I know this is not new news for the autograph hobby as it is well known by now that Mike Frost, aka Michael Feigenbaum (accordoing to court records has been forging the signatures of Mickey Mantle on baseballs..

I'm not happy to write this story because the last time I wrote a story about Mike Frost he responded with a horrific story that only someone with a sick mind could not only think it up, but put it in print. As I was co-founder of the autograph club, IACC/DA, and Frost was theTreasurer. The club had a deposit of $50,000 for the sharing of the clubs fabulous reference files, exemplars and library. Frost was the ONLY person who could issue a club check. Only Frost had possession of the club's check book. I noticed Frost was writing checks to his brother for a few thouand dollars each.  After questioning Frost about the checks, he immediately drained the balance in the account down to something infinitesimal.  I was forced to close a very popular club.

After making this public, Frost flooded the internet with fabrications, such as I was caught in a Florida men's room  touching two underaged boys. Another was that I was under investigation by the FBI.  He went as low as stating my wife was a prostitute. I guess I was lucky as he didn't pull a pistol on me as he did with another Florida autograph dealer.

Back to our headline. During a visit to Frost's store in Florida, he had a large steel file cabinet with four shelves, in his office. The cabinet was chock full of baseball's, each having a few words and signed "Mickey Mantle." Taking a closer look, I was shocked.  I personally saw and held in my hand, baseballs with the writing: "Joe DiMaggio Sucks Mickey Mantle",  "Willie Mays Sucks Mickey Mantle", Marilyn Monroe Sucks Mickey Mantle" and so forth.

My question to Frost, as he stood there smiling and giggling was "I'm going to sell them but not till Mantle is dead!" And that he did!  My estimate  was that I saw betwen 100 and 125 signed balls. A recent  sale of a Frost signed Mantle ball is being offered on eBay for $799.  Times that by 125 balls and we come to $99,875. Some of these balls sold for more right after Mantle's passing.

Most everyone in the sport's industry knows that Frost forged Mantle balls but no one has taken to task how a Frost forgery Mickey Mantle ball compares to a genuine signed ball. 

See illustration below.

The Mickey Mantle No.7 signed baseball is genuine..

If you know Mantle's handwriting you will instantly notice the poor attempt to copy Mantle's handwriting. The "B" in Ball, the "s" in sucker and horrific "r" in sucker isn't even trying to look genuine.

To finalize the poor quality of this forgery one only has to study the first name of Mickey..

Notice the first loop of the "M' is well below the beginning look of a quarter moon.. On  a genuine Mantle signed ball the first part on the "M' is well above the quarter moon. On a genuine Mantle signed ball, the "i" is usually straight up and not leaning to the right.. The "c" on a genuine signed ball is nicly formed.

 Frost's "c" resembles a slightly open "e."

Frost's "k" not only leans to the right but is mis-shaped. Look how the two tops of the "k" in Frost's forgery have the same hight.

Frost's "e" apppears to look like an "i" and is not open like in an original Mickey.

Frost's "y", don't kow what he was thinking as it is without question not finished. Also on the genuine example the ending of the "y". exstends above the signature.

It is my opinion that Frost would like you to believe that Mantle was nervous writing filthy messages about his friends on balls that his signature reflects his feelings.at the time. Frost stated that Mantle was drunk when writing and signing these balls.  Also Mantle could never have the patience to sit at one sitting and accomplish this project.  Do you also think Mantle would write, while drunk or not, such horrible things about his former teammates? 

Collectors who purchased these balls had to be more excited about seeing what Mantle was writing and gave less attention to the actual autograph.

Bottom line is Mike Frost is a very poor forger,  yet still thinks he beat the system.

After talking to serious autograph dealers on both sides of the Atlantic, there is no question whatsoever that the hobby of collecting autographs is in a downward spiral.

There are several reasons for this.

Some of the seasoned professional autograph dealers are closing their doors.

The older collectors from the 70's to the present pretty much have what they need and are only purchasing autographs where prices have been reduced or upgrading a signature that they alreay have.

The new generation is not interested in collecting autographs. The younger crowd seems more interested in items like Pokemon.

Lack of positive articles in a trade publication. A perfect example is Autograph Colletor Magazine. It appears they enjoy leaning towards the dark side of the hobby. It seems to specialize in attacking dealers who don't support them or will not pay for advertising in the newsletter.   The owner of the site, Steve Cyrkin, destroyed the print copy of Autograph Collector, partly for having stories in his magazine with a question and if a reader got the correct answer they would receive an autograph as a prize. But the problem was that the autograph was a forgery.  Often Cyrkin created different email names to attack dealers. The number of fake email names might shock you.  Then he would use a different email name, to answer his first email.  It's all negative on purpose. Cyrkin even dropped the ball and admitted that others who support him are doing the same thing. One of them is a very high profile seller of autographs in the northeast. Cyrkin and is cohort hope their sophmoric readers fall for the attacks and believe what they read.  Cyrkin, an admitted alcoholic, will also create false stories about certain dealers that don't support him.  

