JSA Story on Autographalert.com

[David Atkatz]

You miss my point completely. I was quoting others on this thread. I am, if I do say so myself, an educated autograph collector--2011 will mark fifty years of collecting.

(And that 1927 Yankees baseball is one of the centerpieces of my collection.)

[oriolesbb6]

Probably did, but I am easily entertained.....

[Bilko G]

For the vast majority buying and selling autographs has just come down to buying and selling certs. It seems like the actual autograph doesn't mean much anymore, its the cert that means everything. If its certified authentic by PSA or JSA its money in the bank it seems.

[mighty bombjack]

Originally Posted by Bilko G

For the vast majority buying and selling autographs has just come down to buying and selling certs. It seems like the actual autograph doesn't mean much anymore, its the cert that means everything. If its certified authentic by PSA or JSA its money in the bank it seems.

Unfortunately, you're right. However, everyone should remember that third-party authentication is an expert opinion only. If one expects zero errors, they will be disappointed. However, I would like to point out that, while there have been unexcusable (and hopefully rare) "false positives" in the past, these cases are "false negatives," and I would prefer authentication companies to err on that side if at all.

I will echo an earlier poster and lament the far-reaching effect that Morales, STAT, and Coaches Corner are having on the hobby. Absolutely terrible.

In the end, while I have seen many shout "buy the card, not the holder" when it comes to grading, we have to remember to do the same with autos, although legitimacy itself is far less subjective than any grade.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by mighty bombjack

I will echo an earlier poster and lament the far-reaching effect that Morales, STAT, and Coaches Corner are having on the hobby. Absolutely terrible.

They are not the problem, and they've had no effect on the hobby, IMHO.
No "collector" buys their garbage. No one who is a member here, for example, is fooled by their crap.
The problem, again, IMO, is the total reliance placed upon the opinions of the "legitimate" authenticators, to the exclusion of all else. (Especially to the work required to develop and advance one's own expertise.)

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

They are not the problem, and they've had no effect on the hobby, IMHO.
No "collector" buys their garbage. No one who is a member here, for example, is fooled by their crap.
The problem, again, IMO, is the total reliance placed upon the opinions of the "legitimate" authenticators, to the exclusion of all else. (Especially to the work required to develop and advance one's own expertise.)

David -Take a look at some of the non ebay auction sites. Of course the people on this board would not buy from those sites but there is an effect on the hobby.
I have been told more than a few times that "I won't collect autographs anymore" by people who have been burned. They were collecting, they were trying to learn, but they got burnt. End of their story.

[David Atkatz]

Richard, how did you manage to get to where you are today without PSA and JSA?
If I decide tonight that I'd like to collect, say, Rolex wristwatches, and then, knowing nothing about them, buy one from a vendor on E. 65th Street, and find out later I was burned, whose fault is it?
I submit it would be mine, and not the fault of the guy who was more than happy to take my money.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

You miss my point completely. I was quoting others on this thread. I am, if I do say so myself, an educated autograph collector--2011 will mark fifty years of collecting.

(And that 1927 Yankees baseball is one of the centerpieces of my collection.)

Would you ever sell it without a cert from JSA or PSA?

[David Atkatz]

If I were to sell it, absolutely. No one who knows anything about autographs, would doubt its authenticity. And if someone wasn't interested because Jimmy Spence hadn't vetted it, so be it.
BTW, I was, years ago, offered $60,000 for it by a collector--with no cert. I didn't sell it. It will pass to my children.