Warning: Disturbing Autograph "Authentication" Material!

[Caseyatbat]

Travis, Yes I believe auction letters are not worth a darn. if you print out a quick opinion offered on ebay I believe it is worth the same as an auction letter. And it is not Spences fault the auction house decided not to fully authenticate the item. If someone is to blame here, I would blame the auction house. Such a valuable item should be fully authenticated to eliminate any doubt for the buyer and reduce their own responsibility. I am sure Spence would have rather fully authenticated the item and take pics for his registry, but that is up to the auction house. Is it possible they wanted auction letters for a reason? In this case, it is self explanatory why they would.

And yes I keep hearing about the same story over and over again about the Sayers autograph. Everybody knows it happened, at least they made good for it and took it off the market. That is one instance. And the 50 instances you mentioned, should not include items they turned down. Only should include the ones they did infact pass when they should not have. Which does not happen very often, but of course it does happen. Why? because if they have any doubt they usually don't pass it. Hence why so many people hate them. And I would rather keep it that way. If they start passing items they have doubt on, at what point does it stop? Next thing you know they would be passing everything and end up like the rest of terrible authenticators out there. I would rather them keep their standards strict and not forgiving.

[RickGallway]

Casey, it looks like your business (http://theautographexchange.com) is heavily invested in Spence "authenticated" items. You're free to defend him.

Btw, how old were you back in 1999?

[Caseyatbat]

Rick, thanks for understanding my defense. Yes that is one of my websites. But I do not "rely" on TPA's. I "self-authenticate" any item I buy beforehand. I don't buy items unless I am 100% confident in them. And then before I sell them, I issue them my own COA with a personal life-long guarantee. And then I also provide a major TPA full letter to go along with it for a variety of different reasons.

Also does it really matter how old I was in 1999? What matters is I am heavily invested in this hobby and deal with these types of autographs for a living. My life is autographs all day, everyday. Constantly researching and learning 7 days a week. When you are using your own money to put up for these types of autographs, believe me you take a pretty high level interest in learning what you are you doing. If a detective solves a crime from 30 years ago, does the judge say "actually detective, how old were you 30 years ago when the crime happened?" Or would the judge just take into account the detective is a professional and it is his job to know and solve the case.

[RickGallway]

Originally Posted by Caseyatbat

...But I do not "rely" on TPA's. I "self-authenticate" any item I buy beforehand. I don't buy items unless I am 100% confident in them. And then before I sell them, I issue them my own COA with a personal life-long guarantee.

Did you "self-authenticate" that Walter Johnson ball you're offering? It looks like the usual forgery that can be authenticated by JSA and the likes.

Oh, and trust me... your age DOES matter.

[travrosty]

Originally Posted by Caseyatbat

Rick, thanks for understanding my defense. Yes that is one of my websites. But I do not "rely" on TPA's. I "self-authenticate" any item I buy beforehand. I don't buy items unless I am 100% confident in them. And then before I sell them, I issue them my own COA with a personal life-long guarantee. And then I also provide a major TPA full letter to go along with it for a variety of different reasons.

Also does it really matter how old I was in 1999? What matters is I am heavily invested in this hobby and deal with these types of autographs for a living. My life is autographs all day, everyday. Constantly researching and learning 7 days a week. When you are using your own money to put up for these types of autographs, believe me you take a pretty high level interest in learning what you are you doing. If a detective solves a crime from 30 years ago, does the judge say "actually detective, how old were you 30 years ago when the crime happened?" Or would the judge just take into account the detective is a professional and it is his job to know and solve the case.

I just love the fact that every one of casey's posts end with the phrase, "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right!"

Does that include issuing loa's for very high priced sports memorabilia?

[Caseyatbat]

Travis, I did just get a nice chuckle from that last post. I got the quote from Tom Hanks in "A League of Their Own". Love that movie.

But to answer your question, I only use TPA's because the places I sell pretty much force sellers to. And since I like doing business there, I comply with their rules and don't risk not using them. I sell higher end items, and everybody just feels more comfortable with the TPA. That includes the places I sell them, my buyers themselves, and also makes me feel better about it as well when selling them. In the end, there are much more reasons for me to continue to use them, rather than the cons not to use them.

Wow, I am getting lots of heat on this topic, I may have to back off a little bit. Its like trying to stop marbles from rolling off a slanted table.

[mr2686]

Scott, I wonder if you would get an un-authentic rating if it was found to be trimmed?

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by mr2686

Scott, I wonder if you would get an un-authentic rating if it was found to be trimmed?

Yes, Mike and I would also imagine that the immediate necessary removal of said alphabet sticker would be bitch....