In light of recent revelations are you more or less confident in TPA?

[RichardSimon]

In light of Halls of Shame and other stories about TPA autograph authentication what are your feelings about TPA authentication now?

[GrayGhost]

I still think they serve a valuable purpose overall. But, I think one big thing is, well two actually, First, NOBODY is infallible. No alphabet guys, or any TPA. Second, education and buying from people you TRUST who stand by their stuff on their OWN MERITS, not just some outside TPA, has become more and more important.

[travrosty]

I think they have shown a propensity to go far beyond the "we are human and make an occasional mistake." the blunders are too big and too close together to be accidental. Not saying they are intentional, but maybe are a result of neglect or dereliction of duty. They authenticate too fast without researching an item thoroughly enough, and it seems like they prefer to believe a backstory if the item is submitted to them from someone they know or an auction house. It's what gets them into trouble.

[mark evans]

As to cards, I think the reputable grading companies do an effective job of identifying reprints and alterations. Grading, on the other hand, by its very nature is so subjective in my view that it's impossible to assess their performance.

Collecting autographs, I have come to believe, is an inherently risky business. I'm sure those risks can be mitigated to a large degree by buying from reputable dealers. I would not put a whole lot of stock in TPAs, especially as to valuable items where there is great incentive to skilled forgers.

[Caseyatbat]

I still don't know how to feel about the whole "Operation Bambino" thing right now. We know one thing, Ruth was a pretty inconsistent signer for the most part. With several different variations over only a short period of time. For somebody that had only "8" letters in his entire name to sign, he sure did sign them differently often. But on the other hand, his hand was huge and he was a lefty. So I guess he was not built to have the greatest penmanship.

I wish they used examples of Ruth autographs on baseballs to compare the examples in question in their articles. They seemed to have used mostly signed documents and flats, which really is not the greatest comparison when comparing to all signed baseballs.

All the examples they are calling into question, for the most part you can find several Ruth examples that do support the questioned examples in the article. I guess the problem is, how do we know the examples we are using are authentic?

What do you guys think about this Ruth autograph compared to the record breaker Ruth. Any similarities? Was it perhaps signed with the same pen? on the same day? If so, was the day in 1948 or in the 90's?

(I took the second picture with my cell phone, so it has some glare) But the original auction posting can be found at: www.liveauctioneers.com/item/195440

[vintagechris]

I voted for about the same. As someone who has bought several autographed card lots from auction houses, It appears to me that the TPA's have gotten very lazy or worse.

I have seen some things pass that there could have been no way that actually looked at the items.

I would be interested in knowing the actual process of what happens when these authenticators look at these things for auction houses.

I know we have a member who works for an auction house, maybe he will chime in.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by vintagechris

I would be interested in knowing the actual process of what happens when these authenticators look at these things for auction houses.

I am just going to repeat what I have said earlier. Having authenticated for several auction houses (not the big name ones) American Memorabilia did place pressure on our team of three authenticators to pass items. This led to constant shouting matches and eventually to the team leaving Am. Mem.
I am not casting aspersions on other auction houses because I honestly do not know if what I described ever took place at any other auction house. I also authenticated for Phillips Gallery, Guernseys and Clean Sweep. None of those auction houses ever put any pressure on me to authenticate any items.