The existance of so-called inexperienced persons hired to be called autograph authenticators  is very common. Many, many collectors have left the hobby after having a horrific experience with all the companies who claim to authenticate autographs.

One of the finest books on autograph collecting Collecting Historical Autographs, What to Buy, What to Pay, and How to Spot Fakes writen by award winning author Ron Keurajian in  2016 says it best. "Authenication companies, with numb-minded experts, cerify countless forgeries as genuine."

Some collectors have had enough with dealing with autograph authenticating companies.

You must understand that just because a company lists a name of an individual on their website that it doesn't mean that person is actively  authenticating autographs for them.

For example, one well known individual, known as a "publicity whore" has their name published as one of the authenticators for multiple authenticating companies.  He does very little or basically nothing of actually authenticating autographs for the company, but will claim he is available if necessary.  One instance at a show, a representative for the authencating compnay stated that this specific authenticator was in the booth behind the curtain. The collector knew that wasn't true because the autenticator was not attending the show.  Days after the show ended the collector called the authenticator and told him what the company clerk said. The response from the authenticator was shocking. He said "Technically I was available in the booth, they just had to go back in the booth and call me on the phone."

In one specific case ths same authenticator contacted a group who authenticates autographs and asked if he could be listed as an authenticator. There was one caveot that he only be asked once or twice a year, for comment.  His request was denied!

Autograph dealers are in a quandary.  Many are only spending a pittance of what they would normally do to purchase new material.

Other dealers are turning over some of their inventory to auction houses with the hopes of people not on their mailing list will become  new bidders. Others are trying to find ways to attract customers by giving away a free autograph with every purchase.

Most all will agree the number one reason for the decline of the autograph hobby is the existance of compnies who were created to authenticate autographs. Enough cannot be written to expose how much some of these fraudsters have turned collectors away.  One South Florida seller of modern day autographs said to me " I'm going to become an authenticator, all I need is a letterhead and some stamps and viola. To this day he is looking at an autograph that a collector would send him and go on ebay to find a match. With little or basically no experience he went into the authenticating business as a fraud.  In time he went one step further when better materal was sent to him, it supposedly never arrived. You can still find his COA's on ebay. His policy is try never  to  turn anything down or you will loose a customer.  This  philosophy quickly attracted submitters who were forgers and the market is now flooded with his COA's.

Some serious collectors have had enough! The problem of mis-authentication is so bad there have been lawsuits. One that comes to mind is a lawsut filed by a California collector named Michael. He sued a New England autogaph auction house for $250,000. The auction house was willing to refund $70,000 to Michael because of a "Handful" of PSA rejections. The reason for this attempt to settle was "because of the legal cost for RR Auction to fight him..."  In a letter from a Bobby Livingston (RR Aucion) he writes: "We are not angry with you because we do not agree with the opinion of your on sight  authenicator....." ..."we have agreed  to refund the PSA fee's that he paid to you..."   "He said it was $3,000...."

Bobby goes on to say: "We request that PSA will work with us on making this situation whole for RR Auction."

On a separate document PSA's  response was to resubmit the failed items. This suggestion was turned down by the auction house.

The auction house continues with "I have several possible scenarios to suggest." They list three and conclude by writing: "I am sure there  are several other solutions. Please phone me so we may work out a solution that works for PSA as well as RR.

Some feel the only way to fix this dilemmaa of autograph authentication is that all persons who want to be called an authograph authenticaor that they be licensed. It has been proven that taking a mail order course on autographs does not work!  It is rare in this hobby to find any professional autograph delaer/authenticator that is a licentiate. There are only a few and none of them ever worked for a high profile company who claims to authenticate autographs.

Novice autograph collectors keep an eye out and don't be fooled. Reprints on eBay are now being offered along with a COA..  Reprint signaures are printed signatures, not hand signed.

BEWARE

Latest talk in the autograph industry among several dealers is that China has be reproducing those stickers used by companies who claim to authenticate autographs. They are placing these stickers on autographs of all kinds.

This information doesn't trouble any professional autograph dealers as for years many avoid handling an autograph that has been authenticated by any of the high profile authenticating companies.

