ok, I have a legit question about help here....

[HexsHeroes]

.

... and I will "third" that sentiment. It's commendable to use your own resources and objectivity when analyzing a signature for possible authenticity, but you cannot put a value on the many years of hands-on experience that Richard or Jim have when viewing the same signature, and sharing their opinion (whether paid for, or not).

[drc]

I understood Leon's post, and wondered the same thing a few times-- with folks posting their autographs online.

I'm not an autograph expert, but people ask me for opinions on other items. I don't and can't say something is authentic from a digital photo, so the owner can't use my email or board opinion as an LOA. Posting an answer on this board isn't the same as giving away a free LOA, because no one's going to write an LOA for an item he hasn't seen in person.

[MooseDog]

Leon -

I'm one of those who recently posted for help.

From my point of view, I will gladly offer my help on autographs I know I have an expertise at - namely 1960s and 1970s baseball and hockey and Hall of Fame autographs. I also enjoy deciphering group autographs.

I'm very thankful that there are guys like Richard and Jim who are willing to share their expertise here.

The other point that needs to be made in regards to autographs is that one seemingly has to pay a "tax" to PSA or JSA in order to realize decent money for vintage autographs. However in order to get their "approval" you have to pay "authentication fees" that are not refundable. PSA will often give credit if you pay to have a card graded and it comes back trimmed or not authentic. Not so with autographs. You are paying for an opinion, and if that opinion is not good, you lose the (not insignificant) "fee".

Gettting/sharing opinions in a forum such as this can end up saving collectors a lot of money.

PS. And Leon, thanks to you for setting up this Autograph Forum.

[jgmp123]

Leon,

I have asked for assistance in the past and Richard and Jim, as well as many others have been very helpful. I would gladly pay for this service if it was required, but I do agree that collectors are able to help each other out and we look at this as a special community that benefits from helping each other.

[7nohitter]

Let's also remember that they certainly do NOT have to give their opinion if they don't want to. I think they choose to because they are good guys and are more than willing to help out. In fact, I made a purchase from Richard Simon a month or two ago because of his presence on these boards.

[jgmp123]

Originally Posted by 7nohitter

Let's also remember that they certainly do NOT have to give their opinion if they don't want to. I think they choose to because they are good guys and are more than willing to help out. In fact, I made a purchase from Richard Simon a month or two ago because of his presence on these boards.

Agree! I recently purchased a few things from Richard...I have also been added to Jim's email mailing list. These guys have great items to offer along with amazing advice.

I would also say that a big use of this site for me is to help educate myself on signatures to recognize myself. If you are one of the individuals posting asking "is this real", follow up with a DM asking why...educate yourself, so that the next time you are at a swap meat, trade show, Ebay, etc. You can have the knowledge to tell for yourself if it is real or not.

[drc]

Another point is they get good will and promotion out of it. This is a widely read board, with even folks from the PSA board regularly reading it. I'm sure they get new customers and positive word of mouth out of it.

Though the autograph section is new, overall this is an old time and well respected board with many well known hobby participants-- Bob Lemke, Bill Mastro and Josh Evans have posted here. So there is benefit to joining the board and demonstrating your knowledge.

But, as has already been said, a member can participate as much, as little and how he wishes. If Richard decides today to quit offering opinions on autographs, it's not as if we can have him arrested.

[packs]

If we're supposed to be a community I don't think it's stepping over the line to ask your fellow collector friends what they think about a signature. People can always choose not to respond.

[JimStinson]

Pardon me for saying this but since my name has been mentioned I'd like to add my 2 cents. If a complete stranger is walking down the street next to me and I have a watch and he dosen;t , and he asks me what time it is, I'm not going to say "I know what time it is and for $20.00 I'll tell you" (smile) That would be silly, I'd tell him what time it is or at least WHAT TIME MY WATCH SAYS IT IS......Does my charging him $20.00 make what time it is more valuable ? or more correct ? If I charged him $100.00 he would REALLY believe what time it was for SURE because I'd be wearing a rolex. Speaking of watches mine is a Bulova and it needs a battery because I've been too lazy to get one.

[Scott Garner]

[QUOTE=MooseDog;1006004]Leon -

I'm one of those who recently posted for help.

From my point of view, I will gladly offer my help on autographs I know I have an expertise at - namely 1960s and 1970s baseball and hockey and Hall of Fame autographs. I also enjoy deciphering group autographs.

I'm very thankful that there are guys like Richard and Jim who are willing to share their expertise here.

The other point that needs to be made in regards to autographs is that one seemingly has to pay a "tax" to PSA or JSA in order to realize decent money for vintage autographs. However in order to get their "approval" you have to pay "authentication fees" that are not refundable. PSA will often give credit if you pay to have a card graded and it comes back trimmed or not authentic. Not so with autographs. You are paying for an opinion, and if that opinion is not good, you lose the (not insignificant) "fee".

Gettting/sharing opinions in a forum such as this can end up saving collectors a lot of money.

+1

[travrosty]

It is a tax, most people pay the tax to get the cert, but you dont have to pay the tax. I don't pay that tax. I got two certs from a exSPENSive service before, and the items sold for the same if I didn't have the cert and didn't pay the tax.

I choose not to pay the tribute, because either I know the autograph is good before I send it in, and I don't need them to tell me it's good. Or if I didn't know, I sure wouldn't trust them to know seeing all the FUBAR's I have seen over the last few years with a cert from them, and I don't care if it's babe ruth, ty cobb, or Willie Mays Hayes.