 Breaking News:
- January 24, 2012
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Autograph Authentication Malpractice
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- Are you sick and tired of reading on some auction sites the following mis-leading information? "This item has been certified by 'bla, bla, bla' the premier autograph authentication company in the world. Their authentication is accepted and used by all the major auction houses and is an eBay approved authenticator."
If you know anything about autographs you already know anyone using a statement such as this is full of you know what. This is an immediate red flag for the item being auctioned.
The seller making this statement has to know the truth and they should be taken with a grain of salt.
You would all be shocked to read the emails that come out of the eBay fraud division. You would be more than shocked to read what they say about their own authentictors. We have the emails!
The following story is as good as it gets exposing the incompetence of some autograph authenticators. It is clear as a bell! For this reason alone, be extremely caution of doing business with any seller of autographs or auction house who still uses the so called high profile autograph authentication companies. Click on the link for a real autograph educational course, read the entire story and enjoy the illustrations.
- Authentication Malpractice
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- Post Script from www.autographalert.com
The companies who claim they can authenticate autographs all broke one of the authenticating commandments, all their "guesses" were wrong as they did not remove the items from the frame and stuck their unsightly stickers on the back of each frame.
The signature of Ronald Reagan was authenticated by JSA and his boys in 2009. They called it a signature signed by the Autopen. During the same year, the book Presidents of the United States Autopen Guide was published by Stephen Koschal and Andreas Wiemer. Every known Autopen signature of the Presidents of the United States are illustrated in this book. All known 21 Autopen signatures of Ronald Reagan are reproduced yet the one Spence offers his guess is not illustrated. The question arises, Where did Spence find a match to the signature he supposedly examined? Was this simply another uneducated guess?
Those who make all these mistakes object to being called incompetent. Does anyone have a better word to explain the thousands of examples of such basic mistakes?
One has to constantly keep in mind who all the supposedly experts are that have their names associated with these companies. Those who claim to authenticate autographs and whose signature is associated with the mistakes made above are:
For Sports:
Kevin Keating
James Spence
Steve Grad
Zack Rullo
Mike Gutierrez
K. Low
R. Consola
B. Zafian
For Presidents:
John Reznikoff
Herman Darvick
Bob Eaton, RR Auctions
Others:
Roger Epperson
James Camner
- Breaking News:
- January 17, 2012
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JSA & PSA in Hall of Shame for $41k Blunder on 1939 HOF Induction Sigs of Babe Ruth, Larrry Lajoie and Others (Yes, That’s 3 “r’s” in Larry)
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 - by Peter J. Nash
- From a January 16, 2012 article that appeared in Hauls of Shame
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As “Operation Bambino” continues into 2012, readers have been alerting us about scores of other suspect autographed items certified as authentic by the “third-party” authenticators, PSA/DNA and JSA (James Spence Authentication). The revelations in the first three installments of Operation Bambino have stirred up quite a bit of controversy in the hobby as the accuracy of authentications of the high-end Babe Ruth single-signed balls are being seriously challenged by experienced collectors and dealers.
This picture of the HOFers at the 1939 Induction features forgeries of Nap Lajoie and Cy Young.
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While Babe Ruth’s signature is considered the crown-jewel of the autograph industry, signed items from the 1939 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies in Cooperstown are also held in high regard by collectors and command top-dollar . However, based upon some recent sales of Induction autographs at auction, it may be necessary to follow up the Ruth investigation with a seperate ”Operation Induction” probe.
The results of our cursory review of several items was, to say the least, shocking.
This signed 1939 Hall of Fame Induction Program was sold at Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas, Texas, last summer for over $41,000. Its alleged to be signed by all-time greats, Ruth, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Walter Johnson, George Sisler, Nap Lajoie, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Honus Wagner and others attending the ceremonies. But it wasn’t. The program features the work of a skilled forger who, unfortunately, had a hard time spelling Hall of Famer Nap Lajoie’s nickname “Larry” correctly. He penned the Frenchman’s name with three “r’s”. Here’s his work:
This autographed 1939 Induction Program sold for over $40,000 at Heritage last year. Experts say its the work of a skilled forger, as there are tell tale signs of forgery.
We asked some experts and dealers for their off the record opinions on the authenticity of the signatures on this program and all of them concurred with our conclusion. While some may still argue these signatures are genuine, as a result of the high quality of their execution, others were not fooled and noticed the tell-tale signs of forgery.
One of the first signatures we noticed as problematic was Cy Young’s (Top). Illustrated below the alleged Young signature on the Heritage item is an authentic Young signature signed on Induction Day in 1939 for a Cooperstown native. The contrast between the signatures is drastic and the forgery lacks any true resemblance to Young’s own signature signed in Cooperstown in 1939.
The next to show signs of forgery was the Larry Lajoie signature (top) which, while well executed, includes three “r’s” in “Larry.” The exemplar that appears below that signature is an authentic autograph of Lajoie also signed for a Cooperstown resident in 1939. On it’s own, with only two “r’s”, this forged signature would fool most everyone.
The Ty Cobb signature at the top of the Heritage Induction Day Program shows considerable contrast with other authentic Cobb signatures actually signed by the “Georgia Peach” in Cooperstown in 1939. The example at the bottom is considered authentic and appears on a 1939 Induction First Day Cover.
The Honus Wagnersignature appearing on Heritage’s auction lot is, perhaps the best forgery of the bunch, closely mimicking the “Flying Dutchman’s” elaborate signature with fancy flourishes. In our opinion, close, but no cigar, when compared to another authentic example signed for a Cooperstown resident in person during the 1939 festivities in Cooperstown. The forgery shows signs of hesitation and an appearance of being drawn and lacks the natural flow of Wagner’s handwriting.
