Certificates of Authenticity with Questionable Autographs – An Educational Course Part One
The Certificate of Authenticity Reference Library, maintained in Colorado Springs, CO has a vast amount of autographs (originals not copies) that were once sold by autograph sellers and each one comes with their Certificate of Authenticity also in the file.. Of all the categories of collecting in the hobby, it is clear that non-genuine autographs of Hollywood celebrities are the most popular.
Certificates of Authenticity (COA’s) vary. Some COA’s look somewhat professional, yet others, even issued by a seasoned seller of autographs, can lack the name/description of the item, usually on purpose Convenient for the seller, as when a collector tries to return the dubious autograph, the seller can easilyl say that could be a COA for any item. Also, poplar, someone forged my COA. There was one Florida seller of autographs, now a wannba authenticator that sold an expensive item out of his shop. When the person tried to return the item, the seller denied selling it. Luckily, the collector before purchasing took a picture of the item hanging in the dealers shop.
When a collector attempts to return a questionable autograph to one of these seller, the education in collecting autographs starts. Unfortunately, this is the point when some collectors drop out of the hobby. Sellers of this type hurt the hobby, as the collector runs from the hobby completely and professional sellers loose a potential collector.
One could hear so many reasons why the item cannot be returned. “That’s not the item that came with the COA, or “you need to get letters from two qualified experts that I approve of saying the autograph is not genuine.” Try getting just one of those that they approve of and with two, the cost of the letters may be more than the value of the autograph.
Know what a judge once said…COA’s are basically worthless, they are just someone’s opinion. You parrot can have an opinion as well.”
Some high-profile sellers of autographs can and will bore you how wonderful they are. What they have accomplished during their yeas in the hobby, yet with their experience, they could be the one you have to watch out for the most. Genuine autographs speak for themselves and not the BS that comes along with it.
First rule of caution….if you are about to purchase any autograph, it may be in your best interest to check and see if they are a member of PADAH. A list of professional autograph dealers can be found elsewhere on this site.
This is the very beginning of an educational course that with weekly additions from here on in may take two years.
We have so many active sellers of questionable autographs to choose from, we will choose the one who has the largest file in the COA Reference Library.
Look forward to seeing you next week!
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