There is a big question not addressed here.
Unlike cards, you simply cannot train someone who hasn't seen and handled a LOT of autographs to be able to do autograph authentication.
My answer would depend on WHO WAS DOING THE AUTHENTICATING. If eBay hired Jim and Richard, or someone else whose opinion I trusted. I'd probably feel OK to go with eBay for some items that didn't warrant going to an auction house. But if eBay's authenticators were anonymous, I'd say screw them. They could hire someone like Morales under your scenario and what would that lead to?
Another thing that popped into my head would be that eBay, given their huge size, could do such a thing as you suggest, and offer some sort of guarantee, although doubt there would be a way to implement that without opening up a huge can of fraud.
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