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 on
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Who else? Anyone we might know of?
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Wolfson on
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No one knows for sure. JSA has failed signatures even signed in person. It’s all a gamble
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That is why knowledge is so useful. IMHO, it is not "all a gamble" when you know the table and count the cards, or at least try to.
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Obviously, I hope it is but it would take a lot more to convince me than a few scans. I am skeptical when it comes to names like this. The demand far outweighs the supply...
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I’m trying to reach Roger Epperson — he would know
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I saw this at RR - from the ink color, period, size and dedication, this might well be a Francis and Violet Zane item.
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She had different variations.
I would like a professional opinion on the autograph, but I obviously don’t want to waste my time submitting it to PSA or Beckett after JSA’s opinion. I agree with the red flags you mentioned; however, the lettering appears identical to other examples of her signature.
Yes, Blue Ace was a bootleg label, but it was apparently signed at the Continental Room in Hawaii. A setlist from that same show reportedly sold at auction for $10,000. That said, the ink on my piece doesn’t appear vintage either, which gives me pause. I’m just not sure what to make of it at this point.
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this was $6,188 at RR 6 years ago. Who sold it recently?
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Permalink Reply by Findbooks on
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Notwithstanding the fact that it is easier to say "No" to a difficult autograph then to say "Yes", I can see a couple of problems with this example which would have made me keep my wallet in my pocket.
I don't see too much hesitancy overall but the "journey" appears to me to be slow and contrived. The drop from the H to the rest of the surname makes no sense. Had it continued straight it would have been more visible and clearer than the final result. The signer has made a decision to follow that path but why?
Look at the flourish at the "y". To me it looks slowly drawn and does not flow, Is that a stop and start? It could just be a natural skip - a difficult surface to write upon with a ballpoint pen? - but it looks dodgy, somehow.
There is a lot of variation in other exemplars, yes. I don't doubt some these are also questionable but there is a very recognizable shape to her signature and i.m.o. this does not have it.
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I appreciate your insight. Please take a look at the following photos.
The book appears quite similar to mine, though it has significantly more space that could have been used. It shares many of the same characteristics.
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This particular variation was authenticated by Roger Epperson. To me it looks nearly identical to the record.
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Finally, here is mine without background for closer observation. Thank you again
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