spence authentication knowledge or reputation

[RichardSimon]

I was on jury duty in NYC.
I was called for a very famous case, and due to the hardship that it would create for me(3 months of jury duty) I was excused from the case.
I followed the case in the newspapers.
Both sides in the case had "handwriting experts" testifying.
The defendant's expert testified that yes the questioned document was legitimate and the prosecution expert said no it was not legitimate.
The point being that "handwiting experts" can be bought and paid for and if you shop for one you can find one to give you the opinion you want.
The defendant was found guilty meaning his expert who said the document was legitimate was probably not believed by the jury.
As an authenticator I only accept autographs for examination that I am familar with. I do not deem myself to be an expert in many types of autographs and I don't maintain a big staff or have a large advertising budget like my esteemed competitors.

[murphusa]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

As an authenticator I only accept autographs for examination that I am familar with. I do not deem myself to be an expert in many types of autographs and I don't maintain a big staff or have a large advertising budget like my esteemed competitors.

Throughtout the years, I have purchased 6 items from Richard Simon and had 1 other item authenticated.

I have sold 6 of the items each with only the letter/card from Richard and never once did any of the buyers question the item authenticity.

No one asked me for a document or opinion from a so called "Major", Why?

I had the best

[GrayGhost]

It all still boils down to an opinion. The "big boys" have knowledge, yes, but make mistakes too just like anyone. Common sense is something many autograph buyers lack, and they should also research signatures. That said, JSA, PSA/DNA are the biggest because they do have a HUGE budget and knowledge too. But, people like Richard are just as good, w/out the "huge staff" as he stated, plus limiting to what he knows. (Ive heard of JSA authenticating Rock and Roll sigs too, they r experts in that area?).

In the end, its who you are comftorable with, and for the buyer, the same thing. Apart from some like Morales and others who certify many "patently bad sigs", make your best choice and enjoy collecting.

[chaddurbin]

Originally Posted by murphusa

Throughtout the years, I have purchased 6 items from Richard Simon and had 1 other item authenticated.

I have sold 6 of the items each with only the letter/card from Richard and never once did any of the buyers question the item authenticity.

No one asked me for a document or opinion from a so called "Major", Why?

I had the best

all fine and dandy, but can richard give his opinion in 3 secs flat? that's the true test of a real expert...

[murphusa]

on some things I would guess yes

[RichardSimon]

I was on a short vacation guys, just got back, so this response is a little delayed.
On bad forgeries, 3 seconds or less is enough time to be able to give an informed opinion.
Anything else does take more time, sometimes considerably more time.
That is what my exemplar file is for.

[chaddurbin]

i was making a joke with the 3 sec thing as that's how long it took an "expert" to reject OP's ali sig.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

i was making a joke with the 3 sec thing as that's how long it took an "expert" to reject OP's ali sig.

I understood that.
Just wanted to clarify that on occasion 3 seconds is all it takes with some of the forgeries I do see.
There are times I can even name the forger in that amount of time.
When you see someone's forgeries for so many years you know what his crap looks like.