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Real Authenticators or just collectors?

Hoping to find out if there are any actual authenticators on this site that actually help to verify authenticity and forgeries, or are we all just collectors that have an opinion? Thanks

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Permalink Reply by James on September 7, 2019 at 6:59pm

Yes, there are some professional authenticators that are members here.

And then there many advanced, experienced collectors who are every bit as competent in certain areas as any “professional” authenticators like PSA/DNA, JSA, or Beckett.

In fact, we actually have some members here who are, in my opinion, better with certain autographs than anyone at PSA, JSA, or Beckett.

One member named Kamran, from the UK, is truthfully better at Madonna autographs than anyone at the previously named third-party authenticators. I would go to him for opinions on Madonna autographs over PSA or JSA any day, everyday. He’s an advanced, extremely knowledgeable Madonna collector of over 20 years. His Madonna collection is very large.

Then, for Michael Jackson autographs, one of our moderators, Wascher, is as good with Michael Jackson autographs than anyone you will find among so-called “professionals”. She has spent probably hundreds of hours studying MJ autographs. She has a vast personal database of exemplars, and she has outed several Michael Jackson forgers, and she has many exemplars of their forgeries. A woman here named Lizzie is also extremely knowledgeable regarding MJ autographs.

And for Space and Astronauts autographs, member Steve Zarelli is in fact a professional authenticator.

Much of the time here, the opinions here are backed by more knowledge and experience than you can find almost anywhere.

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Permalink Reply by James on September 7, 2019 at 7:33pm

Music authenticator Roger Epperson is also a member, although he doesn’t comment very often. Herman Darvick, a professional in presidential autographs, is a member and comments occasionally.

Also, Andreas Weimer (hope I spelled his name correctly) from Germany is a member and professional authenticator in John F. Kennedy autographs.

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Permalink Reply by Mrs. Adams on September 7, 2019 at 11:33pm

Thank you. I wish I would've known about this website years ago. It would've saved me from buying forgeries. It's so hard to know what is legit or not. After looking through some of the discussions here today, it looks like a couple items I bought in the past are most likely forgeries. I do have some other items in storage that were handed down to me, I will try to verify soon.

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Permalink Reply by James on September 8, 2019 at 12:50am

Well, let’s hope for the best. Perhaps they are authentic. You can always post pictures here, and see what opinions you get.

The names I mentioned above are, aa I said previously, very knowledgeable. I wouldn’t have time to list all the great people on this site. And I certainly have to note the owner of this site, Mr. Steve Cyrkin, without whom none of these discussions would be possible.

Also, if you’ve got questions concerning David Bowie autographs, you might want to reach out to Eric Keith Longo.

Our fellow member, Ballroom, is excellent with Beatles items. And there are very many knowledgeable Beatles collectors here.

And for sports autographs, among other things, Terrier and Christopher Williams are fantastic.

And Tim G. is awesome with AC/DC and other music groups.

And there’s Joe W. for various celebrity autographs, and Mike Shepherd for Star Wars autographs.

Anyway...you get the idea. ;0)

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on September 8, 2019 at 5:18am

I believe Mrs. Adams joined this site initially as Naomi Adams.

She was seller of the below forgeries. They sold for $500.00.

They are "authenticated" by that incompetent Stephen Rocchi of Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators and I will continue to expose the garbage he has "authenticated."

Incompetence or scam!!!!

The thousands of people (not true collectors) who have fallen for this crappy "authentication" company is beyond my comprehension.

https://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/ebay-seller-naomie3...

Then she changed her name to this:

https://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/ebay-seller-selling...

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Permalink Reply by Mrs. Adams on September 8, 2019 at 5:52am

I’m not wasting my time explaining myself to someone who apparently holds a grudge for anyone who might make a mistake in a department many people are unfamiliar with. I am trying my best to educated myself about this in order to avoid future mistakes. I am hoping this site will help. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on September 8, 2019 at 6:05am

I don't hold a grudge against you, Mrs. Adams.

But you can't write that you didn't sell those "500 Homerun Club" forgeries, when in fact, you did.

They sold for $500.00 and the buyer left you positive feedback.

As for your other "Mantle" that, too, is a forgery.

We welcome your participation here, Mrs. Adams.

The people that I do have deep disdain for are Stephen Rocchi (GFA), Drew Max (AAU), Christopher "I Never Saw An Autograph I Didn't Like" Morales, Ted Taylor (Stat Authentic/TTA) and numerous others who have taken advantage of the FACT that the majority of people who buy autographs, have zero knowledge of autographs.

They impress the aforementioned people with a decorative COA and then they brag about their "forensic skills."

It's all BS!!!!

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on September 8, 2019 at 6:19am

Here is the screenshot showing that it sold for $500.00.

You had a "Buy It Now" of $850.00 and accepted a "Best Offer" of $500.00.

You may have to click the below image to get a closer view.

And below is a screenshot of the buyer's Feedback.

Click on the below image to get a closer view.

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Permalink Reply by CJCollector on September 8, 2019 at 8:49am

Mrs. Adams, since you have been informed they are forgeries, are you going to contact the buyer and have them return the piece so that you can refund their money?

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Permalink Reply by James on September 8, 2019 at 11:44pm

Mrs Adams, Christopher is one of the best members here in the fight against lowlife forgers and con artists. Anyone who knowingly sells forgeries is not welcome on this website. I’m pretty sure Steve C. would agree.

Now that’s not to say that’s you. Looking at your relatively small inventory of items, it doesn’t look like your primary business is autograph sales. At least from what I can tell. Therefore, I think it’s believable that you may not have purposely sold these two forgeries with foreknowledge. Just know that anytime you have an item with a COA from any one of the shady characters that Christopher mentioned, it’s highly likely a fake.

This site can definitely help you in your previously implied goal to avoid buying forgeries, and I would guess...to avoid selling such forgeries to buyers on eBay...or anywhere for that matter.

So now that it’s been brought to your attention that you have sold two forgeries, the ball is in your court. In order to continue getting advice and opinions from the many knowledgeable members here, it would probably be a good idea if you notified your buyers that you now believe that you unknowingly sold them autographs that are in fact fake. And then offer them the opportunity to return the items to you for a full refund.

If you do that, I think Christopher and others here would think highly of you, and you will be able to get future opinions that will help you a lot. Personally, I know this site has saved me a great deal of money over the past five years.