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An Elvis for sale by Graceland --but not real?

I was browsing on Ebay yesterday, looking around the upcoming Elvis memorabilia auction being conducted by Graceland under the auspices of their "Graceland Authenticated" appraisal service, and found this:  

epgr_12.JPG 

The inscription is on a 1975 tour promotional photo. 

Here's the full listing:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elvis-Presley-Signed-and-Inscribed-1975-Sou...

It's a good example of an Elvis signature --but not by Presley himself.  It has numerous features indicative of a secretarial proxy signature... The smoother flow, the separation of the "P" from the "s", and the glaringly obvious large, loopy "y" at the end that almost appears like a fat, cursive "g".   

Examples of proxies like this show up all the time, and are usually the result of an item that had been mailed to Graceland by a fan in hopes that Elvis could sign it, which he only periodically did, while the bulk of the requests were filled by his secretarial staff...This is more than clearly one of them.   (Side note-- these items are not coming from Graceland's own collection, rather they're from private collectors who have arranged their listings to be part of the auction)   And unfortunately, as years go by and these make it to market, it's also obvious many of the owners who obtained them have gone all this time actually thinking they got back a true Presley signature.

What I'm really puzzled by is how this slipped by the estate's own authenticators, especially given the fact that in this same auction there are numerous genuine samples that show how starkly different this one is; even a non-expert could pick this out ...yet here it is, being offered with a start bid of $1,500 and their estimate of value at $3,000 - $5,000.   

Just putting this out there for thoughts, and to see if anyone knows who Graceland commissions to do their evaluations --it likely isn't Mr. Epperson or Mr. Consola --they'd laugh this off, I'm sure.   

How sad is it that the people responsible for conserving Elvis' own estate would allow an error this clear to take place?  

Tags: Ebay, Elvis, Graceland, autograph

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Upside on August 10, 2015 at 3:55pm

To me that one looks genuine.

Usually the Euro fakes have the year in quotes.  Although they also use the same style of signature.  I am 98% certain this one is legit.

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 10, 2015 at 4:05pm

Someone asked me about it and I'm not good enough on Bakker's work to catch it reliably. 

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on August 10, 2015 at 4:02pm

Steve,

this doesn't look like the typical Hans Bakker forgery style.

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 10, 2015 at 4:12pm

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 10, 2015 at 4:17pm

I just found these phone numbers at the bottom of Graceland Auction's Auction Rules PDF, if anyone wants to give them a call:

13.  For additional information regarding these Terms and Conditions of Sale, or any other matter relevant to this auction, please contact: Auction A Circle, LLC, 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, (901) 332-3322 or 800-238-2010, fax (901) 344-3101 or email at bid@graceland.com. Telephone inquiries may be made between 9am and 5pm CT, Monday – Friday.

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on August 10, 2015 at 4:36pm

It would be valuable for members who know Elvis's autograph well to assemble a list of any in the auction that they all strongly believe are not genuine.

Permalink Reply by Paul on August 10, 2015 at 5:16pm
I just dropped into my framers to make sure I wasn't looking at the same guitar and it's still in the shop.
Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on August 10, 2015 at 5:47pm

Steve, I tried this once before, and just tried it again.  I may be too cynical about Elvis autographs, but it appears to me that there are more forgeries and/or questionable items, then there are no-doubters.  it might be easier to post the ones that are authentic.

Permalink Reply by Timothy on August 11, 2015 at 2:13pm
Permalink Reply by Patricia Cibiak on August 11, 2015 at 2:32pm

***Hello again, all -- Some substantial breaking news ***The Auction has been "all shook up" **

It appears that a significant number of the signed pieces have been withdrawn from the auction, as of sometime today. 

http://auction.graceland.com/Category/Autographs-15.html

Gone are Lots # 9, 16, 58, 69, 109, 112, 151, and 159.  

From what I can tell, the more authentic-looking ones remain.  My guess is they've either had them re-analyzed by more trained eyes, or are about to and aren't taking chances, given the auction goes live in 2 days. 

However, they all still show on the EBay page for now, so you can at least see what exactly was pulled.  

http://www.ebay.com/clt/collectibles-live-events/the-auction-at-gra...

One thing I was going to ask anyway was how or when Rich Consola or Roger Epperson were going to weigh in on this whole thing -- or maybe they were consulted by a wisened-up Graceland (?) 

For Steve Cyrkin:

Steve, you made some good points in your earlier posts, but I would disagree with you on one big thing - If anything, being difficult to authenticate should not be an issue for the Presley estate to begin with.  After all, they have access to originals and copies of Elvis' writing that are rock-solid genuine, on not just autographs but also personal documents and letters -- it should be easier for them than anyplace on Earth to simply pull good samples and compare.  Plus, they likely have samples of secretarial staff's work as well - again, easy-peasy... go the archives on site and compare those too.  Or for that matter, some of Elvis' former office staff may still be around to confer with in person.... no rocket science needed.   I don't even work for them but I know that's how I would've handled this!   One thing is certain -there must be a number of stunned sellers right now, especially if some of them truly thought they had good pieces all along.

Anyway, kudos to whoever for doing the right thing by the King!  

Permalink Reply by Paul on August 11, 2015 at 2:34pm
Did they pull that guitar?
Permalink Reply by Upside on August 11, 2015 at 2:46pm

Guitar withdrawn but that bad signed army cap is still sitting there.  Terrible.

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