The alleged Babe Ruth signature appearing on the 1939 program is also well executed. The authentic Ruth signature that appears on the bottom was signed by Ruth on a First Day Cover signed in June, 1939.
Here are some additional 1939 HOF Induction items certified as authentic by James Spence and PSA/DNA. It is our opinion that they are all forgeries:
Another 1939 Induction program with alleged signatures of inductees and others. This item appeared in Heritage’s November, 2011 auction but failed to sell. Heritage offered the item with a “Full PSA/DNA LOA” and “an Auction LOA from James Spence Authentication.” The item is, however, riddled with unimpressive forgeries. We took note of one forgery in particular of Cy Young. It’s our “considered opinion” this forgery is a dead-ringer for the Young forgery executed on the $41,000 program. One would expect to see something like this item in a Coaches Corner Auction.
This 1939 Induction First Day Cover that also sold at Heritage features an authentic signature of US Postmaster General, James Farley, and a forged autograph of Honus Wagner accompanied with LOAs from JSA and PSA/DNA.
This 1939 Induction First Day Cover sold at Heritage and features a forged Larry Lajoie signature with an LOA from Steve Grad andZach Rullo of PSA/DNA.
This 1939 Induction First Day Cover features a forged Cy Young signature. It sold for over $5,000 at Heritage with LOAs from JSA and PSA/DNA.
For comparison, here is an Induction Day forgery sold by Coaches Corner with a Christopher Morales LOA. In our opinion, this forgery, certified by Morales, features better signature examples of Cobb, Alexander and Walter Johnson when compared to the 1939 program that sold at Heritage for over $41,000. In contrast, the Coaches Corner forgery sold for about $900 bucks.
Not sold on our contention that these are all forgeries authenticated by PSA and JSA? Stay tuned for our next installment of “Operation Induction” and we guarantee you’ll never look at a PSA or JSA LOA the same way ever again.
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- Breaking News:
- January 12, 2012
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RR Auction and Their Authenticator
John Reznikoff Continue to Get a Failing Mark
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Many thanks to all those who sent us emails about some of the items in the December 11, 2011, RR Auction that were simply not genuine.
We will not go over all the items in the sale but just touch quickly on two that there is simply no excuse for the incompetence of the so-called quasi authenticators.
We'll go no further than the very first section. It is on the presidents.
Item #10 a typed letter by Barbara Bush on The White House stationery. For your confidence and feeling of security this letter comes complete with a COA from RR Auction. Maybe it's from the kid Bobby who works over there who has a lot of negative things to say about others. Bobby and those who pay his salary at RR Auction, with the minimal amount of homework (obviously none was done at all) can easily find a matching signature of Barbara Bush on another item to PROVE the letter they are offering at auction is signed for Barbara Bush by the Autopen machine. Since the staff at RR Auction did no homework, we'll educate them below.
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TLS #10 dated Nov.14, 1989 in Dec. 11, 2011 RR Auction
Detail from a TLS dated Nov. 29, 1989 Signed for Barbara Bush by Autopen
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Unfortunately some uneducated collector fell for the RR Auction COA and spent $120.00 for this basically worthless letter.
If you have been following this site you already are aware this happens regularly at RR Auction. Let's take a moment and let's move onto item #75 in the same RR Auction.
Hoover secretarial signature in RR Dec.11, 2011 auction;
from his book, American Individualism by Herbert Hoover.
- This precious little gem was pre-certified by John Reznikoff of PSA/DNA. Reznikoff is also on the staff of James Spence Authentication, PSADNA and we found he is a member in good standing in the UACC (Universal Autograph Collectors Club). PADA accepted his resignation over his participation in the sale of over $7 million dollars worth of JFK and Marilyn Monroe forgeries (Reznikoff was one of the founders of the club). Reznikoff is the one who took credit for the purchase of Neil Armstrong's hair. That was proven false on this site. Reznikoff tried to resign from the IACC/DA however his membership was terminated over ethics violations. Lately many enjoyed and chuckled watching Reznikoff on the TV program Pawn Stars where he authenticated in front of 6 million viewers a movie script that he said was inscribed and signed by Al Pacino. Actually is was written and signed by Al Ruddy, the movies producer.
Anyway, Reznikoff after blowing the authenticity on many of our US Presidents in the past gets another failure for authenticating this well known and publicized Hoover secretarial signature.
The name of the secretary who signed this signature for Hoover is Ann Shankey who was Hoover's Stenographer. This information could be found in many places. Even Charles Hamilton's A Beginner's Guide To Autograph Collecting illustrates a genuine Hoover verses a Shankey Hoover on page 53. See illustration below.
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Illustration from Hamilton's book, secretarial & real signature of Hoover
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- Another uneducated collector trusted the two worthless COA's and won this book for a bid of $220. And for their hard earned money purchasing a fake Hoover signature they are awarded with an additional insult of a 20% buyer's premium.
As usual, the "experts" whoever they are at RR Auction also offer their RR Auction COA along with Reznikoff's. Now isn't that an additional feeling of security and confidence?
www.autographalert.com has received many complaints about RR Auction and John Reznikoff. Many ask for suggestions on how then can be helped.
A previous article on this site suggests you contact the local FBI office where the incident has taken place. You may also send a copy to that States Attorney General. We also found a club that they both are still members. You can file a complaint with that autograph organization.
UACC Ethic's Board
Tom Solecki
1827 26th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11102
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- Breaking News:
- January 8, 2012
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Autograph Hobby's New
Autograph Auction Site
www.TheSigning.Com |
- New Web Site Where Everyone Can Buy and Sell Autographs is NOW LIVE
TheSigning.Com is the ONLY DEDICATED web site just for autographs and related material where everyone can buy and sell without being kicked off over issues one cannot control including "Quick Opinions" that are often erroneous and High Fees charged elsewhere. Many in the autograph hobby have been complaining for numerous years over these and other problems found elsewhere. Finally a web site has been established for all buyers and sellers in the autograph hobby.
