+1

+1

Anyways, back to the original topic of this thread....I just ran across some GFA authenticated items for the first time since I learned about their existence. Thought you guys would like to see some of their work.

http://skystuff.skyauction.com/iSynA...ctionId=541912

http://skystuff.skyauction.com/iSynA...ctionId=542509

http://skystuff.skyauction.com/iSynA...ctionId=542519

Same exact stuff as the prime online auction for this stuff, I won't give them undue publicity by naming them.
Skyauction.com is a travel site, so happy to see them in the autograph business, what could be better? :D

one further comment
 

One further comment on the subject of arguing. I re-read my last post and it probably singled David out a bit too much. My main message was supposed to be that I want everyone to quit bickering so much. However that happens, I don't care. Please carry on....but I have my eye on it. :) thanks ya'll....

So is the GFA sticker supposed to resurrect tainted Global Authentics stock?

When the memorabilia side was first created there was never any fighting, and we always had interesting discussions about photos, books, 19th century pieces, and the like. Now a bunch of autograph guys have hijacked this whole side of the board. All we have is our daily thread about fradulent autographs, then the same people get into their daily pissing match. I really hate what you guys are doing to the memorabilia side. It's no longer fun to hang out here unless you are in the mood to watch a trainwreck. I hate autographs and think you all have become a pain in the ass.

agreed,

I couldn't agree more Barry. Well, I guess that just makes us a couple of sentimental old farts... :)

I find the drama, personal fights and evil people writing anonymous blogs too much, but the subject of autographs on this board I find interesting. So I have nothing against autographs being a topic here.

Make it three...

I remember (seems like yesterday) that we on the Memorabilia side took pride in not quibbling and fighting like the "Card Guys". This was known as the civil side of the board. It was basically a place that collectors could come to share information and help others with questions. Too bad it had to change gears so quickly.

I like vintage autographs too, but it does seem that 90% of the fighting, accusations, name calling and drama come from the autograph threads. Many of the frequent autograph posters seem to have an "agenda" that over-rides any potential enjoyment they are deriving from the hobby.

Last I checked, hobbies were for relaxation, recreation and enjoyment. What's happening here is more like a war :(

I wasn't suggesting that autographs aren't a fair topic of discussion, as they are an important area of the hobby. And since the level of fraud is epidemic, it's fair game to point out some of the bad ones. But it's the tenor of these threads I don't like. The same guys every day are ragging on each other, and frankly the only thing I can think of to say is that you guys are becoming really boring.

I for one have probably been one of the most out spoken and seemingly against Travis & David. I AM NOT. I am going tone down the rhetoric.

After further review and not letting my emotions get in the way, I can see where David has a bone to pick with PSA & JSA. If they cost me the kind of money, they cost him on the 27 Yankee ball fiasco, I'd be pretty pissed about it too and I'd regularly speak out about their sloppiness and lackadaisical mistakes. I just wish he wouldn't rail against Richard & Chris, because they are great assets to the hobby and have so much to offer as well.

I also have great respect for Travis & his knowledge on Boxing even though he regularly bashes me and I bash him. Boxing is his passion and PSA & JSA apparently suck at Boxing, so I do get his focus. I just wish he would speak out about ALL forgeries a little more, which are always rampant.

The FDE forgeries are just as important to focus on. Once they are outed, guys like MORALESS, AAU, STAT (they turn to TTA), Birdsick they seemingly go away for a bit and then BANG Tbhey are back on another website or you have new fraudulent FDE's coming out of the woodwork like CSC & ACE pops up and rear their ugly heads. IT IS A BIG Never ending problem & we can thank Chris for helping to spearhead this effort.

Richard is against 3rd party to some degree, but does understand they are the lesser of two evils and regularly "tells it like it really is". He is respected by almost everyone in the hobby and rightfully so.

