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Let's play you be the authenticator. Paul McCartney.

It's a thankless job being an authenticator. They provide an important service and have become quite influential in the hobby. But sometimes their professional opinions baffle me. Most of all, their final decisions can greatly determine the market value of any given autograph. Like getting a blessing from the Pope.

Here are two examples of a Paul McCartney signature. One passed authentication and the other did not. Same company. Different result. I'm old and my eye sight is as good as it used to be. Can you see a significant different between the two signatures?

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Look at what just turned up on eBay. It’s hard to believe that this could have passed all of the criteria listed on your rejection letter.

I've never seen anything like that.

It’s a known forgery style in my opinion.

You may be right about it being a style of forgery.  When I said I have never seen anything like that, I meant it really floors me that it was actually given a certification as real.

Maybe others will comment on it specifically.

I don't think it good either.

As I said at the beginning of this discussion that getting a signature authenticated by a recognized TPA is like getting a blessing from the Pope. Even if a person has no intention to sell immediately it does protect one's investment.

It makes a big difference to the vast majority of collectors. Would that autograph have sold for that price without TPA documentation? Likely not. 

Just this morning I had an email from a collector who is interested in a higher end autograph I have listed on eBay.  The only question they had was if I had a PSA or other third party letter.

That is the way it is for the vast majority of collectors. I certainly understand why. TPA services can make or break an autograph; especially big dollar items.

If you sell on eBay it's virtually mandatory. For instance, if I ever decided to list my signed ticket on eBay it would likely be banned without papers. 

I have sold a relatively small amount on eBay.  One my few higher end items did not pass third party authentication after the buyer had received it and submitted it.  He contacted me and informed me but said he loved the piece and actually it did not matter since he himself believed it real.

That's the only issue I have had regarding autographs that I have sold.

Some collectors also seem to put a lot of trust in some auction houses, even when the item isn’t pre-certed. I’ve seen items that I seriously doubt would pass any reputable TPA sell for a lot more than that Macca, as they were accepted by a particular auction house.

The Beckett slabbed signature just sold for over $1700. 

Update. It's been a long journey. March 3, 2017 was the first day I held this autograph in my hand. I wanted it to get properly authenticated. There was a few bumps along the road for sure. But, I did believe the autograph was signed by Paul's hand.

Finally, I decided to give ACOA an opportunity to evaluate it. And it now has a full authentication Letter of Authenticity issued by them. My gratitude goes to the entire ACOA team of experts who took their time to properly authenticate it. I especially want to thank Justin who was there to patiently answer my questions and inquiries.

All is well that ends well. 

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