Posted By:
mcavoyI agree, whether Mr Bushing does or does not have a Master's degree, the degree does not reflect his ability to evaluate bats; however, the claims of his completed degree are a public signal of his ability (he gets respect from archives with such claims, I am sure), and imo reflect credibility.
Suppose, Mr. A has an item with Mr. Bushing's signature attesting to provenance of a bat from 2002, which he relied upon. In court,
Lawyer: During 2002, your bio states you have a Master's degree.
Bushing: I completed all the requirements.
Lawyer: You do not have a Master's degree. How do we believe your claims in your letter you wrote during 2002 about this bat?
Bushing: I looked at the bat and studied its characteristics.
As my good buddy used to say: Gaaaammmmmeeeeee Ovvvvvvvvvvverrrrrrrrrrrrr