The mistakes made by the three high pofile companies who claim to authenticate autogaphs is so common that the largest professioal autograph dealer organization "PADAH" sugests to it's members that they do not have to give a refund, based on a guess from one the the three hig profile authenticaing companies.

For sure, there is no end to the amount of mis-authentications being made by Steve Grad and his band of "autograph authenticators."

Much damage has been done because of the serious amount of mis-stakes that have been made by this group including the loss of many collectors who no longer want to collect autographs becuse of finding items they purchased with those worthless COA's where the guess from the so-called authenticators got it wrong.  There can be no valid reason for the folowing mis-stake other than no research what so ever was  done.

The following is the work of Steve Grad and his band of "authenticators." They charged their customer a fee for authenticating and another fee to put the autograph in a plasic "coffin." The boys at Beckett want you to believe this encapslated signature of Steve Wozniak is genuine.  You don't have to be an authenticator to see that these who claim to be authenticators have no business doing what they do!  Click on the illustration to get a larger image.

The following are two genuine examples of A  Steve Wozniak signature.

After decades of articles about the useless COA's printed by the so-called companies who claim to authenicate autographs, how much more  information needs to be published to convince collectors if they have an item with a COA, have it re-authenticated by an autograph professional.  There are over 70 members of PADAH that you can contact to haveyour item professionally authenticated.

Charlie Kirk (1993-2025). American right wing political activist and media personality. Assassinated. Awarded by President Donald J. Trump, the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Accepting the award was his wife Erika.

The day after his assassination, forgers of his autograph come out from the dark. Anything from signed photographs to signed baseballs started to appear on ebay.

The following are genuine autographs of Charlie Kirk in a Holy Bible and also a genuine example on a card along with the signaure of his wife, Erika. 

Illustrated below are forged examples of Charlie Kirk's signature.

As always, when considering to puchase any autograph, it's best to choose a dealer member of PADAH.

Here we go again, there must be something in the Connecticut water. A Connecticut seller of high end autographs, most very questionable, is flooding the market with spurious autographs.  This has been done before especially with autographs of JFK and Marilyn Monroe, yet some ''experts" do get fooled.  A trained eye,with no money pressure on them, should catch these high end autographs at first glance. 

The seller in question has a large inventory of well known names, and most all items could use a second look if necessary. This is a perfect opportunity for law  enforcement to be involved again.

More than one item of JFK from this seller has caught our attention. Item #1 is illustrated below:

Actual size. below:

Also take notice of the other presidential signatures. An autograph person with even limited knowledge would say "There's no leap of faith here."

Item # 2  Another JFK for $29,999.

Take notice of the Lyndon B. Johnson signature as well.

Full size illustration above. Do you see "any cracks in the sidewalk?"

This following  is an example of the sellers idea of a genuine Marilyn Monroe.

Of the dozens of sad looking autograpghs being offered at outrageous prices, the following is just one more example of the dealers expertise.

Albert Einstein illustrated below.

This seller of autographs is NOT a member of the PADAH family.  For the purpose of this article we have avoided listing the dealers name and address.  The reason is this company is under investigation.

Of all of the 20th to 21st century  autographs of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices, there should be no question that a genuine signature of Chief Justice John Roberts is the scarcest/rarest.

Unless you know and have studied autographs, eBay is certainly a place to avoid.  There is so much going on in there between corrupt sellers with a thousand or more positive feed backs, an unlimited amout of autographs wrongly authenticated, togerther with Certificates of Authenticity from the three high profile outfits that claim they can authenticate autographs. Flooding the market are those outside the field that just don't know what they are doing.

Here's an example of a seller with 555 POSITIVE feedbacks offering a signed photograph of John Roberts for $2,500.00

 Obviously this seller recognizes that anything signed by Roberts is rare for him to put such a high price on a modern day autograph.

Obviously, somehow along the line, this seller finds out his item is machine signed, so what does he do?

He relists the same item and reduces the price to $799. Some uneducated collector thinks they found a bargain.  So much for this seller and others like him on eBay.

A similar "signed" photograph can be found at an auction house. This example sold above the estimate at the "bargain" price of only $160.00.  Based on the first two illustrations,, this photograph was signed by the same Autopen machine.

How scarce are the autographs of John Roberts?

Look him up on Google.  On Wikipedia, this is the example they illustrate of Roberts signarure.

Here's another site many use for reference. Wikimedia Commons.
All five Roberts signatures above are identical. Machine signed.

A lesson to be learned!  The following is a genuine example of John Roberts handwriting and signature.

