JSA Story on Autographalert.com

[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.

[RichardSimon]

I spent a lot of time educating myself.
I did not have the $$ that PSA had to advertise themselves into the position they now occupy.

[David Atkatz]

That's my point Richard. You became an expert. You didn't need their help to do it; they didn't even exist at the time.
They are unnecessary, and, in fact, have done much more harm than good.

[barrysloate]

David- I've always respected your knowledge in this hobby, and know you are an expert when it comes to Yankees memorabilia. And I know you put alot of time and effort into getting that knowledge.

But it's hard for me to look at the autograph hobby as anything but a very dangerous place to hang out. I never did collect autographs, and was never crazy about selling them. And I found this article truly frightening.

[J.McMurry]

The more disturbing aspect of this article to me is the fact that this site(for the second time that I know of) has attempted to paint C.Morales in a positive light.

It certainly lends creedence to the assertion the company will fail anything that has previously been certified by any other forensic examiner.

But the only items they sent in were from Morales, so where is the proof that they will reject everybody?

The "reliable" outfits have been rubber stamping Morales and others stuff fake for years, The screwup by JSA imo was by not refusing to accept the items for examination.

[HRBAKER]

It seems to me that they found on several of these items 10-12 reasons to question their authenticity where before they hadn't, same piece different result. Even when you factor out the personalities and the agendas - pretty eye opening.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

David- I've always respected your knowledge in this hobby, and know you are an expert when it comes to Yankees memorabilia. And I know you put alot of time and effort into getting that knowledge.

But it's hard for me to look at the autograph hobby as anything but a very dangerous place to hang out. I never did collect autographs, and was never crazy about selling them. And I found this article truly frightening.

Thanks very much for the kind words, Barry.
It's only frightening, though, if you rely on third party authenticators.

[ray1954]

I have to add my 2 cents. I have been collecting autographs for 25 years getting most of mine form the source - in person - so I know what I got. I do sell at times and found that if you have a JSA certification, your profit opportunity is greater. While I tell people I got the autograph myself, that is not good enough since there crooks on ebay that say the same thing. So, I bring some every now and then to Sports Shows and get stickers on them. I have found they do get some wrong. But again, it is only their opinion - I know what right or wrong (since I get the myself). Any expert in any field can occasionly get it wrong - just need to be right more times than wrong . But I just wanted to say - "it is what it is". If you are collecting autographs (just like anything else), rely on your own knowledge - learn and be your own expert. You will enjoy the hobby more.

-Ray