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PSA Autograph Grading - Legit or Gimmick? Adds value or insignificant?

I have a Marlon Brando Autograph that graded a Gem Mint 10 - This is what PSA states regarding their Autograph Grading Service:

The Overall Approach

As a general reminder, the basis of autograph grading really comes down to the degree of strength and weakness within the signature, with an emphasis on eye-appeal and presentation.

GEM-MT 10: Gem Mint. A PSA Gem Mint 10 autograph is a virtually perfect autograph. Attributes include bold writing with the absence of skipping or retracing by the original signer or otherwise. In addition, the autograph must be strong and clear for that particular signer. For example, if a genuine Mickey Mantle autograph is bold but seems rushed or slightly uncharacteristic in formation (though genuine) it may not receive a Gem Mint 10 grade. A PSA Gem Mint 10 autograph must not only be aesthetically beautiful in terms of placement but it must also be representative of the common/traditional autograph patterns of that person.

Tags: Brando, Marlon, PSA, authentication, autograph, grading

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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on August 28, 2014 at 7:37am

Full retail here in beautiful Westport, CT is $14,999. I have had it as low as $13,500 and I am open to serious offers that I can bring to the partners.

It is also on ebay with a Best Offer option, and I would do my absolute best for members here if they were interested.

I am not sure if the magic "10" would be placed on this piece as the photo itself does show it's age. The crisp blue fountain ink signature is better than any I have seen. There are some spots throughout the photo, a larger scan is available if anyone cares. It is 8x10 and was identified via some online searching as a George Burke photograph. He was one of the biggest sports photographers of the day.

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Permalink Reply by David S on August 28, 2014 at 8:47am

It should grade a 10...the below 8x10 graded a 10 from PSA/DNA and sold at Goldin's recent Ruth auction for $13,035 including BP.

http://goldinauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=10959

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Permalink Reply by In Person Graph Getter on August 28, 2014 at 11:41am

Half the stuff out there certified by PSA is fake crap. I wouldn't give PSA one cent. All I've heard is nightmare stories.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on August 28, 2014 at 1:47pm

I agree with Steve and Ryan, but David makes a good point about the quantity of items that have been signed by Babe Ruth that have not been personalized. I suppose it simply depends on the collector's preference. What are you so angry about In Person Graph Getter?

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Permalink Reply by Bradford on August 28, 2014 at 1:54pm

Half the stuff??? I hardly believe that. As to whether or not there is legitimacy in autograph grading with the consideration that PSA is just trying to make a buck off of a gimmick....I might can understand being angry. However, it doesn't invalidate work that the company has done holistically.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on August 28, 2014 at 2:04pm

Some autograph dealers are simply unforgiving if and when their items fail PSA inspections.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 28, 2014 at 3:06pm

In Person Graph Getter,

You said in another discussion that you've personally met Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder and that they have better signatures than most people alive. Wonder was born blind and Charles was completely blind by 7, and all he was known to be able to do is crudely print his name.

http://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/psa-autograph-gradin...

You offered to produce an example or examples of Ray Charles that you said you got in person, but when I asked you to do so, you didn't respond.

A lot of people don't like third party authentication, but I'm concerned that you're here with an agenda to confuse visitors.

I urge members to look at Graph Getter's other contributions to our site when considering what he says.

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Permalink Reply by David S on August 28, 2014 at 4:35pm

Back to the original topic at hand...something that I don't think has been brought up yet...but what about when an autograph degrades after being graded? If you for some reason decide to display that Marlon Brando in a frame (with no UV glass) in direct sunlight, in a couple years it will no longer be a "10".....yet you will still have a piece of paper that says it's a "10" !

I can understand grading cards & coins and then encapsulating them....but something like an autograph that can degrade significantly is a bit odd...and many of these graded autographs aren't encapsulated, at least from my understanding.

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Permalink Reply by Bradford on August 28, 2014 at 7:52pm

While that is true, the same can be said about slabbed items as well. Can't they be dropped? Which brings us the fact of why they are slabbing autographed items too. Nevertheless, the graded comics, cards, etc. can still be defaced. That is why you never check your brains at the door....not even for JSA, PSA, R&R, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Dane on August 30, 2014 at 6:34pm

My guess is that people would take a similar path as is done with coin grading and post-grade oxidation/hydration. If the change is significant enough to a point where the grade might no longer be applicable, coin collectors will become less interested in the piece.

I can only assume the same would apply for a signature.

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Permalink Reply by David S on August 31, 2014 at 9:36pm

I think you're right about the more experienced collector...but your typical ebay buyer (who would buy anything with a "COA") may see a "10" score and not even look at the signature...but i guess that's their fault!