All in all we are really lucky that these guys put themselves out there and contribute on this board, which is really the standard, by which all blogging is measured. Thanks to all four of you guys, for your passion. FUDD. Happy Super Bowl.

Thank you Chuck, I do appreciate your kind words and the sense of humor you have shown in many of your earlier posts.
Chuck you referred to ACE as an FDE, they are not an FDE.

I wrote to this new company, GFA, 5 days ago from the contact page on their website, asking how to submit autographs for authentication.
I am still waiting for a reply.
It appears to me that they are not looking for retail collector business.

Open appeal to steve rocchi
 

Steve - it would be great if you came here to Net54 and explained to us why e mails are not being answered and what the goals of your company are.
I suspect that many people read this board who never post and hope that you are one of them.
Let us hear from you, it would be very helpful to your new endeavor if we had an idea where it was headed. So far only a couple of your certs have appeared on a site that I prefer not to name because they deserve no publicity from me

COME ON MR ROCCHI,, we are calling for an appearance.
 

Steve - we now see your certs all over that infamous website,,, the one I shall never name,, but its the one where Birdsick used to operate.
Care to explain yourself now?

Stephen Rocchi Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators LLC Mickey Mantle
 

Did Stephen Rocchi and his Forensic Experts really forensically examine the below Mickey Mantle signed photo and certify it as authentic?

We have seen that same Mickey Mantle signed photograph "authenticated" by Nicholas Burczyk, Chris Morales, Ted Taylor and Drew Max.

Please note that I will not show the link where this originates from. But for my own files, I have printed the entire auction page.

Attachment 56996

Attachment 56997

Attachment 56998

Attachment 56999

Gee, it already had a Global sticker, how much authenticatin' can one pic get??

Ken

Maybe somebody resubmitted it to GFA for their money back guarantee, and Global was chosen as the authorized 3rd party.:D

From their website....
"In the event the purchaser of a GFA authenticated signature believes that the signature is not genuine with respect to GFA standards and procedures, he/she may submit the signature through the GFA “Guarantee Resubmission” service and GFA will submit the signature to an authorized 3rd party forensic authenticator for additional examination.

If authenticity is determined under such “Guarantee Resubmission” procedures to be found non-authentic, GFA shall pay the purchase price for the autograph in question or at the owner of the signature’s option to replace the signature with a GFA authenticated signature of the original signer of similar item and value."

'cept GAI can be called many things but forensic is not one of them.
So the GFA people don't need GAI but we are all still wondering what forensic authenticator is the alternate that they babble about.
It is six days now since I wrote to them asking about how to submit and I am still waiting for an answer.
That customer service dept. must be sooooo busy,,,
Hey Steve,,, what's up? Apparently nothing but same s--- different company.

A guess is the photo is stock leftover from GAI and/or its owners. I said a guess.

Stephen Rocchi GFA, Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators
 

Well I guess Stephen Rocchi (GFA) and his team of Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators are up and running.

They forensically authenticated another one of these Mantle signed photographs. What a piece of garbage. Mr. Rocchi, maybe you can come over here and explain to us the forensic techniques used to "authenticate" the below Mantle autograph?

Attachment 57372

Attachment 57373

Attachment 57374

It didn't take long for this matter to become clear.

SSDFE

It started with Birdsick and then ---->> GFA.
And Mr Rocchi's firm does not answer their e mail and most obviously does not want any public submissions or contact.
And I bet he reads this site.

Chris - if you look at the auction ad you can see it is an autogrape , not necessarily an autograph.
Perhaps the authenticators thought they were working with fruit.

I bet Mr. Rocchi reads this. I hope he does.

so....GFA is no good?

I love the $1800 compare price while theirs is only bringing $23. Just plain silly!!!

And those things (I won't call them autographs) used to flood ebay with amateur sellers trying to make a killing. They saw these auctions paid little $ for these items and tried to sell them on ebay, using the same compare at $1800 wording in their ebay ads.
Simply foolish, not to mention stupid.