Interesting Request: Documentation of Provenance in Your Collection for Article

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by drcy

The photos are good enough. There's nothing errant with wanting credit. I'd like credit if I provided photos of my stuff for someone's article and most people like to see their names in print. I just know that in the past a few people have asked that they not be credited. So I ask.

As far as Scott's comments go, the article is about all angles and sides of provenance documentation, the positive aspects (of which there are many, including some that many sports collectors don't realize) and the limitations. It doesn't dismiss the possibility that someone like Scott can forge a letter of provenance for his Mother Teresa/Elvis Presley/Shemp Howard signed original vinyl copy of The White Album or Vatican gift shop sales receipt for his first edition copy of the Old Testament signed by the author. And, of course, the number of eBay fakes "discovered in grandmother's cabinet" has become a running joke in the vintage baseball card hobby.

Anyone who's seen the classic 1980s British historical sit com Blackadder may remember the scene where the Middle Ages Bishop of Canterberry and his assistants were talking about their sales of fake religious artifacts to the public. They had for sale Jesus' fingers (in boxes of five, several boxes for sale) and Joan of Arc's bra.

Duly note the article is largely about the importance of documenting provenance.

Your Vatican comment reminded me of my piece of the true Cross that has the original letter of provenance from the street vendor my ancestor bought it from in Constantinople. I suspect the letter might be fake, though.

Also, why do you keep making fun of my Bible? And it's the editor who signed it, not the author - big difference.

[shelly]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Your Vatican comment reminded me of my piece of the true Cross that has the original letter of provenance from the street vendor my ancestor bought it from in Constantinople. I suspect the letter might be fake, though.

Also, why do you keep making fun of my Bible? And it's the editor who signed it, not the author - big difference.

When I was at the Vatican they where trying to sell me a piece of the Yakama that Jesus wore, it had a coa from Peter.

[David Atkatz]

Email sent.

[billyb]

David,
When will this article go to print.

[drcy]

Instead of the author signed first edition Bible, I nearly said an Anne Frank signed copy of Mein Kampf, but refrained.

For the record, I'm a fan of Anne Frank and her diary is my favorite non-fiction book, so you can refrain from your pc howls of protests. Sometimes a joke is just a joke. Besides I was clearly using outlandish examples. Everyone knows Shemp hated The White Album and would never sign it. He was a Doors guy.

I haven't written the article yet and don't know when it will go out. Maybe a week.

[ethicsprof]

Originally Posted by shelly

When I was at the Vatican they where trying to sell me a piece of the Yakama that Jesus wore, it had a coa from Peter.

I've seen the word 'yarmulke' and even 'yamaka' and a few other variations but never 'yakama'. Perhaps a neologism?

all the best,
barry

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by shelly

When I was at the Vatican they where trying to sell me a piece of the Yakama that Jesus wore, it had a coa from Peter.

LOL

[keating3620]

the COA would come from Judas Mastro

[Michael B]

Or perhaps COA from Drew Maximus, Pontus Pilate Signatures Authenticated aka P(P)SA or Judas Iscariot Signatures Authenticated aka J(I)SA

[drcy]

There are a lot of interesting aspects to provenance. I give hobby examples where revelation of the provenance has shown auction items to be fake or altered, and one where a collector's research into the history of an item he purchased online proved it authentic and substantially raised its resale vale. He wrote to the organization listed on the item and was in for a pleasant surprise.