Autographs - Checks

[John V]

I would be interested in hearing thoughts on personal checks. Seems there shouldn't be much question regarding authenticity. How do checks rank in terms of desirability?
Thanks, John

[MVSNYC]

they are very desirable, especially older checks. i'm not an expert in this area, so maybe someone else can chime-in, but i have heard from many collectors, that checks offer the unusual guarantee of provenance and authenticity...good luck with your collection! here are 2 checks i own...

[drc]

Checks don't have the aesthetic appeal of a signed baseball, photo or check. However, they have a following due to the authenticity reliability.

[HOFAUTOS]

Checks are great for collecting because of the authenticity factor. Also that it was once a "personal" item of the athlete. I have seen many framed checks that look amazing with the right matte/frame.

[J.McMurry]

I have a few framed checks and they are fun, as well as more reliable than most other forms of signed collectibles, but dont make the mistake of thinking they are fullproof. I have come across a check signed by the players wife(cant recall the player,but I seem to remember the check being from the 1970's time period) and Ron K. has told me that he has come across some fake checks of the big names, specifically Ruth & Cobb. so, the bottom line as always is do your homework.

[Jay Wolt]

If you are worried about the wife signing the husbands name
make sure you get checks that have both names printed on the check
so either is entitled to sign it, so the misses doesn't need to forge the husbands name.
She can sign her own name.

[drc]

Maybe it's happened, but I've never seen a celebrity check where a family member signed for the celebrity. That's not a major concern. As a check was a legal and financial document, it would technically be illegal for the wife to forge the husband's signature. It's not something casual like a through the mail fan autograph request.

[MVSNYC]

"...and Ron K. has told me that he has come across some fake checks of the big names, specifically Ruth & Cobb. so, the bottom line as always is do your homework."

much like with cards, i try to buy my checks already graded/authenticated and from reliable sources/auction houses.

[J.McMurry]

"......but dont make the mistake of thinking they are fullproof..."

THAT'S the main point of my earlier post. Nothing in collectibles is 100% guaranteed to be authentic every time, even if it's in a PSA holder.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Very true. In anything, it is best to know as much as you can before going into a deal, be it for $30 or $300,000. Personally, I'm always leery when shopping around for a vehicle. In those cases, I use online review sites and also take along one of my mechanic buddies to inspect the car if seriously interested. If need be, I will have the car examined at a trustworthy garage that has positive word-of-mouth references. If you aren't comfortable with the subject matter, at least make sure you are dealing with upstanding individuals who are more familiarized on the topic at hand.