What are YOUR thoughts on aftermarket autographs?
 

What are YOUR thoughts on aftermarket autographs? I mean, even if they are slabbed authentic by a TPA, what are the chances it is actually authentic? I say after market autographs (unless you get them in person signed of course) are 50/50 chance they are authentic even if slabbed. I say that because TPAs are “only” an opinion service.

Another example is, would you rather have a Nolan Ryan signed topps cars that is:

A. Signed but not TPA authenticated
B. Signed but authenticated and slabbed by a TPA
C. A Topps certified autograph (one you get in a pack of cards)

Your thoughts on this?

At the end of the day; we can't have 100% knowledge on if its real or not; but i feel like certified autos; pack pulled; are the closest we can get. Yeah there's been some outliers; but people are quick to figure those out; and i don't think they'd risk having fake autos in their product. Those are just my two cents though.

Perfectly fine. I do not look at who authenticated them, or if they're even authenticated at all. While it's a given that TPA assists in resale for a large audience, it's not something I need to have. I just use my own experience and study to ascertain if I feel something is truly authentic or otherwise. If need be, I'll consult my exemplar files to assist in the process.

There are some things that I may have reservations about buying a piece that hasn't been authenticated without having the item in hand, however. These items tend to be pricier, top tier, high-demand HOFers. In these cases, it's nice to see that a TPA has had the chance to look at them if I am not close by to examine in person. Not everything, but certain things. Think Ruth and Gehrig cuts, and things of that nature. They may look great in photos/scans, but could themselves be scanned, laser printer copies of the genuine article. Unless you can locate the original signature used to make the reprint and have your "a-ha!" moment, you have to just be more and more careful.

See my earlier thread entitled 'faith in 'upstream' authenticators?'

I can remember when there was no ‘market’ before or after when it came to autographs. When did it become a de facto standard that an autograph has to be a ‘market’ autograph?

I have between 3 - 4 K of autograph cards (majority minor league players on minor and major league card company cards.). All signed and witnessed by me. It does not make them any less of an autographed card because someone has not ‘authenticated’ it.

Want to sell it and get as much out of an autograph card that you can, then get it authenticated.

I can post two Ron Hassey autographed cards I obtained in person. One is great one is scribble goop both signed by Ron at the same time. Both are authentic, but boy howdy you’d be hard pressed to believe they were from the same person.

But again, no TPC authentication needed. I was there, he was there, he signed them both.

Butch

My thoughts? I just say "No!" to them all - unless they're free.

;)