Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 24, 2011 at 10:54pm

It probably hasn't been authenticated yet. They use either PSA/DNA or JSA, and Heritage puts the lots online for them to authenticate from and they look no different than authenticated lots. I wish they wouldn't.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 25, 2011 at 8:44am

Please do. This situation came up on a boxing autograph, and as I recall Heritage wrote back that they put the lots online for the authenticators to authenticate from before the auction is open for bidding, and then remove any item that doesn't pass the auction review of whatever service they use. At the time I thought it was JSA.

At the time they already listed it as being pre-approved by JSA, because the lots are written up before they're posted. So you had a questionable autograph being listed as having been approved, even though it hadn't been examined. That's not the case here?

Put up a link to the lot please.

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Permalink Reply by mc on May 25, 2011 at 10:41am

i agree greg,it dont look good to me

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 25, 2011 at 10:58am

This is listed as an auction preview for an auction not open for bidding until July 10. While they don't say it hasn't been authenticated yet they say:

"We are continuing to add and correct information as we approach the auction posting date, so check back here often. Contact us with any comments or suggestions."

I think you and Mike are right that it's likely not genuine. They should be clearer when things haven't been authenticated yet, but I don't think they did anything wrong or are being irresponsible--they say info will be corrected, and the auction isn't open for bidding for six weeks.

I like that you posted it but I think the title is inaccurate, since they're still examining it--just publicly. What about a different title to be fairer to them? Up to you.

Hope you drop them a line about the piece, like they invite people to do. Point them to this discussion.

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Permalink Reply by mc on May 25, 2011 at 12:08pm

there are too many hendrix forges coming out of the woodwork,just like the beatles but much worse...

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 25, 2011 at 3:28pm

Thanks for changing the title.

I'll bet this piece belonged to a collector who had it for a while. Doesn't the forger's writing look familiar but not as polished as today? Plus the "Cool" mistake.

Good catch, my friend.

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Permalink Reply by john reznikoff on May 25, 2011 at 3:13pm

I sent a link to this blog to the top person at heritage who responded back within minutes that they would remove it immediately. They are among the best in the biz when it comes to this sort of thing.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on May 25, 2011 at 3:30pm

True. I think having things online early is GREAT as long as they say whether or not it's been authenticated yet. It opens the door to the backroom...really educational.

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Permalink Reply by Garry Shrum on May 25, 2011 at 5:26pm

We GREATLY appreciate the feedback and we will be showing the item to third party experts before this auction opens for bidding.  As Mr. Cyrkin noted earlier in the thread, we post items for preview as we receive and process our consignments.  We value your observations and continued contributions to the collecting market, and we thank everyone who posted in this thread for bringing this to our attention. 

Best,

Garry Shrum

Consignment Director, Heritage Auctions

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