TheSigning.Com is the FIRST and ONLY web site of its kind. It's been created with all the features that autograph buyers and sellers need in order to have successful transactions, without the interference of collusion. The site has been built from the ground up just for the needs of autograph buyers and sellers.
TheSigning.Com has no fees for buyers and very low fees for listing and final value of items. The fee scale is low in order to create an active buying and selling atmosphere for both parties. Other community sites take the lion's share of the profits leaving the sellers with little room to make money. TheSigning.Com has made sure the fees are very low in order to ensure the sellers are making the highest possible profit margin on each item sold on the site which in turn gives buyers an opportunity to find great values in a hobby friendly atmosphere
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If you've been kicked off, suspended or threatened to be suspended over some minor infraction on other community sites, come and list at TheSigning.Com. No politics, buying fees, screening buyers and sellers emails or quick opinions on your items. This site has no hidden agenda and welcomes everybody in the autograph hobby.
Obviously, authenticity is paramount and we want sellers to guarantee their products and bidders and buyers to ask questions and use opinions of those they trust to insure that they have a positive experience when participating at www.thesigning.com.
As for authenticity issues, more interesting and informative information will be posted at a later date.
This article was originally published in forum thread: TheSigning.Com-New Web Site Where Everyone Can Buy & Sell Autographs- NOW LIVE started by Todd Mueller View original post www.autographnewslive.com
- Breaking News:
- January 5, 2012
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Autograph Quarterly
Announces Seal of Approval
The AAA Award |
The hobby's only in print periodical, Autograph Quarterly is announcing an exciting new program. This program evokes the older era when the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval meant you were buying a quality product that the editors and testers at that magazine deemed worthy of your hard earned dollars.
Likewise, Autograph Quarterly has instituted the Autograph Quarterly Seal of Approval, the AAA award.
Dealers displaying the special logo are telling their potential customers that:
A. Autograph Experts in the dealers field or fields have inspected the dealers online inventory and determined that it is authentic material they are offering for sale.
B. A minimum of FOUR experts inspect each dealers inventory such as eBay listings.
C. Any dealer getting this prestigious seal will sign a contract stating certain things such as AQ's ability at ANY time in the future to remove the seal from their advertising space. This will be done at AQ's sole discretion. The dealers that get the seal will have their inventory inspected QUARTERLY from that point on. There will be no free passes, no friends and family plan here.
D. Dealers MUST maintain an integrity about their sales and customer relations. This will include refunds on items PROVEN to be non authentic. In the case the dealer doesn't produce a refund, a customer will be able to come to AQ and submit the item for review.
E. There is NO COST to any dealer. They are either verified or not by Autograph Quarterly. Many dealers have expressed interest in the program and those interested should send a link showing ongoing listings on eBay or other sites to Autograph Quarterly, attention : Mike Abston who is in charge of the AQ Seal of Approval program.
Additionally, as Autograph Quarterly feels that "opinions" should be FREE, they are offering a wonderful new plan beginning January 2012 where subscribers to Autograph Quarterly for NO CHARGE will be able to submit up to 5 eBay listings on the AQ website by merely punching in the eBay number. This should be done as long as the sale has at least 48 hours to go. The experts will render the likely or not likely authentic opinion for you to protect your hobby dollars. This service is FREE for ALL subscribers and is good up to 100 opinions PER YEAR. This is a TWO THOUSAND DOLLAR VALUE and all for the regular subscription price. In addition, you will get the wonderful magazine in your mail box each quarter that everyone is raving about.
We have some of the best well known experts in the world of autographs doing this work, WHY ? They, Like the magazine are concerned about the level of fraud on the internet especially today. Our experts are willing to work FOR FREE to help change the hobby and get it back to the way it was only years ago.
There are MORE wonderful and exciting things AQ is announcing in their FIRST issue of 2012. This issue is due on newsstands during April and at $24.95 per year you won't want to miss a single informative thing!
The Autograph Dealers SEAL of Approval, look for it BEFORE you buy online - FREE from the publishers of Autograph Quarterly.
PS. NO one publishing at AQ or working this program has a conflict of interest. NONE are dealers and our experts are well known in the hobby. A list of many will be released shortly.
Dealers gaining this seal of approval will ALSO be listed in EACH and every magazine FREE of charge!
Autograph Quarterly's web site will maintain records therefore you can check for who has the seal and who doesn't have it.
Once again, you will be able to shop for autographs in a relaxed fun way. This is the way of knowing you are dealing with experts and dealers who hand sign their COA's, stand behind their product, and have had their peers inspect their inventory.
YOUR job as collectors and potential purchasers of autographs is to say NO SEAL, NO DEAL!
- Breaking News:
- January 3, 2012
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eBay Approved Authenticator passes a
George H.W. Bush Autopen Signature |
President George H.W. Bush is still using the Autopen machine to sign letters and photographs. Illustrated below are matching Autopen signatures of the former president.
The signature is found on photographs sent to him for autograph requests and also on letters.
These type mistakes are commonly found on eBay. Authenticated "as genuine" by an eBay approved authenticator simply makes it worse.
The following signature is found on a T.L.S. dated July 18, 2011. It was offered on eBay as item #330624732349. Not surprisingly the signature was authenticated by James Spence Authentication Company as being a genuine signature. The seller states the letter mentions former president Bill Clinton and comes with a COA from James Spence, an eBay approved 3rd party authenticator. JSA #'d sticker is on the back of the letter.
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Bush machine signed signature authenticated "as genuine" by James Spence
This basically worthless letter sold to some uneducated buyer for $147.50. Isn't it way past time for eBay to do something about their approved autograph authenticators?