The presentation inscription has been cut away for the purpose of this signature study.

However, in my opinion, this is autograph collecting, and the more writing the better. Are you going to pass on a Lincoln signed book because it is inscribed to an individual?  To me, with an inscription, it makes the book more desirable and adds to the value.

Highly recommended, if you are going to purchase any autograph, make sure they are members of PADAH. The PADAH (Preferred Autograph Dealers and Auction Houses) family is the largest group of autograph professionals in the world.  Buy with confidence!
                                                                                                         

Do you ever wonder why the high profile companies who claim to authenticate autographs will never give out the name of one of their "experts" who made an incredible mess authenticating an autograph?

Take a look at this gem!

The 'experts at JSA are responsible for this.  There is absolutely no excuse for this  insanity. This 3"x5" card is said to be a 100% guaranteed signature of astronaut Scott Carpenter.

You cna turn this whatever upside down or inside out and never come up authenticating this as a genuine signature of Scott Carpenter. Some uneducated collector for some reason sent this into JSA and paid for this uneducated guess. What fox is watching the chickens?

This is simply one of thousands of mistakes made by the companies who claim to authenticate autographs. This is the only example one needs to illustrate why over 70 professional autograph dealers and members of PADAH do not have to give a refund based on anything authenticated by a high profile company who claims to authenticate autographs.

                                      RR Auction – JSA – Two “Experts” Keep Repeating the Same Mis-takes

RR Auction does it again and wrongfully authenticated Eisenhower’s signature, and is backed by JSA. More money continues to be spent on non-genuine autographs, passed a s genuine. This is just another incident where both companies lack expertise authenticating signatures of Dwight D. Eisenhower.

A very lengthy article, heavily illustrated on signatures of Dwight D. Eisenhower was written and can be found at www.stephenkoschal.com

All one must do is click onto “NEWS” and scroll down several articles to the educational article.  After reading this article you will not make the mistakes many of the so-called experts continue to make.  To make matters worse, a book was published on the signatures of Eisenhower back in 2020 and explains in detail the differences in a genuine Eisenhower signature versus one signed for him by a secretary. The information in this book will save collectors hundreds to thousands of dollars if the “experts” maintain a reference library.

To our knowledge neither RR Auctions nor JSA Authentication have purchased a copy of this book.  So much for authenticators having a serious reference library yet willing to offer you a full letter of authentication for $100.00

RR Auction has sold many letters signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower that without a question contain secretarial signatures of Eisenhower.  Auctions containing non-genuine autographs range from July 2019, September 2000, December 2022 and August 2023.

Since the educational study on Eisenhower’s signature was published, RR Auctions has sold 13 more letters said to be signed by Eisenhower yet were actually signed by his secretary.  One letter dated June 26, 1957, sold at the RR Auction, Lot # 42 for $250.00. This letter comes with a full letter of authentication from JSA Authentication.   See two illustrations below.

RR Auction prints a column about what they refer to regarding Eisenhower’s genuine signatures. See the illustration below.  For example lets refer to that letter of letter dated June 26, 1957.   It is my opinion, it is written to a member of the Eisenhower family, the “expert” authenticator  at JSA Authentication  was most likely convinced the signature would be genuine.  RR Auction prints a quote of reference and refers one to a book written by Paul Carr, a member of the UACC, convinced that Carr is an expert on the signature of Eisenhower.  Yet, in Carr’s book he identifies the signatures of “D.E.” are genuine in a few places .

RR Auction states in part: “The collection of Paul K. Carr, former Universal Autograph Collector Club (UACC) President and Lifetime Achievement Award winner, represents seven decades of searching for the finest in autographs.

 Carr built a deep knowledge of Dwight D. Eisenhower's signature. His 1997 book The Eisenhower files: An In-Depth Philographic Study is a classic in the field of autograph authentication.”

The following is one of the illustrations from Carr’s book.  This letter is actually signed by Eisenhower’s secretary.  In at least two other cases in his book,  Carr gets it wrong again.

Since May 15, 2024 until Jan. 8, 2025 RR Auction has sold 13 more letters said to be  “signed” by Eisenhower that were actually signed by Eisenhower’s secretary.

They are May 15, 2024 Lot 90, 2 T.L.S. for $250.00

                   Dec.11, 2024 Lot 51, 4 T.L.S. for $550.00

                Dec. 11, 2024 Lot 54, 1 T.L.S.  for $250.00

                Jan. 8, 2025  Lot 37, 5 T.L.S. for $596.00

                Jan.  8, 2025  Lot 42, 1 T.L.S. for $250.00

One can easily see that in a month’s time RR Auction has sold $1646.00 dollar’s worth of mis-authenticated Eisenhower’s letters to un-educated collectors.

