O'Keeffe tackles the Coaches Corner-Morales-Caizzo story with a fine article

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2008/04/19/2008-04-19_beatles_authenticator_at_heart_of_memora.html?p age=0" target="_new" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2008/04/19/2008-04-19_beatles_authenticator_at_heart_of_memora.html?p age=0</a" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2008/04/19/2008-04-19_beatles_authenticator_at_heart_of_memora.html?p age=0</a</a>><br />--<br /><br />article from Sunday's NY Daily News by Michael O' Keeffe.<br />--<br /><br />I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>So Morales believes the reason CC gets about five cents on the dollar is that they are catering to a different clientele, more of the everyday blue collar crowd. That's rich.<br /><br />I want to know where I can buy inventory at 5% of retail.

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Posted By: <b>1880nonsports</b><p>But even the general manager of an auction house that sells scores of Morales-authenticated pieces each year says he doesn't have a lot of confidence in Morales.<br /><br />"There are authenticators whose work seems better," says Lee Trythall of Coach's Corner. "There are guys who are more qualified."<br /><br />I mean an auction like CC selling probable fakes with certs from Morales and Taylor suggesting that their own examiner just ain't that good......<br />ASK LEE (as their ads used to say)!

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Posted By: <b>DD</b><p><a href="http://dealbyauctionstore.stores.yahoo.net/leetrytphota.html" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://dealbyauctionstore.stores.yahoo.net/leetrytphota.html</a><br /><br />Another CC related site. 100's of autographs that I find a hard time believing are real. Maybe Richard or Shelley or another expert can tell us if they are legit.

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>Looks like all modern day stuff to me, so I really cannot help on that.<br /><br />---<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>DD</b><p><a href="http://dealbyauctionstore.stores.yahoo.net/joedimmicman.html" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://dealbyauctionstore.stores.yahoo.net/joedimmicman.html</a><br /><br />How about this one of Mantle, Dimaggio and Williams?

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Posted By: <b>Rich Klein</b><p>According to the link from Double D; Theodore Samuel Williams is still living and charges $250 at a show for a sig. If he is truly doing both; I'm a very willing buyer<br /><br />Regards<br />Rich

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>Dave - they are selling that Mantle-Williams-Dimaggio for $599.<br />I think a decimal point in front of the 5 and a dropping of the dollar sign would be more appropriate.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>ChuckMontoya</b><p>If I were to actually come across an authentic t206 Wagner, I'd consign to Coaches Corner. I mean, shouldn't a regular everyday joe have a chance at owning such a card? And of course that everyday joe would keep it until he could pass it on to another everyday joe and so on. See, I don't think you guys understand that there are thousands of incredibly altruistic people out there that are ready to pass on priceless family heirlooms to folks that would otherwise never have a chance at owning such memorabilia. I'm certain that the family who found the Beckett Wagner are beside themselves right now for not consigning with C.C. so that someone with less to spend couldd've had the opportunity for such a card! By the way, I live in Central Florida and I know of some prime waterfront property. There is lots of wildlife for you nature lovers and when the sun sets, it's an entymologist dream. The view is spectacular, as the last three hurricanes flattened er uh, let's just say it's been naturally cleared. Believe it or not, this land too, is available and priced so that an everyday regular joe can enjoy Sunny Florida. Just call 1-800-727-3963. <br /><br /><br /> Chuck Montoya<br />

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Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>I want to congratulate Mr Montoya for his future generosity, when he finds that Wagner card.<br />In the spirit of giving I too will contact Coaches Corner and consign my valuable collection. I want the people who cannot afford to bid in the high end auctions to be able to get great stuff too. And who has more great stuff than CC? And now they will have my great stuff too.<br />If I had known about their true reasons for existing I would have done this long ago. I want to thank Mr Morales and Mr Solis for explaining so clearly why the prices realized in CC auctions do not match the prices realized in every other auction in the hobby, even ebay. CC does not allow big bankroll collectors to bid. They must run a credit check to make sure their buyers do not have too much money, so that the regular joe can also buy Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Christy Mathewson, Josh Gibson and those other guys. And what makes CC so special is if one of the regular joe guys misses Christy Mathewson in April, well you know that more Christy will roll around in May, June, July and probably all year.<br />I wonder if Mr Solis has made his consignments to CC auctions, in the spirit of generosity. Mr Solis can you detail what items you have consigned to CC auctions so the hobbyists without the big bankrolls can also enjoy the hobby. How about that Hall of Fame ball on your website now? Give the economically deprived collector a shot at that. Or the Maris ball, or the Ruth ball. Or come to think of it how about almost every signed photograph on your website. And I know who you got them from too.<br />Be a good guy. Join the list of good guys which includes Mr Montoya and myself. Show us what you are made of Mr Solis.<br /><br />edited to add information about photographs on Solis website.<br />