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Matching George Bush signature on a photograph
George H.W. Bush Autopen Signatures
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The above is just one more reason to be extra cautious buying autographs on eBay and not purchase any autograph item that comes with a James Spence COA before doing your own homework. Spence is also a member in good standing with the Universal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC).
- Breaking News:
- December 31, 2012
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Roger Epperson, The Nonsense Continues! |
What is it with this guy? Many in the autograph hobby can't believe he is still around.
He's been caught in lies (in print) stating he never bought from different forgers. After being pressured and the forgers named, he later admitted purchasing from them.
Because of complaints from collectors, Roger Epperson received a letter from a Florida show promoter that he could no longer participate and sell autographs in future shows unless he has his inventory vetted by a professional authenticator. Roger did not take up the offer and was not allowed to exhibit his autographs at any of the future shows booked at several different locations around the United States.
The mistakes Roger has made even in recent years are numerable. In his own words Roger uses the excuses "that was too many chemo treatments ago" or another one "just a typo." Roger just keeps giving excuses for his incompetence. Imagine Epperson attributing his many chemo-therapy treatments for making mistakes? He has the nerve to continue to act as a person who thinks they can authenticate an autograph?
There is a fairly new blog site by run by a former coin dealer. He is also a failed autograph dealer and a failed publisher of an magazine on autographs. On this site, Epperson is getting blasted by collectors and autograph experts for authenticating a well known forgery of Elvis Presley. Seems like everyone who knows something about Elvis's autograph knows its not real, that is everyone but so-called autograph authenticator Roger Epperson. After all the mistakes made by Epperson it shocks many that he is the music authenticator for RR Auctions. He is also an authenticator for JSA (James Spence Authentication).
Experts complained about item number 811 in RR Auction #360. August 2010. Stated in the auction description: " Vintage 3.5x5.5 German postcard promotional photo of Elvis…signed on the front…signed again on the verso…" "A classic early image of The King enhanced by an impressive signature on the reverse. Pre-certified by Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction."
You read the above right, two signatures on a German postcard photo of Elvis. Two signatures of Elvis Presley that Epperson mis-authenticated.
RR Auction was advised about Epperson and RR's screw-up of authenticating two forged signatures of Elvis as genuine. Epperson tries to water down his mistake by stating the item did not sell. Apparently just another Epperson lie as RR's own website still states the Presley in question sold for $2,646.00.
This is just one more example of fake autographs entering the market authenticated as genuine by Roger Epperson through RR Auctions.
- Epperson has not learned to take his lumps and just go away. He starts blogging on the silly site mentioned above: "they were never sold once we figured out they were not authentic." What medication was Epperson on when he made this quote? "Once we figured out they were not authentic!" Epperson, you authenticated the forgeries as genuine and RR as usual rubber stamped your authentication with theirs.
Now that Epperson admits the signatures of Elvis are forgeries, RR Auction still shows the item as sold and no mention of the bidder being refunded.
The real experts who foolishly attempt to educate Epperson as to why the signatures of Elvis are not genuine simply waste their time. They identify the Elvis postcard as coming from a European forger. Surprisingly, now guess who jumps into the discussion? No other than John "Pawn Stars" Reznikoff of University Archives who continues the circus atmosphere. Reznikoff states "I had the misfortune of handling Baker (Elvis European forger) material which I acquired through a Colorado dealer…" Remember reading elsewhere in a sworn court statement Reznikoff stating that he never sold forgeries of Elvis Presley? Oooops!
For accuracy we need to remind Reznikoff, he did not acquire Elvis forgeries from a Colorado dealer. Reznikoff was partners in the Elvis forgies with a dealer in Texas. Reznikoff once again acting as an "autograph expert" decided the Elvis lyrics were genuine and the Texas dealer went in half on the documents. The dealer only did so based on Reznikoff's authentication.
Reznikoff writes again admitting he took part in the purchase of the forged Elvis lyrics: "I was able to get a refund for most of what was purchased…" Again lets remember what Reznikoff said under oath, he never sold Elvis forgeries.
Roger Epperson hates his numerous mistakes being exposed by www.autographalert.som and Steve Koschal. Epperson continues to dance and try to get off the Elvis subject with a ridiculous statement on Cyrkin's blog: "Greg is cool in my mind too until he starts to write like Steve Koschal and fires off things and then avoids the questions back that ask him to back up what he says."
Is this also what the chemo treatments have done to Roger Epperson? He makes such a foolish statement that makes no sense. Something he creates in his own mind. Anyone who knows Steve Koschal can be assured there is NO statement made by Steve Koschal that he avoids questions. Matter of fact if Roger Epperson wants to purchase a genuine Elvis Presley he knows where to go, he purchased a genuine one from Steve Koschal and was extremely pleased and excited with the item.
Most notably, Roger Epperson is well known for creating and making false statement with intent to harm. Steve Koschal has exposed some of Epperson's short comings with facts. Trying to get even, Epperson can only create false statements. He has written in several places statements such as the following: "you (Koschal) never even paid child support…for your children…" and "I never have said anything about your (Koschal's) marriage just the FACT that you didn't pay your child support for your children." Just the Fact? Roger talks about facts he created in his own mind! The following is a direct quote from Steve Koschal. "I never, ever had to pay child support for any of my children! All my children were over 18 years old when I went through my divorce." "Roger Epperson simply creates false statement and lies even when he doesn't have to."
Roger continued to rant and challenges anyone about his integrity. Integrity? Just give us honest responses when your mistakes are uncovered. How could Epperson have continued to purchase signed items from known forgers if he knew anything about autographs? Or did he know and didn't care as the items were cheap and he could make money selling the forgeries!