It certainly appears that outfit’s selling autographs and outfit’s who claim to be “experts” authenticating autographs have little time researching what they sell and authenticate.

The following is a little contest on who is the best autograph authenticator.  The JSA Authenticating Company (who knows who is responsible for doing the authenticating) or YOU and the occasional eBay seller.  It's basically  $19.95 cents in one corner verses $1,099.95.in the other corner. 

Let's start in the eBay seller corner of a signed photograph of Judy Resnick. This seller has a color photograph of the astronaut signed and states the signature is a reprint for US $19.95.Study the signature carefully.

Above is a closeupof the reprint signature for US $19.95.

Now to be also found on enBay is a similar photograph of Judy Resnick said nthe be signed with a genuine signature and comes certified as genuine by JSA for US $!,099.95

Time for a decision....who is the better autograph authenticator?   JSA Authenicator of YOU?

George W. Bush Autograph Letter signed: “FAKE”

There’s always something new to learn and going on eBay is an education. Recently spotted this wonderful bargain of a George W. Bush handwritten letter for only $275.00.  A fabulous bargain, yes?  Seller must have thought he posted this a little high so also states “Best Offer.”  You could possibly get this treasure for $250 or less!

The problem is, the letter is totally printed except for the person’s name.

The original above is addressed to “Kristine” the second is to Maria and the third is to Bill. Even the word “Dear” is printed.

Value $0.   Education: “Priceless.”

Members of “PADAH”  (Preferred Autograph Dealers and Auction Houses) are aware of this. Over 70 professional autograph dealers to choose from!

All should agree things are slow in the hobby of autographs.  Times like this bring the forgers out of the closet.  The latest seems to be coming out of the Las Vegas area.

This forger is specializing on lower end items affordable to most.  After all everyone likes  a bargain.  Remember if it's too good to be true, it usually is!

Listed on ebay for $399.00 is a check  said to be in Harry Truman's hand , dated April 6, 1909 for $10.00.  Truman checks are usually selling from $599 and up.  That is the lightening bolt that should be the first to strike you.

Are you ready to jump on this or do you want to take a second look?  A smart collector will always take their time to inspect an autograph item thoroughly.  In this case, it is my opinion that if you take this check an cut it from "Ten" dollars on down it would fool most dealers.  The forger is that good!  However this half-wit with a pen isn't that smart. What this person did was nearly perfect a signature of Harry Truman from the mid to late 1950's and sign it on a 1909 check.

Just another reason to make sure before purchasing any autographed item , look for the "PADAH' logo on the dealers web site.

Talk about wasting your money on a sloppy authentication, here's an example of a collector simply wasting their money.  Illustrated is a fine photograph of Jimmy Carter throwing out a baseball during a game.

JSA describes the signature on this photograph as being genuine. Is It?  Couldn't the "expert" authenticator say that maybe "half" the signature is genuine?   Wouldn't you like to know who this expert was? Not a chance in hell finding out!  Someone, other than Jimmy Carter had the audacity to fill in after the "J" and add "immy."  My opinioin is that the half-wit who did this ruined the enitre piece.  Any comments out there?

PAAS  - The Forgers First Choice

George Harrison real or fake???

• Posted by XperttexpertBeatles Autographs & Authentication

A while back I decided to give Mike Frost from P.A.A.S. a chance to authenticate a few of my Beatles autographs. He was significantly cheaper than many of the other authenticators and I had seen his EBay auction several times. I decided to send him this mid 70's Harrison autograph which, in my opinion, is pretty cut and dry a genuine autograph. To my disbelief he responded saying that autograph was in fact NOT authentic! Along with this signature I sent him others as well which he deemed as not genuine. I felt terrible knowing that these were real, and I was just taken for my money to the tune of $400.00+ dollars. After I received the signatures I did the only thing one could do. I mailed them off to Frank Caiazzo for a true authentication. As expected, the autograph was indeed authentic. I felt a little more vindication when I found out that his authentication services were pulled from EBay. BUT! I just ran across another one of his ebay auctions trying to lure unknowing patrons to use his services for Beatles autographs! I was as you can imagine quite peeved. In my opinion, I would stay as far away from a Mike Frost PAAS Beatles authentication as possible. It is my belief that he has no clue what is real and what is not and I would advise to save your money and go with someone more reputable in this business. Take a look at the example for yourself and you be the judge!!!

