JSA Story on Autographalert.com

[sports-rings]

Fascinating story today on autographalert.com today about taking items JSA had already certified as genuine autographs, replacing them with Christopher Morales certificates and then submitting them to JSA again.

The article also implies that regular clients to JSA get special treatment and the benefit of the doubt when submitting items.

They story is worth a read.

[ibuysportsephemera]

Glad that I decided at the beginning of my collecting career (25 years ago) not to get involved in autographs. Not taking sides in this story at all...but it proves that there is no exact science except getting it signed in person or by by someone who you trust implicitly.

By the way the link to the story is:

http://www.autographalert.com/news.html

Jeff

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

Glad that I decided at the beginning of my collecting career (25 years ago) not to get involved in autographs. Not taking sides in this story at all...but it proves that there is no exact science except getting it signed in person or by by someone who you trust implicitly.

Collecting autographs is in the same category as game used equipment and uniforms...one huge leap of faith. How embarrassing this must be for JSA...far worse than the Sal Bando incident.

[slidekellyslide]

Here's the link http://autographalert.com/news.html

[keithsky]

Third party authenticating is a joke. I have gotten things personally signed and wanted to sell them but people are so obsessed with JSA and PSA they won't buy your items without one of there certs so I have gotten them authenticated only to have them come back fake. The best way is to get items signed in person so you know they are real and these guys flunk them doesn't leave you much choice selling other than you hope the buyer trust you. The latest was a Harold Baines 3x5 card I got signed in person and made a White Sox display that Mears auctioned off last month and JSA said it was fake. Who is going to fake a Baines 3x5 autograph. You can buy real ones all day long on Ebay for less than 5.00. Unreal.

Keith Janosky

[D. Bergin]

That's pretty depressing.

Goes to show that not only does Coach's Corner and Morales ruin the autograph market with their fakes, but good autographs are probably being taken off the legitimate autograph market at an astounding clip every time they even come into contact with them.

Not to make excuses for Spence.

It's definitely not something I haven't suspected for quite some time.

[tinkereversandme]

My big issue with this whole debacle is that, has anyone ever seen an item authenticated by the authenticating firm behind this story?

P.A.A.S? I would like to see them tested and see how they fare.

It is embarrasing, but not surprising that JSA would simply fail something because Morales liked it. Morales just has that reputation of turning a $1,000 item into $100, it seems with the prices that the Coach get.

Regards,

Larry

[slidekellyslide]

The story right under the JSA story about John Reznikoff is a good read too...I've seen in auction catalogs his name attached to just about every lock of hair that gets auctioned off...how in the world does someone go about authenticating hair??? Wouldn't you have to do a DNA test and compare with a known relative?

[HRBAKER]

Larry,

If that's the case then they are evaluating a COA from Morales and not a signature. Sure maybe someone has an ax to grind here but this really is the same cautionary tale over and over again. The value in any COA is that there is a perception in a "market" that it has value, to me it has never been anything more than a paid-for best guess. When you look at it like that should it surprise anyone if it's good one time and not the next, personalities aside.

Jeff

[timzcardz]

I can't say that I'm surprised.

[RobertGT]

All I can say is 'wow.'

True story: I once brought two items to be authenticated by Spence (then with PSA/DNA) at the Philly show when it was in Fort Washington, Pa.

The items were 500 HR 8X10 photos and single balls signed by "Original 11" at one of the historic Atlantic City shows in the 80s.

The 11 balls, which are in their own frame, and 11 photos, which are in their own huge frame, were obtained in person and signed at the same A.C. show.

The balls passed. The photos failed.