Now enters Steve "anti-Semite" Cyrkin adding a third ring to the circus. Remember Cyrkin is the one who authenticated an autograph as genuine and later writes now that I am up and having a cup of coffee…..so Cyrkin must have authenticated the autograph while asleep. Now Cyrkin as we all remember was pulling all the forgeries out of his own inventory before his business went bust says: "But I don't feel completely comfortable for some reason. I'm not even sure why." Let's just sit back and watch this guy self implode. We know Cyrkin lost his business, lost his magazine but can you believe things are so bad that he writes: "I don't even have a TV."
Many in this hobby feel Steve "anti-Semite" Cyrkin should learn it is better to stay quiet and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt!" It certainly appears to many that Cyrkin's life in autographs has unraveled like an onion's layers bringing tears to the eyes of those he infects.
You have to love the stuff Cyrkin also creates in his own mind and how he continues to protect his old full page advertisers. Cyrkin now comes up with the unbelievable statement about the Elvis forger in Europe. "that was uncalled for, Greg. Not only did Roger (Epperson) discover Hans Bakker…" Roger Epperson may have been in diapers when Bakker was discovered. The time Baker was discovered is when autograph expert Ken Rendell purchased a very expensive ($135,000) Elvis lyrics from John Reznikoff and his partner in Texas. Upon receipt of the item, Rendell instantly knew the Elvis item was a forgery and returned the document. You read Reznikoff's own admission, Reznikoff and his partner had to each write checks to refund Rendell. Yes, Reznikoff wrote a check refunding Rendell. Amazing, writing a hefty refund check for something you publicly stated you never sold!
Roger Epperson has set the standard of authenticating signatures of men who have been dead for years on items recently produced!
Roger Epperson does not like being exposed. He writes: "I have creeps from all over the globe (seems like the whole autograph world knows of Epperson's incompetence) watching my every move to see if I made a mistake so they can post it on some BS website or use it against me in court." Look into this guys mind and read what he writes? He admits people are watching for his next mistake and so he calls them creeps (for trying to warn and educate collectors). Then when they post his error he calls the web site BS.
Roger admits in writing: "imagine your kid won't call you anymore because of the crap that is said about me on other sites and on the web." Another side of Roger Epperson, look how he references his own son calling him a kid.
Not only will Epperson's own child not call him, neither will all those who understand how much damage Epperson has done to this hobby authenticating non genuine autographs as real. Imagine how much more his child may know of his dad's doings than the hobby does.
Roger Epperson hates www.autographalert.co and has somewhat threatened one of this sites creators with wanting to make a personal visit to his home. Epperson appearing to use strong arm tactics sends an email to Steve Koschal requesting approval of coming to Miami, Florida to meet. Koschal responds calling Epperson's bluff: "I see you want to come and visit me here in Florida, not a problem…."
Epperson responds: "Let me check my schedule and I'll get back to you."
Koschal responds: "Still checking your schedule???"
No response from Epperson.
Koschal writes Epperson once again: "This is the 3rd request for you to respond…..let's get on with it, what are you afraid of….? Awaiting a timely reply."
The cowardly Epperson who tried to intimidate Koschal goes into hiding!
This is what Epperson is all about, a loud mouth, a coward, a liar and most certainly an incompetent authenticator. Many feel he maybe the king of "fact twisting drivel."
- Breaking News:
- December 21, 2011
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UACC
Universal Autograph Collectors Club
What Has Happened To You? |
It's no secret that this club has spiraled downward during the last 20 years and things are looking grim.
The club appears to be little more than a website. Many can remember the club holding several shows a year. Collectors, members and dealers were able to met at shows in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, DC and Ft. Lauderdale yearly.
- When was the last time the club had any show?
The club journal which the organization calls an "award winning journal" was for years published six times a year. Seems like it was almost the death of the journal with their Winter 2009, 72 page issue. After a hiatus of two years, a measly 20 page February 2011 issue miraculously appeared. Compared to other club journals it was embarrassing for what any members had to pay for dues. It had not much to say. The little that was said needed some improvement on accuracy. For example, The article on Decision Points, the new book by President George W. Bush. The article asks the readers "Where can collectors purchase these signed books?" Shouldn't the author be telling the readers where they can be purchased. It was well known at the time this article was written where signed copies could be obtained. Worse, the article continues: "for now here are eight known machine and printed examples of George W. Bush signatures.." Two years prior to this article a Presidential Autopen Guide was published (2009) listing ten Autopen signatures of George W. Bush.
The club website states on their home page that their journal is an "award winning journal" yet in the full page description of the journal there is no mention of any award or who gave it to them.
The club website states that during the 80's the club journal had 32 advertisers. The February 2011 issue had only 19. Where have all their dealers gone?
The club instituted a UACC Blog which was posted on May 11, 2011. On May 26, 2011 the first post was left by a club officer. With no one biting, he left another post on May 27. Still no bites. On May 31 the club secretary left a post and it appears the blog has died.
Another announcement was created The UACC Community. It was launched on May 26, 2011 and posted by the administrator. We cannot find a single posting on this page.
We have attempted to contact who is listed as the president of this club to discuss these issues but he will not reply.
We even asked if the club was still in operation. No reply!
Just two short years ago a new dealer member of the club got registered dealer number 306. The latest posted directory lists only 155 dealer members. What has happened to half of their dealer membership? Where have they gone and why? Of the apparent current dealer membership we find one member listed who passed away on December 23, 2008. We find another listed who has contacted the UACC on several occasions during the last several months requesting his name be removed from the list, with no success. No one associated with www.autographalert.com is a member of this club and we find many of the well known long time professional autograph dealers are also not members.
The UACC claims that they will investigate and vent all sellers of autographs before they are admitted into the club. This is supposed to give the illusion that it is safe to purchase from these dealer members.