 Feb 24, 2016  Trendon of Tucson, AZ Professional Autograph Authentication Service - Refused acknowledgement of payment and refund On February 3rd 2016, I paid 55.00 dollars in good faith to PAAS in Florida. I have made multiple attempts to contact this business to request a refund of my money. I did not get any contact until 2/24/2016. The individual from PAAS claiming this is the first time they heard of a refund. I never sent the item to be authenticated, and I cancelled the shipping label to mail the item to them. I have tried to call PAAS and contact them by e-mail. I am unemployed, and I made a mistake in requesting their services. I paid this money in hopes of getting an autographed picture authenticated, that I may sell the item on e-bay and make some money to live on. I am getting screwed by pay-pal, and e-bay, and now apparently by PAAS. I am not like these big time businesses. The 55.00 was the last from my 2016 income tax refund. Thanks to thieves like these big name businesses, I am flat broke and in debt. Comment  0  0

 
Man, who served time for child porn convicted again for the same crime
Michael Frost had already served time in federal prison for possession of child porn. Prosecutors said he clearly didn't learn his lesson.
Author: Adrianne M Haney
Published: 11:15 PM EDT October 24, 2019
Updated: 1:09 AM EDT October 25, 2019
ATLANTA — A man who had already been convicted and served time for having child porn has been sentenced again - for the exact same crime.

Federal prosecutors announced Michael Frost, 49, was sentenced again for possessing child pornography, including images of children as young as seven.

According to prosecutors, investigators were led to Frost while they were conducting an undercover operation on the dark web, an "area on the Internet where illegal content is uploaded and shared."

Investigators said they spotted an IP address that had downloaded child pornography connected to a Cumming, Georgia home. Investigators went to the home to interview the residents there; they said they were not the ones who downloaded the explicit images, but they pointed them to someone else - Frost.

The residents told agents Frost would come over to the home often and use his personal laptop to use the Internet.

Professional Autograph Authentication Service - PAAS customer service

 I did finally get my money back from professional autograph authentication services after filing a police report. The person contacting me lied in another communication stating that I had committed some kind of fraudulent act and that I was some kind of psychopath. I took my concerns to the BBB, and I will never give these people any money for autograph authentication ever again. They are rude and they do not know what they are doing. they thought they could rip me off..... They thought wrong. They were non professional and abusive in the communications I did receive, and they have no real understanding of professional business communications. I spent almost two years in college. I should know.

                                                         *

PAAS Certified Autographs Removed    

eBay has removed virtually all autograph listings with PAAS (Professional Autograph Authentication Service) COAs, apparently due to authenticity concerns.

It is estimated   that approximately 800 listings were wiped out, and less than a dozen remained. eBay sellers reported that all of their PAAS autographs were removed except those also certified by other third-party authenticators. Sellers were told they would face possible suspension if they attempted to list them again.

While there has been no official statement by eBay, Michael Frost, PAAS's president and authenticator, acknowledged eBay's actions when I asked by email, but would not say why, suggesting we contact eBay. However he denied it was due to authenticity concerns.

However, emails from eBay provided to us by recipients contradict that.:

Why were the listings for my autographed items ended?
- We received reports regarding the authenticity of the autographs in your listings. Please be aware that we regularly receive such reports from rights owners, law enforcement officials and members of the eBay community. These reports were not the determining factor for why your listings were removed but they were taken into consideration.

In the past, blanket removal of a company's COA by eBay has been followed within a few months by an official listing on eBay's banned COA list. 

                                                                 *

 Trendon of Tucson, AZ

Professional Autograph Authentication Service - Refused acknowledgement of payment and refund

On February 3rd 2016, I paid 55.00 dollars in good faith to PAAS in Florida. I have made multiple attempts to contact this business to request a refund of my money. I did not get any contact until 2/24/2016. The individual from PAAS claiming this is the first time they heard of a refund. I never sent the item to be authenticated, and I cancelled the shipping label to mail the item to them. I have tried to call PAAS and contact them by e-mail. I am unemployed, and I made a mistake in requesting their services. I paid this money in hopes of getting an autographed picture authenticated, that I may sell the item on e-bay and make some money to live on. I am getting screwed by pay-pal, and e-bay, and now apparently by PAAS. I am not like these big time businesses. The 55.00 was the last from my 2016 income tax refund. Thanks to thieves like these big name businesses, I am flat broke and in debt.

