We are an eBay affiliate and may be compensated for clicks on links that result in purchases.

U2 By U2 (Again)

I originally pulled this a few days ago, when I thought that the seller might listen to reason. But it appears that he's ok duping someone out of their cash, so I consider him fair game.

Some of you probably remember this topic from last year, when one of the forum members was trying to find an authentic copy of U2 by U2 from either the New York or UK book signings. Well, I stumbled upon this last weekend:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/U2-BY-U2-AUTOGRAPHED-FIRST-EDITION-COFFEE-T...

The "autographs" he suggests look to be authentic examples from the Barnes and Noble signings in 2006 are anything but. Every book has the preprints, even though there are a couple of variations. I contacted him and told him I in fact have the EXACT same preprints (see photo of my book below). I mentioned other problems (Larry and Adam no longer sign in that manner, the books were signed on the same title page, most were personalized, ones that were sold on ebay went for hundreds of dollars, etc.). I pointed out that the way the R's look in Larry show they are not even actual pen strokes. He's STILL not convinced. I tried to help this guy out, thinking that he just didn't know enough about it. Obviously I had it all wrong. Even with the most rock solid proof available that these aren't hand-signed, he won't pull the auction. Granted, he's not stating that they're 100% authentic, but he knows that there's no question that they're not. Pretty unethical, to put it mildly.

Here's my IDENTICAL copy of the facsimile sigs:

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rich on May 25, 2012 at 9:28am

LOL, I figured you had a different view than me. I really try not to make that kind of stuff up!

And I agree with your other points. I knew it was fake before I even spotted the CC COA. I'm guessing the forger used one of the real "beautiful ebay" versions as a source, given that the inscription attempt wasn't as bad as it could have been. He gave it a better college try than many do, but royally blew it on the Bono and Clayton attempts.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on May 30, 2012 at 1:45pm

Hi Brendan. Thanks for posting. It's not our intention to be purely mean-spirited when calling out suspect items or blatant forgeries. I considered emailing you, but I was seriously drained after trying to talk that other ebay seller off the ledge.

PSA/DNA isn't a magic wand. There are plenty of items that they have pedestrian knowledge on at best. Their opinion is hardly infallible.

If you want my reasons for why I consider this a fake, they are as follows:

1) Coach's Corner is a renowned source of pure garbage. I believe you would be hard-pressed to find anything authentic on that website. There's a reason they're banned from ebay.

2) The signer took decent shots at Edge and Larry, but the Bono and Adam Clayton signatures are pretty awful. Bono has a tendency to go off on crazy tangents with some of his signatures, but this still looks fake. I think the Clayton is the biggest dead giveaway,

3) I assume the idea here is that the book was signed at the NY Barnes & Noble signing. Perhaps this is a somewhat minor point, but the signatures are on the wrong title page. Every authentic example of the signed book I've seen has been signed on the second title page (a photo of the band from the Vertigo Tour should be on the left, NOT the facsimile signatures).

4) Another minor point, but still a consideration. Larry began identifying obvious ebay sellers from true fans by signing a cross next to/below his signature. Bono would usually write a snarky ebay related comment upon seeing Larry's signal. There is no such mark next to Larry's autograph.

Maybe Roger Epperson can also offer an opinion. I can also submit this example to the U2 Eastlink group, who have a group of fans/collectors devoted to U2 graphs to see whether they think this has any shot at being possibly authentic. I would be surpised if any of them thought so.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Trapper9990 on May 30, 2012 at 4:10pm

I agree completely with Richard. Before i bought an authentic example of The Edge, i studied the groups autographs fairly well because i initially thought of buying the whole group. And the Adam looks very bad to me. PSA does make some big mistakes. If you really want to be sure id get Roger Eppersons opinion. Or you could take up Richard on his offer with the eastlink U2 group. They will be able to tell you for sure. Sorry but the item is not genuine

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on June 4, 2012 at 11:32am

This is one of my favorites forgeries by a very stupid forger. They apparently also used an authentic signed copy of the U2 by U2 book as a template, but used it to forge a drumhead. Real sharp.

http://www.antiquitiesca.biz/all-memorabilia/u2-band-signed-drumhead

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by DB on May 30, 2012 at 3:49pm

Till now, seller has ended the item and the coach's commode coa is no longer visible. If there is a PSA Likely Opinion, then I might suggest it be completely posted as the COA as w/o it if the item were reposted it could run into a headwind and be removed by EBAY.

and as far as being on the "losing side" - there is always a first time for everyone.