Warning: Disturbing Autograph "Authentication" Material!

[Leon]

I am not an autograph collector but obviously deal with a lot of folks who are. Here are a few random thoughts I have come up with pertaining to this thread.

1. I can't help but every time I see a Nash article think of the hot water he is in and alleged fraud he has committed. If I am not mistaking there is still an outstanding (large) judgement against him and a civil bench warrant for his arrest. Kind of like Sandusky lecturing on child abuse. That being said I do applaud his work in trying to uncover fraud in the hobby...but I can't help wondering the motive.

2. The quick opinions from TPA's don't seem to be worth the paper they are written on, from what I am reading.

3. TPA's and LOA's don't guarantee anything except an invoice for TPA services.

4. Lastly, I do understand "experience" but I don't think it's right to call into question someone's age in this argument. Casey is an adult and he is putting his money where his mouth is in this hobby. Many of the people who yell the loudest have the least vested interest. Casey isn't one of those guys.

Now back to the card side....at least things are civil over there.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Leon

...
Now back to the card side....at least things are civil over there.

As in 'civil war'.

[HRBAKER]

Good points Leon, especially #1. Assuming the worst as far as a motive, it doesn't make the information any less damning IMO if true.

The reality is this, the only thing that is certain to me about a TPA LOA is that the item is likely to be more "liquid" in today's hobby.
And that my friends is a result of marketing more than anything IMO.

[RickGallway]

Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone.

edited due to identity issue...(leon)

[slidekellyslide]

I already warned this side about swearing...please stop it.

As far as Pete Nice goes, I think what he is doing now is admirable, but I can't help but think this is all about taking others down with him. As long as he's taking down the bad element I can go with that.

[Caseyatbat]

First off, Leon Thank you very much, that is very much appreciated. And now second, as for you "Rick", why are you even still talking? Your last post said it all, you said - "I don't collect autographs or know anything about them" At this point Rick, you are wasting everybody's time. And I no longer want to respond back to your foolishness. How are you going to sit there and tell me what is authentic and what is not when you do not have any experience at all to base it off? zero experience and you were the first one to admit it to us. Honestly, why are you even involving yourself in this thread? The rest of us involved in this discussion actually care about the hobby. You are just posting stupid ridiculous things hoping to piss somebody off. What is this your day off work today?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by RickGallway

Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone.

So what you are saying is Sandusky should lecture on child abuse?

[Leon]

RickGallway is now suspended until he and I talk on the phone. It is not for anything he, whoever he is, said in this thread. It has to do with his registration, which, at a minimum, is against board rules. thanks

PS- Rick, or whoever you are, please email me at leonl@flash.net if you want to be reinstated. We will have a nice long chat on the phone before that happens. I will go out on a limb and say I won't be getting an email.

[johnmh71]

My point was that neither JSA or PSA rubber stamp anything. I've submitted numerous items to both and I have had several items rejected, but none since I've focused on purchasing from more reputable dealers as suggested before. I approach every autograph with some doubt until I study it, purchase it from someone reputable, and then have it authenticated.

I also want to clarify that I do not believe that having them eliminates forgeries from the marketplace. That will always be a problem. And for the auction houses or any dealer that does their own, why should we believe that they are any more infallible than PSA or JSA?

I believe, that for most people, autograph collecting would be reduced to getting each one in person without TPAs. And even after building a collection that way, good luck trying to sell them down the road with no certification.