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Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Man, what I wouldn't give to see Christopher Morales and Richard Solis on a witness stand saying those same things.

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>Anything I sell from my private collection will also now go to CC. <br />I want to follow the example of Shelly Jaffe, and allow the regular guys a chance.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>sean</b><p>Im laughing my head off. They are actually saying that Frank Caizziao (spell check) doesnt know what hes talking about! CC sells about 12 FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE beatles autographs an auction. Im passing this on to everyone I know so they can get a good laugh. LOVE IT!

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Posted By: <b>CS Bolay</b><p>Sheesh, these American Royal guys are darn serious...try punching 'Frank Caiazzo' into Google; a site called <br /><a href="http://www.frankcaiazzolawsuit.com/" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.frankcaiazzolawsuit.com/</a> appears at the very top, highlighted in yellow as a 'Sponsored Link.' <br /><br />Glancing through the material therein, it appears ARA or their legal team set up the site, as it seems to only present their side of the case. Are they deliberately trying to grab the top search result and hurt Caiazzo's credibility with anyone who looks for his website? <br /><br />And what could happen if they won? Could Morales supporters like CCSA, Xtremecollectibles, et al, eventually go after legit sports experts who question his shoddy work? <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=frank+caiazzo" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=frank+caiazzo</a>

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Posted By: <b>Ricky Y</b><p>After reading this article, my concerns have been alleviated. Now I know where I can consign my Martin Dihigo signed 2008 Masters Flag. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />Ricky Y

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>Based on my knowledge of the court system,, Frank Caizzo in his discovery motions can force ARA to open their records to him. They will have to reveal who sold them the Beatles album in question if the case goes that far. Does anyone think they really want to do that?<br />Same with CC, would they ever reveal their consignors? <br />All 4 of them.<br />If I am incorrect here, I hope the lawyers on the board will tell me.<br /><br />--<br /><br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>davidcycle</b><p>If the case goes through to the end, the accuser will have to divulge that information.

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>"the accuser will to divulge that information"<br /><br />David - will have to, or will not have to?<br /><br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>davidcycle</b><p>Will have to<br /><br />An inevitable question will be where the autographs came from, and the accuser will have to answer the question. A follow up question no doubt will be on the order of, "What other autographs did this person(s) consign" and that will have to be answered as well.<br /><br />From a purely practical standpoint, if the accuser could and did refuse to tell the court where he got any of the autographs, I don't see how he would win the case. To most in court that would look suspicious, to some really suspicious. Add to that that I don't know how someone would argue the authenticity of her high end autograph, game used or Pablo Picasso collection without discussing where the material came from. If a high end collection is authentic, the sources will typically support this. For example, you don't accumulate an authentic high end Picasso collection without having dealt with well known and respected dealers and auction houses. You couldn't gather a collection of 20 T206 Honus Wagners and Eddie Planks without going through well known and respected hobby figures.

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Posted By: <b>FGN</b><p>Why has nobody asked the obvious, most burning question . . . . Will SCD have the grapefruits to report on this article? Not only on the Caiazzo aspect but on the Morales/Coach's Corner angle as well.

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>SCD ??<br />No how, no way.<br />Ad revenue comes before integrity for SCD.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>shelly jaffe</b><p>Richard is correct. <br />SCD would never report this story, considering that it makes their biggest advertiser and his friends look like crap.

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Posted By: <b>FGN</b><p>Just in case the decide to prove Rich and Shell wrong I hope they do it really soon . . . only two issues left on my subscription.

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Posted By: <b>Sean C</b><p>Was the shot that CC took at Morales. From the article:<br /><br />But even the general manager of an auction house that sells scores of Morales-authenticated pieces each year says he doesn't have a lot of confidence in Morales.<br /><br />===================<br />"There are authenticators whose work seems better," says Lee Trythall of Coach's Corner. "There are guys who are more qualified."<br />===================<br /><br />Hmm, I wonder if this means that CC will be using a new authenticator soon (and yes, I shudder to think of who it may be).

