Posted By:
David AtkatzI completely disagree, Daniel. And the idea that an autograph is not genuine unless some kid at PSA or Jimmy Spence says it is is alarming, if not absurd.
I have seen both major authenticators "OK" a well-known 1940 Gehrig rubber-stamp signature. I'm sure you'll agree that the fact that the stamped "signature" was then "re-sellable" in no way made it genuine.
It behooves any serious collector to become knowledgeable enough to trust his own judgment over that of the kids that work at PSA or JSA.
Not knowing your own collecting material well enough to trust yourself, but rather relying on a third party to ensure that what you buy is "real" and can be resold is not collecting. It's investing. And, I believe, it's not investing wisely.