarding the Dale and Jeff signings dale Jr and jeff have now a halogram when they sign something since like you said they are the most easy to have done as a fake. Jeff will sign and yes I have a hero card and diecast but I try and take a photo since they were not done at a proper autograph session and wont have that hologram. however, if you have a camera around take it since it cost alot more to send away to get authenticated then to have a walmart develope a camera.

Comment by Jim Bolden Sr on November 12, 2009 at 1:01pm: SUPER that we have someone around to help us out!!
It's a real shame that there are PPL out there that ruin it for others.
When it comes to ebay I watch feedback and won't buy from anyone with less than 100%.
I'm sure that anyone with 100% FB if they were dishing fakes woulda been exposed.
Granted not a guaranteed method but without someone like yourself to call on it was the best I had.

Very much looking forward to your database and your keen helpful eye.

Comment by Brandon Mysinger on November 12, 2009 at 1:04pm: Well, you have it somewhat right..HOWEVER, Gordon and JR do NOT give out holograms for items signed trackside...They litterally signed Hundreds and in casees thousands of autographs every week-end. In the pits, with the right connections, a person can get 10-15 items from drivers like Jr and Gordon. It has been that way for the last 22 years that I have been doing just that.

Photos are goo but they are not solid proof that the driver signed the exact item. That's why it's simply best to know ALL forms and variations of the driver's signatures.

If you are getting aoutgrapphs at the scheduled signings, then you will be more limited.

There are LOTS of good dealers on ebay with links to drivers. Don't fret about that.

Comment by Brandon Mysinger on November 12, 2009 at 1:07pm: Jim, look deeper than the feedback..Some sellers of authentic items may have been cursed with a bad buyer who left a negative for reasons other than authenticity.

It's best just to either know or ask an expert..that way you can find good stuff at great prices.

Comment by michael bartow on November 12, 2009 at 7:44pm: I guess that I didn't really clarify with the hologram thing. usually Jr if he is selling anything with his autograph on it he has a hologram that goes with it. he did it when he did those cars back in 07 I think when he opened Jr motorsports. it was signed Dale Jr and next to it was a halogram that the buyer could log into and validate the autograph. I know jeff I think has the same thing going since I have seen a guy selling a piece on ebay that has it. he must work for dupont in Delaware or know somebody since he did have a card also that said good for 1 item to get signed by the driver. I know Jr and jeff sign for alot of people but atleast with the halogram its a start in the right direction to say hey atleast the autograph is real and not a possible fake.

Comment by Brandon Mysinger on November 12, 2009 at 7:54pm: actually the Holograms are totally wrong...They are nothing mut marketing ploys. Jeff charges a fee for items listed on the registry. Also, the hologramsgo ON the autograph...They are not common at all and it's FAR more important that you know the various signature pattterns of each driver when it relates to in-person signatures. I would say that you have passed up a LOT of authentic items because you are too narrow in your views. I have been around these guys for a LOOOONG time.. there simply is a LOT of material out there that is real to be had. the hologram programs died a quick death and are now used simply as a marketing tool.

Comment by Jim Jacobs on February 18, 2010 at 3:06pm: Brandon, you're right. A person's signature, to a point always goes through an evolution...classic case being the Jeff Gordon's 1992 TRAKS A-7 "Autograph Series" with the image of Gordon's mustachioed face adorned with "Jeff Gordon #1" in black ink. Compare that signature to the current one Gordon utilizes now, and it's more decisive, slanted....a big change from the 1992 autograph...in my opinion, that is.

Comment by Brandon Mysinger on February 18, 2010 at 3:16pm: Jim, The Jeff gordon signature study that will be published in this magazine will show Jeff's signature variations from 1991-2009