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Posted By: <b>J Levine</b><p>Watching my first graders do a tracing project today...<br /><br />Seriously...it would take a maximum of 15 minutes to discredit Morales (and CC)...<br /><br />1. Set up webcam.<br />2. Get period paper (any flyleaf from any period book)<br />3. Get fountain pen and ink.<br />4. Turn on webcam.<br />5. Trace a Gibson (or any other auto. that is suspect from Morales and CC) onto paper using pen and ink.<br />6. Turn off webcam.<br />7. Consign to CC or send to Morales himself for authentication.<br />8. When accepted with COA and everything...post webcam video on youtube.<br />9. Post link here.<br />10. Laugh hysterically.<br /><br />Joshua

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Posted By: <b>CS Bolay</b><p>Huh, makes me wonder if Lee Joshgibsonbeatle-hall knows he was cornered and is trying to use the old Bullpen trick. 'It's the authenticator's fault!' <br /><br />They'll probably switch over to 100% STINK Authentic items (instead of half)...

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Posted By: <b>DD</b><p>I say that CC and Morales will not part ways. Lee took a shot at him, but Morales probably knows where all the bodies are buried. Could be his attempt to make Morales leave willingly, but there is probably too much money for him to do that.<br /><br />You can't have a conspiracy of one person. Either Morales is so incompetent that he truly believes these signatures are real, or he knows they are fake and has agreed to put his "stamp of approval" on it for the money.<br /><br />If it does come down to them splitting up, I hope they televise the conversation on Pay per view. I'd fork over $34.95 just for the chance to see some fireworks.

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Posted By: <b>Pscolgrafs</b><p>Shortly after the HBO Real Sports Special, didn't CCSA part ways with Frangipani? You didn't see anymore of his LOA's there. <br /><br />If they do part ways with Morales (who does little compared to STAT in regards to authenticating), what difference does it really make? None of these authenticating houses add anything to the value of CCSA's items. It's been about twenty years, you really think something will happen? <br /><br />Head's up, CCSA auction ends tonight so get those bids in! Especially on that Joe Jackson ball that was authenticated by a guy who the owner of the company doesn't really think all that much of!<br /><br /><br />

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Posted By: <b>J. McMurry</b><p>I believe I heard someone say that after op bullpen broke with The Donalds name all over it, SCD actually told CC to get another Authenticater or be gone. so...<br /><br />"meet the new boss, same as the old boss"<br /> -the Who

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Posted By: <b>Sean C</b><p>The exemplar used to certify this autograph:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.myccsa.com/pics/179/87029.jpg">

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>Now they are running George Washington autographs on a regular basis.<br />Guess the swine who is signing that is getting a lot of practice.<br />So many great Americans and wonderful baseball players seem to be holding private signings only in Pennsylvania. Wonder who they voted for in the primary?<br />--<br /><br />I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>Jodi Birkholm</b><p>Bag of Leaves?

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Posted By: <b>Jim VB</b><p>Richard, <br /><br />Personally, I am holding out for the authenticated George Washington signature on an official Bowie Kuhn ball.

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Posted By: <b>Jodi Birkholm</b><p>Well, while you're waiting, can I interest you in a Button Gwinnett jersey card? Each purchase comes accompanied by a gallon of gen-you-whine Elvis sweat!

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Posted By: <b>Richard S. Simon</b><p>The Washington went for $999. Not bad pay for 5 minutes of work, but a suckers price for a George Washington autograph.<br />I often wonder what makes a collector buy a Washington autograph for $999. Do they honesly believe they are getting a legitimate piece, when a dealer would pay $5000 for a legit cut. Do they do any homework at all?<br />Sometimes I think people are just too damn stupid for their own good.<br />Scary to think that these people can vote and drive cars.<br />--<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br />Unknown author <br />--<br />We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br />No retreat baby, no surrender.<br />The Boss

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Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>Or as H.L. Mencken put it:<br /><br />"No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." <br><br>Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>Does anybody know how I can contact Ron Keurajian ...and when is his Hall of Fame autograph book to be published????