This is very confusing. All the sellers are vetted yet why do they list 27 members of the club that have been expelled? Weren't these members vetted? Some of the dealers were expelled for selling "non-genuine autographs" and another for being a forger. Only purchase from a UACC registered dealer? Makes no sense!
The former president of the UACC was expelled. How bad was this guy for the club to expel a former president? This lasted for over 20 years but you won't see his name on the expelled list as he miraculously now appears as a member in good standing.
In the well respected paper, Baron's, appeared an article, "Kinda Sorta Genuine." The article starts with James Spence giving a thumbs-up on a forged signature of Mike Schmidt. The article also refers to a UACC member of the Ethics Board stating that "it's not uncommon to see a PSA/DNA expert authenticating an autograph that is certainly not authentic". James Spence was a member of the PSA/DNA team and believe it or not has been a member "in good standing" with UACC Registered Dealer Number 173. How does this make sense? The club does not accept the findings and the "opinions" of the authenticators yet the authenticators can be a member in good standing.
Many consider the largest professional autograph seller in the world refuses to join the UACC. How desperate is the UACC to obtain his membership? An officer of the club asked the dealer simply to fill out the membership form and no dues needed to be paid. The seller would be an "honorary" member. The seller refused as to not want his companies good name to listed along side some very questionable members. How many of the UACC Registered Dealers left are not paying dues?
The past few years we find this club giving two awards to a seller of autographs who holds the industry record of participating in the sale of seven to eight million dollars of forged Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy autographs, his partner went to prison. This same award winning person was recently viewed on the television show Pawn Stars by six million people. He authenticated as genuine a film script inscribed and signed by Al Pacino. Problem is the UACC Award Winning person had no clue the handwriting and signature was not of Al Pacino but of Al Ruddy, the films producer. Who vetted this seller???? How wise is it to only purchase your autographs from a UACC dealer member?
As for the actual number of members left in this club, this is a mystery as the club no longer publishes a Membership Directory that at one time was sent free to all members. Simply another item taken away for you membership fee.
As for the UACC header on the home page of their website, it lists exemplars of signatures of Presidents of the United States. Listed are George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Zachary Taylor, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield and Steve McQueen. McQueen?????
Last but certainly not least is a club signature study of Clark Gable. If you haven't seen this, you must. A signature study of the "King of Hollywood" which is a measly one and a half pages long and contains only four examples of Clark Gable's signature. It is hard to imagine in such a short study the author could not get the facts right. An educational study for the membership where the so-called educator lists the tile "Clark Gable Authograph Study". Since the author has trouble spelling the word "autograph" we will go on to correct his other mistakes in another article.
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UACC Clark Gable Authograph [sic] Study
- The study says Gable signed his name and wrote the "G" in his last name two different ways. It says he wrote an open capital "G" and a number "9" looking "G". It continues by saying the open "9" looking "G" was used on checks, letters and contracts. This information is incorrect as we have examples of typed letters and those handwritten where Gable has signed his name with the number "9" looking "G". See just one illustration below.
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Gable handwritten letter signed with the "9" looking "G"
This study continues by saying that signatures found in autograph albums usually are the number "9" looking "G". Why even bother saying this if it could go either way?
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Album page , Gable signs with the open capital "G"
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Very interesting is that this study was written back in 2010 and apparently no one or a few have looked at it as the mis-spelling of the "Clark Gable Authograph Study" was never corrected. Wonder how long it will take to correct this after this story is published?
What does one gets being a collector member for $35 or a dealer member for $100? It appears not a fraction of what you once received. It's hard to tell anything when a club does not respond to our email requests. We would have liked to print something positive. Some in the hobby now refer to this club as the "Who ACC".
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- Breaking News:
- December 18, 2011
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Mickey Mantle
The Truth About His Autograph
By Stephen Koschal |
For several years I have been asked many times to write a story about Mickey Mantle's autograph. Reason is, I've met him so many times, had lengthy discussions with him and even encountered an unusual situation with him over something to be signed.
Since the 1960's, I've had published over 250 articles on autographs for The Manuscript Society, Sports Collectors Digest, The UACC Journal, Autograph Magazine, Autograph Quarterly, articles in every issue of the International Autograph Collectors Club & Dealer Alliance Journal and International magazines such as Autographensammler based in Germany.
I've also published eleven books on autographs and signature studies and presently I am working on two others.
I've avoided writing about the signature of Mickey Mantle due to all the controversy over his autograph created by a handful who have little or no experience in authenticating autographs. There is little controversy when professionals talk and exchange information with other professionals.
Presently there is a somewhat worthless conversation going on a blog supported by pretty much unknown persons. They are all acting like they know something about Mickey Mantle's autograph.
It basically gets down to the same old tried and tested thing, if you're going to purchase anything signed by Mantle do so from a professional dealer who specializes in baseball autographs. Should you choose to go the route of falling for something that comes with a COA from a high profile authenticating company you are making a huge mistake.
Comments are being made that nine out of ten items signed by Mantle that are being sold are fake. I don't understand how anyone can make this assumption. Yes, there are many thousands of items with forged Mickey Mantle forged autographs on them. However, Mantle was popular for over 40 years and was an active signer for many of them. Mantle was a very popular signer at shows across the country. As I recall, I don't think there was a show anywhere that tickets for his autograph was not sold out. Mantle signed just about anything from books to restaurant dinner plates and dollar bills.
The old rule stands, you want a genuine Mickey Mantle autograph purchase one from a reputable dealer. The following dealers are highly recommended because of their long history of expertise and professionalism.
Jim Stinson Sports: jim@stinsonsports.com
Richard Simon Sports Inc.: richsprt@aol.com
Bill Corcoran: bcorcora@tampabay.rr.com
Mike Frost: specialagent711@aol.com
The main reason the above are named experts on Mickey Mantle is that they were experts long before the proliferation of forgeries. One of them has witnessed Mantle sign his name 30,000 times. For years these experts only saw numerous genuine signatures of Mickey Mantle, therefore no confusion with a forgery!