                                                                                             *

 Rustin

Professional Autograph Authentication Service - BEWARE MIKE FROST www.paasautographs.com P.A.A.S. FORGER CONMAN AUTOGRAPH

Mike Frost of P.A.A.S. Spews More Lies Landing himself into Further Trouble Mike Frost of P.A.A.S. a company that once authenticated autographs with genuine experts has attempted to reinvent itself since two of the three partners dissolved their authenticating relationship with Mike Frost and the company. Frost who won’t even be hired by Coaches Corner to authenticate autographs has recently made new false statements. ANL in the past just doesn’t make statements. It has always exposed the facts with documented proof. Not a single individual to date has questioned anything written by ANL. Frost, who has experienced financial difficulty for quite some time, claims P.A.A.S. has two offices. One is in his new apartment since he has lost his home. The other ANL has discovered is now an abandoned store full of rubble. This is the same store Frost was selling hot dogs and used women’s clothing among other discarded items from. This peddler, worked out of a store once named The Show Emporium. Those calling Frost on the phone about autographs would sometimes be put on hold while Frost needed to attend to the sale of a $2 hot dog. Recently, it has come to our attention that while processors were trying to serve Mike Frost/P.A.A.S. several lawsuits for his lies about others they came upon this abandoned store, once the headquarters of Mike Frost/P.A.A.S. According to Mike Frosts this location is still being used by him. What was found by those trying to serve Mike Frost was a building full or rubble, which was once, the Show Emporium, P.A.A.S. Headquarters. The dance floor has been totally torn up and destroyed along with a small room Frost used for his computer authentication reference center. See portrait of P.A.A.S. Headquarters below. As usual Frost will never update his website. As proof, half those listed as autograph experts have requested to have their names removed for over three years. Office number Two is shown below. A small apartment in not such a secure area. Enough said It is believed if you still want to meet Mike Frost for authentication purposes, it is highly suggested you leave your autographs with him in a public place, with witnesses. Mike Frost, made a laughable comment recently. That his P.A.A.S. business is better then ever. ANL cannot find a single autograph dealer or auction house who uses P.A.A.S. The last one to do so was Pristine Auctions who will no longer even accept a P.A.A.S. certificate. What ANL did find, in our investigation is that most dealers won’t even accept a P.A.A.S. guess as a reason to give a refund. Frost downfall, was his loss of two autograph expert business partners. In addition eBay’s email to Frost removing all autographs on eBay that came with a P.A.A.S. cert is difficult to swallow. In ANL’s quest to discover, Frost claims business is better then ever. We discovered a professional dealer in Kansas who at one time used P.A.A.S. exclusively. The dealers entire inventory was removed from eBay causing them to completely go out of business. Not to mention the high cost spent on authenticating and receiving worthless COA’s. Mike Frost now a desperate individual is trashing all those who at one time felt sorry for him and used his service. Now Mike Frost who has extremely limited abilities in authenticating is on his own. Looking at sellers inventory and giving free guesses as to the authenticity of their items. Fortunately for the hobby, Mike Frost guesses fall on deaf ears as basically no one accepts his hurtful attacks on their inventory. There is much, much more to the Mike Frost story of attempted fraud. We presently find Mike Frost is being investigated by more than one agency. And ANL does not want to let the hot dog out of the bun until we are given proper clearance.

P.A.A.S. / Mike Frost The Worst Authenticator Rip off Pembroke Pines, Florida

I hope this complaint helps just one person from going through what I did with this company.

I have no one to blame but myself for getting involved with P.A.A.S and its deficient guru Mike Frost. There’s an old saying in this hobby that you get what you pay for.  I can tell everyone, I didn’t get close to that, all I got was grief and ripped off. I have used other authenticators and was not happy with any of them. I was looking to try someone new and ultimately experienced what it is like to be in the bottom of the barrel. An authenticating HELL! I contacted PAAS/Mike Frost to have some items authenticated. By far his prices was the cheapest of all authenticators. That alone should have told me something. I did not do my homework.  What I have discovered since about PAAS is simply unbelievable.  How this company still exists is beyond my comprehension? Possibly they just survive hoping to find a new customer like me. PAAS has a decent looking web site, filled with names of those who appear to work for the company. I now find out from others in the hobby that those are all his family. His brother, his wife, his kid and so forth, all family members and all using different last names. Again, that should have told me something. I have also discovered others whose names are being used. From what I now learned,  they have never seen an autograph from Frost. Most of them have asked multiple times to have their names removed from the PAAS web site.  Frost has refused. Don't be fooled like me, PASS/Mike Frost is a one person operation. My experience with him is that he is not  capable of authenticating autographs. Not even close now that I find out about his mistakes where others are exposing him on the Internet.  Items I purchased from reputable dealers were turned down as not authentic and items I actually got in person were also turned down.  Trying to get a refund, one dealer I purchased my item from would not accept a COA from PAAS/Frost. To justify this, the dealer also told me that I may find many others that wont accept his COA.  I found this out to be true. My next problem with PAAS/Mike Frost was the time it took to get my items back. Not the few days as was promised by more then a few weeks.  Trying to get hold of PAAS/Frost was a major problem and at one point I was concerned about getting my items back. 

