R E Question

[bufordraley]

My opinion is that I have had dealings with REA and JSA in the past and they are as honest and legit as they come. If they say the autographs are real....then they are real! Take it from someone who has spent thousands of $$$ on memorabilia.

[jetsticks]

My brother in law ran a memorabilia shop for years and used them for authenticating their merchandise. I held on to these photos until I thought the time was right to auction them off. Before doing that I contacted maybe 10 auction sites and visited a few more and REA was the only one who didn't want to just snatch up the photos without first authenticating them. They promised me nothing in return except a fair auction.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by bufordraley

My opinion is that I have had dealings with REA and JSA in the past and they are as honest and legit as they come. If they say the autographs are real....then they are real! Take it from someone who has spent thousands of $$$ on memorabilia.

Don't be so naive. Jimmie may be honest, but he is human. He has made many well-documented mistakes.

I suppose we can say this: "If Jimmie say's it's real, he believes it is real."

[bufordraley]

Simple solution: Have them re-authenticated by another firm. If they say they are real then the value will be even more!

[travrosty]

when jsa authenticated an old boxing signature from the late 19th century without any exemplars to go by, but still issued the cert stating that the signature compares to other exemplars they have seen, then is that being honest and legit? the item got pulled from auction when no exemplars could be found but psa and jsa had both issued certs!

when they authenticate a luis firpo boxing autograph that looks nothing like any the boxing hobby has ever seen in 50 years of cataloguing his signature, what is that? It was pulled from the auction in disgrace? Or how about the john l sullivan signed in fancy script when real john l sullivan handwriting is sloppy and almost illegible. he was asked about it and he said he had exemplars to match the fancy john l sullivan signature, but no he couldnt show them to anyone!!!

how did you vet spence other than a brother used him to authenticate? did you check into him at all. look at his skills and track record?

[jgmp123]

Originally Posted by bufordraley

My opinion is that I have had dealings with REA and JSA in the past and they are as honest and legit as they come. If they say the autographs are real....then they are real! Take it from someone who has spent thousands of $$$ on memorabilia.

So you spent thousands of $$$ on a COA? Makes sense to me.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by jgmp123

So you spent thousands of $$$ on a COA? Makes sense to me.

+1

[bufordraley]

I am a collector of memorabilia and I have spent thousands of dollars on such items. Before I buy anything, I make sure it is authenticated.

[HRBAKER]

This is a perfect example of how the market place has evolved with TPG, what is really meant is if they say it's real - the marketplace accepts and treats it as real (making it liquid).

[Leon]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

This is a perfect example of how the market place has evolved with TPG, what is really meant is if they say it's real - the marketplace accepts and treats it as real (making it liquid).

Same thing on the card side, the TPG's basically print money by their actions.

[travrosty]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

This is a perfect example of how the market place has evolved with TPG, what is really meant is if they say it's real - the marketplace accepts and treats it as real (making it liquid).

but that doesnt make it right.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by travrosty

but that doesnt make it right.

...........or real

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

This is a perfect example of how the market place has evolved with TPG, what is really meant is if they say it's real - the marketplace accepts and treats it as real (making it liquid).

TPA authenticated autographs are no longer historical artifacts. They are commodities, and the only thing you need know about them is that they can be easily resold down the line.

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

TPA authenticated autographs are no longer historical artifacts. They are commodities, and the only thing you need know about them is that they can be easily resold down the line.

Too true David. Reminds me of buying an old unopened bottle of wine for and investment. Might be vinegar and nobody's going to know for sure unless they open it...which probably isn't going to happen.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

TPA authenticated autographs are no longer historical artifacts. They are commodities, and the only thing you need know about them is that they can be easily resold down the line.

Well-stated.

It's easy to forget that 'collectors' are buying these things with no idea as to whether or not they are authentic - doubt many even care.

[Paulanthony]

Originally Posted by bufordraley

I am a collector of memorabilia and I have spent thousands of dollars on such items. Before I buy anything, I make sure it is authenticated.

Yikes.

[jetsticks]

James Graham...I sent you an e-mail. Let me know if you get it.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Paulanthony

Yikes.

This sort of comes to mind too.....(concerning LOA's in general, not this specific auction. I haven't even looked at it)

[travrosty]

Originally Posted by bufordraley

I am a collector of memorabilia and I have spent thousands of dollars on such items. Before I buy anything, I make sure it is authenticated.

by whom? just authenticated, by uncle frank or grandpa bob?