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Posted By: Dave Grob

There may be a number of reasons, but none of them are good. I am talking about what happens when an auction house lists more people as having looked at an item than actually did. Sad to say, this has been a problem in the past and appears to remain one for the time being. In working within in the hobby last year, it came to my attention. The folks at SCDA, much to their credit, realized this as well and informed auction houses that they could only list the person or persons who actually worked with the item in 2005.

In the case of the current Bricol Auction, which has placed a note on the game used forum, they list both Dave Bushing and Dan Knoll as having authenticated for them. Dan Knoll did not make the trip to look at their consignments. His name appears in the printed catalog and the on-line descriptions. I spoke with the head of SCDA, Mr. Troy Kinunen about this. He said he has been in contact with Bricol about this and they have agreed to be more diligent and accurate in the future. Mr. Kinunen has informed me that Hunt’s Auction is also working to correct this for their upcoming auction in some manner as both Bushing and Knoll are listed as well.

This is unfair to a number of folks, besides the collectors. For the authenticator who did the work, he should deserve the credit or notoriety for his efforts. In the case of the auction house, if there is a problem with a lot, they should not expect that a person who is listed but did not see the item to help them resolve any problems surrounding it. The collector has a right to expect that his decision to bid or not is an informed one. If he feels more comfortable knowing more than person looked at an item; that in fact must be the case.

This is not an attempt to paint any one person or auction house in a negative light. I am trying to show that their have been problems with the process and that many realize this and are working to correct it…It just hasn’t happened yet.

Collectors do have a role in this. In the past, if you bid on and won an item that was to have been looked at by more than one person, yet when you got it, the Letter of Opinion (that’s what I call them) was not signed by all involved, you should have brought it to the attention of the both the auction house and the authentication service. Even if you were very happy with the item as being as described. Collectors who are becoming disillusioned is bad for the hobby. It is even worse when we know and do nothing about it. I ask that you get involved in more than just spending money.

I am not advocating that you stay away from these auctions if you are comfortable with any lot, I personally like a number of the flannels both are offering. You should not be happy with the process, and if you aren’t…make your feelings known either in this forum or with the parties directly.