To make it worse after spending hundreds of dollars Mike Frost's COA's were kicked off eBay and all my listing's disappeared.  Frost bragged about helping eBay out with Whitney Houston and then they kicked him off.  Some relationship he had with eBay.  Why didn’t I know this before I dealt with PAAS/Frost?  Why didn’t I ask around the hobby to learn about PAAS/Mike Frosts reputation? Getting Frost back on the phone once he finds out you are unhappy is almost impossible. He must have caller ID.  The only way to trick him into answering his phone is to call from a different number. When he answers and finds out who it is, he hangs up on you. Ijn my opinion, Frost is truly the bottom of the barrel compared to all the other authenticators.  I would like to sign my name to this but was told Frost has a friend who is associated with eBay. I am told he has the capability of having items I sell on Bay removed by stating they are not genuine.  What a fun hobby!

Glossary

The following acronyms are the most used in the listings of sellers of autographs, autograph auction houses and book dealers specializing in signed books. This list is expanded and brought up to date. (2024)

AA:         Academy Award

ADS:      Autograph Document Signed

ALS:       Autograph Letter Signed

ANS:      Autograph Note Signed

AQS:      Autograph Quote Signed

AMS:       Autograph Manuscript Signed, all in the hand of the author

AMQS:    Autograph Musical Quotation Signed

BCS:       Business Card Signed

BES:        Bank Endorsement Signed, signed o the back of a check

BKBL:     Book Plate

B/W:       Black and White

CDS:      Usually, a circular ink mark stamped on a FDC, indicates the date it was processed

CDV:      Carte de Visite Photograph

CHK:      Check

CIS:        Crack in Sidewalk, assume the chance of possibly being spurious

D:            Died

DOB:      Date of Birth

DJ:         Dust Jacket

DS:         Document Signed

ED:         Edition

ES:         Endorsement signed, usually found on the back of early documents

EXM:      Executive Mansion

F:            Fine condition

FACS:    Facsimile

FDC:      First Day Cover

FF:          Free Frank

FOL:       Folio, 12x16”

FOX:       Foxing, aging of item, discoloration

G:            Good condition

GC:         Great content

HOF:       Hall of Fame

IB:           Ink Burn, hole in a document caused by excess of acidic ink

IL:            Illustrated

INSC:      Inscribed, usually to an individual

INTL:       International

IP:            Signature obtained in person

LOF:        Leap Of Faith, stretching the genuineness, not properly authenticated

LTD:        Limited

LS:           Letter Signed

M:            Mint Condition

MOC:      Member of Congress

MOH:      Medal of Honor

MS:         Manuscript Signed, body of item by a secretary of typed

MT:          Mounting Traces, hinge marks, spots on verso, evidence of prior framing

MTD:       Item Affixed to Something Else

ND:          No Date

NP:          No Place

NY:          No Year

OB:          Oblong

OP:          Out of Print

OW:          Otherwise

PG:           Page

PP:            Pages    

PROV:       Provenance, Historic Background, Previous Ownership

SB:             Book Signed by the Author

SIG:           Cut Signature standing alone

SL:             Sleeper, Usually a Valuable/Rare Autograph Overlooked

SP:             Signed Photograph

TLS:           Typed Letter signed 

VERSO:     The Back of a Printed Sheet or Photograph

VELLUM:    Durable Paper Usually Made from Lamb Skin or Calf Skin

VG:              Very Good Condition

VOL:            One Volume                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

WD:              War Date 

WF:               Weak Folds

WHC:           White House or The White House Card

Wm:              Watermark

YR:                Year                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

4TO:              Quarto, 8”x12”

8VO:             Octavo: 6”x8”

Bill Clinton – Two NEW Autopen Discoveries

Since the publishing of the Official Presidents of the United States AUTOPEN GUIDE in 2009 by Stephen Koschal and Andreas Wiemer, two new AUTOPEN signatures of Bill Clinton have been discovered.

Autopen #25, two illustrations below.

Below are three examples of Autopen #26.

An example of each can be filed after page 73 in the AUTOPEN GUIDE.

Copies of the AUTOPEN GUIDE are available and can be ordered at  skoschal.com   $15.00 each + $3.00 shipping.