My Take On Authenticators

There are so many authenticators now it’s hard to keep up with who is better than who. It seems to me that PSA/DNA is no longer the same company without Steve Grad. I’m not saying they aren’t experienced just that they don’t have the names we’re used to. JSA still has James Spence (Also formerly of PSA) of course but they have lost others to their own new businesses. Beckett is the new power player in the business with Steve Grad heading them up. SGC (Larry Studebaker Formerly JSA) and CAS ( Mike Root Formerly JSA and SGC) are new players as well. Right or wrong it seems resale is better currently on PSA, Beckett, And JSA but I’m not sure SGC and CAS aren’t better... They are certainly cheaper since they’re fighting for business. It will be interesting to see on the coming years if any of the big three crumble without some of their former known and reliable names and if the new guys can wedge their way into what seems to be a pretty exclusive monopoly. As for myself I always look at what I’m buying first regardless of authentication, However I think most people in this hobby (Including myself) tend to stick with what we’re comfortable with even if they’re not the same company they used to be....

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on March 28, 2018 at 5:01pm

The last 2 obviously secretarial Gleason signatures I was asked to look at were PSA stickered and auctioned by Steiner - one just 2 days ago. No bids, thankfully.

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Permalink Reply by goodcat on March 28, 2018 at 5:12pm

when you do your authenticating, do you provide a "sticker" with your services?

HA hehe

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on March 28, 2018 at 5:34pm

No, but on occasion it appears some Gerber products might be appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by goodcat on March 28, 2018 at 5:42pm

LMFAO

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on March 28, 2018 at 8:08pm

"...when you do your authenticating, do you provide a "sticker" with your services? " - goodcat53

Hey goodcat, here is an example. Had to dig it up. Where would I have stickered this one? ;)

Click for full image:

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Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on March 28, 2018 at 7:19pm

A few observations.I equate some of these authenticating outfits with a new comic book. They usually start out with a Jim Lee or Todd Mcfarlane for the first issues, but before you know it, they are gone and it turns to junk. As far as Steve Grad, I do believe he is a good authenticater, I just don't know how much time he gets to look at all that stuff. I also do believe there is too much coziness with authenticaters rubber stamping for friends and high volume sellers. In my collection which numbers in the hundreds, I might have about 10 things with a sticker. It really is all about the autograph itself and if you're not too sure, a trusted source.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on March 28, 2018 at 7:22pm

+100! It is about the autograph - so much discussion about everything but...

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Juice on March 28, 2018 at 7:39pm

AML should start issuing COAs and undercut the big guys in price AND quality. So many members are knowledgeable in particular areas that very few forgeries would slip through. Money could go to keeping the site up and running / legal fees, etc. I'd feel better buying something that has been looked at by some of the experts on this site than just one guy at Beckett for example. There is strength in numbers.