The major problem we have is those claiming to be experts who work for or run authenticating companies. These people will most likely never be an expert on the autograph of Mickey Mantle. Proof is many mistakes have been made.
For example, I was exhibiting sports autographs at a show in Virginia years ago. I decided to sell one dozen Mickey Mantle baseballs that I got "in person" at a show in Philadelphia years before. Reason I decided to sell these treasures is that I had each ball in it's original box and all twelve balls in the original carton. These balls were not touched since they were signed and they were stored in a dry and dark place. One day, I decided to look at the balls and some started to have stains and dark spots showing up on some panels. A few of the signatures for some reason started to bleed slightly. I decided to sell before the condition of the balls got worse. A noted dealer and show promoter by the name of Dick Gordon wanted to purchase the dozen balls. His only comment was, for some odd reason, he wanted a kid by the name of Jimmy Spence to look at them. Spence was only a few tables away. He was exhibiting some matted and framed sports items. I told Dick Gordon, I could care less who he showed the balls to. Gordon came back a few minutes later and passed on the balls. I asked him why and he said Spence didn't like them. Immediately I went to Spence's booth and asked him how in the world he could not like those 12 Mickey Mantle signed balls. The answer was quite lame. He stated: "every time I see that many signatures at the same time of one person it makes them questionable". That statement was unbelievable. My response to Spence was: "this only proves to me that you are incapable of authenticating authentic Mickey Mantle signatures". What more proof does anyone need?
I don't know why, but I took the time to explain to Spence why I felt he was incompetent. My reason for this is Spence got into this hobby too late. When he entered the hobby there were many fake Mantle signatures being sold. He was not around for years when every Mantle signature available was genuine. Many of the old timers only saw genuine signatures for years. Spence coming in the market late had to try, in his mind, to distinguish real Mantle signatures from those that were forged. Obviously this was something he could not accomplish. It is a near impossible task, thus many mistakes have been made and will continue to be made.
Should anyone have something signed by Mickey Mantle and want it looked at by a true expert I suggest two authenticators with a third coming soon.
Mike Frost: www.paasautographs.com
Richard Simon: www.richardsimonsports.com
The following are illustrations of some Mickey Mantle autographs on a slip, HOF cards, photographs and bats. Should anyone want to discuss any of these autographs do so by responding to skoschal@aol.com
Comments about these signatures on other blogs by those using fictitious names will be ignored. If warranted, a second article on this site is possible.
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Mantle signature on a slip, uncommon
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Four Mantle's on HOF cards
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Mantle signatures on two photographs
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Mantle signatures on three bats
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- Breaking News:
- December 14, 2011
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James Spence Authentication and
PSA/DNA Authenticate a Signature
of a Person Who
Could Not Write Their Name.
Where's Law Enforcement? |
The following is testimony from James Spence in the case of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Vs: Roger Lee Hooper held on September 29, 2010 in Courtroom Number 1 before the Honorable J. Wesley Oler, Jr. in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
A question was asked of Spence about authentication and his response was in part:
"…..but in order to authenticate such an autograph, I, would, obviously, if I did not see him sign this for the first time, I would need multiple examples. I just don't offer an opinion of an autograph based on one example that is given to me. You have to have a series of autographs and hopefully over a period of time to make proper judgment."
What Spence is talking about is you have to have a series of exemplars over a period of time to make a proper judgment on any autograph!
Tom Sayers (1826-1865) was an English bare knuckle prize fighter. He faced an American champion and that fight was considered to be boxings first world championship fight.
According to Wikipedia, Tom Sayers never learned to read or write!
Confirming this, illustrated below is a copy of Sayers Passport dated 7 Day of June, 1860. Thomas Sayers signs his name with his mark, the "X". The mark "X" is witnessed and signed by John Gideon.
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Passport of Thomas Sayers
Heritage Auctions, 2011 Vintage Sports Collectibles #7041, Lot 81101. 1859 ( One Year before the illustrated Passport) Tom Sayers Handwritten Signed Letter.
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Illustrated above is Heritage's Heading of this item
and their statement at the end referring to Letters of Authenticity. The description of this item concludes: "Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication".
- Regarding this subject, www.autographalert.com has contacted Mr. Travis Roste who many consider one of the leading experts on the signatures of boxers.
Travis Roste stated "boxing collectors and dealers know that there are no exemplars for Sayers handwriting".
The letter being offered by Heritage is dated 1859 yet one year later Sayers signed his Passport with an "X".
Spence says he doesn't authenticate a signature unless he has several exemplars. The International Autograph Community has to ask Spence and PSA/DNA where did you get exemplars to authenticate the handwriting and signature of Tom Sayers on the item being offered by Heritage?
Heritage has been notified of this inexcusable mistake. What Heritage Auction Galleries did not do was remove the item from their sale. However, they did take very quick action. Heritage Auctions changed their catalog description and removed the statement about PSA/DNA and Spence issuing a FULL LOA. The new description reads: "Both PSA/DNA and James Spence believe this piece to be authentic, but are unable to issue paperwork due to an absence of exemplars."
What are they talking about? PSA/DNA and James Spence did issue "FULL LOA's for Heritage according to their original catalog description. What happened to those LOA's?"
Now Heritage says both PSA and JSA believe the letter is good. Some are saying "…is PSA/DNA and James Spence Authentication now in the belief business?"
Other questions are: Who at PSA/DNA is willing to lend their name to the original authentication when they issued a FULL LOA? Who at PSA/DNA is their expert on boxing autographs? It's impossible to get an answer to these two simple questions.
