Authenticity is Everything
Billie Holiday Autograph
I purchased this 78 vinyl record purportedly signed by Billie Holiday from an RACC trusted seller. I recently submitted the item to JSA for authentication, and unfortunately it did not pass.
I originally submitted it in person at a show here in CA a few weeks ago, and I was disappointed by how carelessly the item was handled during intake. When I received it back, there were fingerprints all over it. I contacted JSA immediately to report the condition, and they did expedite the review process.
Yesterday I received their letter confirming that the autograph did not pass authentication. I’m extremely disappointed and unsure what my next step should be, or if anyone here might be able to offer advice.
Prior to purchasing the item, I did my research and examined the signature characteristics—such as the looping of “Billie” and the shape of the “H” in “Holiday.” However, upon further inspection, the signature appears to have been written in ballpoint pen. Additionally, the Blue Ace label is known to be a bootleg label, and this particular pressing seems to have been released slightly before the time of her passing.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo
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That is I think 1956. Here is a July 16, 1957 signed document:
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Wolfson
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Thanks. She tends to have a couple variations specifically the “B”. Does this appear to be authentic?
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I would need to see dozens more just to start to form an opinion which might well be a guess at that point. One needs to see a LOT to ID that quickly. Especially with this name. Caution with the names Garland, Leigh. Lee, Lugosi, Holiday, Harlow and many more. What do you have for known exemplars?
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I may submit to PSA for second opinion.
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You don't have an exemplars file of her signatures? That's is essential IMO. Collecting is all education, knowing what is authentic is only the start - there is form, style, placement and contrast to name a few qualities - purchase is the final step for me.
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Yes, I’ve seen several examples, and there are different variations in how she signed. My disappointment with JSA isn’t because the autograph failed authentication, but because the way they handled the process was rather disappointing. I believe Roger Epperson could offer a professional opinion; however, his contact information appears to be outdated.
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Why not post what you have collected? Can't hurt.
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I only have this one — these are other examples all authenticated.
- Attachments: No photo uploads here
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IMG_0980.jpeg, 349 KB -
IMG_0979.jpeg, 338 KB
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IMG_0981.jpeg, 351 KB
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Can you upload as as you did the first? Images, not links. Thank you.
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It’s not letting me for some reason can I email?
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I would get some QO's from PSA and ACOA, if they still offer that service. Ballpoint pen is fine for this period. Gleason was using one before 1951. Gleason's would have been varnish based and would yellow. Later pens were better. This appears to warrant examination. Who else has seen it?
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I only submitted to JSA. ACOA I can’t reach anyone… their phone number is disconnected
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