Autograph Authentication
 

Has anyone submitted autographs for authentication recently and can comment on turnaround time? PSA is pretty backed up on card grading, but I don't see any expected times for autograph authentication only.

Over the weekend, I purchased the last two cards I need to "complete" my signed 1963 Fleer set. Strictly speaking, I still lack Clemente, but I also lack the funds to afford a Clemente autograph, so I consider it complete at 65 of 66. I started this on a lark, but it also feels like an investment now and I'd like to get the rare and star cards authenticated to preserve the value. Thanks.

The last two I sent off to PSA took 20 and 45 days respectively. Both orders were around 5 items each.

I submitted 2 groups one 8 cards and one 88 cards and still waiting. Just for autograph authentication

oh no, sorry. You have to get all 66 or else it's worthless. Go find me the Clemente or else it's not finished. Consideration for completion is DENIED.:D Get the Clemente or else the rest of the set is a very poor investment. It must be PSA'd as well. Now go, you have a job to do.

Depends what you want to do.


Just know they are real...Beckett auto review for a star card or the boyer if you are worried.


PSA set/psa grade them. ... Wait until their economy service for autos is reopened for 60 days at $20. I dont see many of the cards warranting a $50 grading fee. I'm at 40 days of their 40 day turnaround still nothing

I know the provenance on most of the cards because I sent them in to private signings or did TTM. But, I did not keep records of the details. Given that my wife will likely outlive me, I figure getting them slabbed is the best way to remove any question as to what they are when the time comes to sell them. Thankfully, most of the ones I plan to authenticate are already just $20. Koufax is $50 at PSA, but that card came with an Online Authentics certification already.

FWIW, I did get a PSA Quick Opinion on the Boyer and it came back as "Likely Genuine."

I suppose that would depend upon the existence/reputation of the slabber at the time they are sold.

Some people thought about GAI.

If that is truly the case, leave a note with them for your wife to send to an auction house and have them pay for it, save grading fees for Clemente.

An interesting response insomuch as it touches on another thought that has been running through my mind as I've been getting ready for the annual review with our finance guy. There are so many auction houses out there, I really have no idea which ones to suggest. I assume that Goldin and REA are too high end for my collection and, alas, the Crazy Uncle has seemed to lit out for parts unknown.

For my sports sets, I am guessing that Greg Morris is the right place to go. But for the autographs, I really don't know where to start. Are there particular ones that folks recommend?

My personal opinion is to not spend money on authentication, from any company until right before you, or your loved ones, are ready to sell. All of these authentication companies rely on their reputation to maintain the value of the opinions everyone pays for. Because of the nature of this part of their business they are all one scandal away from having their slabs and certs being worthless. It happened to GAI in the early 2000s and it could hapoen again. I am not saying it will, but it could.
Imo, it's better to take all the money spent on certs and buy more autographs from reputable dealers. Once you, or your family, get to the point that you want to sell, send it to an auction house and let them do it. IMO, having autos, photos, etc preslabbed only helps your family if they intend to sell the items piece meal on their own. If they are going to send it to auction anyway, it turns out to be basically the same, but you spent money that could have been used to buy more items. (My example...yes i know its over the top, but it still works.Lol..its better to own 21 Ruth autos[21*$3k=$63k] unslabbed than 20 slabbed[20*$3k+$3k cert cost=$63k])

As far as which auction house to choose for autographs, that is hard to say really. There are many very good ones. What i would suggest you do is what i did. Call a couple up and speak to them about what you would like to do and what the process would be. Get a feel for how they treat you and how they might treat your family. You should then have enough information to decide what you think fits best. You can negotiate fees, etc and get something in writing from them to give to your family to reference when the time comes.

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