James Spence at JSA is the individual who originally issued a FULL LOA for his company. What did PSA and JSA use for exemplars in order to issue full COA's for the Sayers autograph letter signed being offered by Heritage Auctions? In all fairness to both authenticating companies, there was an "X" on Sayers Passport. Could the "x" have a similar appearance to looking like Tom Sayers?
Companies don't authenticate autographs, people do!
They need to be held accountable.
Heritage estimates the value of this letter to be $20,000 +
What Heritage Auction Galleries did not do was remove the item from their sale. The letter sold for $10,775 including the buyer's premium.
The big picture here is, there is no known examples of Thomas Sayers signature available, as the man could not write his name, PSA/DNA and James Spence Authenticated this letter as genuine. More people are asking WHY ISN'T LAW ENFORCEMENT INVOLVED?
- Breaking News:
- December 12, 2011
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Autograph Authentication
Scams, Complaints, and The Law |
For years this website has been receiving complaints from collectors and sellers of autographs regarding some horrific experiences they have had with some of the high profile companies who "claim" they can authenticate autographs.
We find that on our own investigation on some of these companies we cannot find a single person on paid staff who is basically qualified to professionally authenticate an autograph.
In some cases you cannot find out who the actual individual is that authenticated the autograph you have submitted. COMPANIES DON'T AUTHENTICATE AUTOGRAPHS, PEOPLE DO!" In the event that you obtained a celebrity autograph in person and decided to spend your hard earned money to have someone authenticate it and it comes back as "not authentic" you will simply be told you have only paid for their opinion. Anyone including your neighbor can offer an opinion for free and that opinion has a 50/50 chance of being accurate.
To look at the backgrounds of some of the persons hired to authenticate autographs at some of these companies is nothing less than frightening. We will not go into detail here but ask why would you send your autograph and a check or money order to someone who only "claims" they can authenticate autographs. You don't even know who you are sending your item to and if you found out, you may be shocked.
These companies regularly authenticate rubber stamped, printed, secretarial signed and forged signatures as genuine. Just as bad in many cases they state that genuine signatures are not real. Very recently, one of the most public embarrassing situations ever was seen on national television in front of six million viewers. One person who claims to be an authenticator for at least two high profile companies appeared on a segment of Pawn Stars. This individual examined a movie script that actually was inscribed and signed by Al Ruddy, the films producer. The so called "expert" authenticated Al Ruddy's writing and signature as Al Pacino. This is just one of many examples of total incompetence exhibited by staff of these authenticating companies. More on this story can be found on this site (see August 25, 2011).
www.autographalert.com is overwhelmed with emails complaining about personal experiences with high profile companies who simply claim they can authenticate autographs. These emails always ask what can they do, what are their options because they feel they have been scammed.
Big brother is now watching!
If you have a complaint and want a file of your experience, email us your story and copy the Attorney General in the State where the authenticating company has an office. It is imperative you also copy in the F.B.I. with your complaint.
Your complaint can be one that you experienced either recently or a few years ago. It's important to have your complaint documented.
To help assist those who feel they have been scammed we offer the following information.
California:
Kamila D. Harris
Attorney General
California Department of Justice
Website: http://oag.ca.gov/contact
Log onto
1) contact us
2) Consumer complaint form
Also contact:
F.B.I. Los Angeles
11000 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: (310) 477-6565
Website: http://www.fbi.gov./scams-safety/be_crime_smart/
Log onto: on line tip form
or in New Jersey:
Paula T. Dow
Attorney General
Office of Attorney General
P.O. Box 080
Trenton, NJ 08625-0080
Website: http://www.nj.gov/oag/email.htp
Also contact:
Michael B. Ward
F.B.I.
Claremont Tower
11 Centre Place
Newark, NJ 07102
Ph: (973) 792-3000
Website: http://www.fbi.gov/newark/
Log onto: Submit a tip on line
In any case, also, do not hesitate to contact the local Better Business Bureau where the authenticating company resides.
- Breaking News:
- December 4, 2011
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James Spence Authentication
Making Multiple Headlines and Its All Not Good For the Autograph Hobby |
Much bad publicity has been written about James Spence when he was attempting to be an authenticator at PSA/DNA. His mistakes were voluminous.
Spence broke away from PSA/DNA. He is attempting to be an autograph authenticator on his own. It seems like not much has changed and the mistakes he makes just keep coming to light.
If you are not familiar with the excellent website www.haulsofshame.com it time to start.
This site is one of the leading forces in trying to get law enforcement involved in the scams of authenticators and the selling of non authentic items.
Recent headlines on this site are:
"JSA (James Spence Authentication) & PSA Cert $150k in Matty fakes" This refers to Spence having made another stunning blunder in authenticating yet another signature of Christy Mathewson as genuine.
Another headline on www.haulsofshame.com reads:
"JSA (James Spence Authentication) and REA (Auction House) Cost Collector $38k on Babe Ruth forgeries and bogus Bambino hair….."
As mentioned many times before, it may be best to avoid any autograph that comes with a JSA COA and to avoid any shop or auction house who supports authenticators.
Always, and we means always, purchase from a reputable dealer who will absolutely guarantee what they sell. This statement must be written on the bill of sale. There must be a firm understanding that if and when you get a written statement from a professional authenticator stating the item is not genuine, and the actual reasons why, that you will get a refund. You don't want the seller to tell you there will be a duel later between his "chosen" so called authenticator and your professional. The bill should indicate a full refund for purchase price, not a credit. A credit will usually stick you with another fake autograph.
Look at many of the COA's, the same standard reasons are used over and over. Seems like the reasons are all rubber stamped reasons and not individual statements about the specific autograph. It always appears they spent as much time printing the standard reasons from their computer as the time they spent looking at the signature.
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