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The topic of signature authentication comes up perennially, and two questions in particular repeat themselves: 1. How do I know if my signature is genuine? 2. Do I need a Certificate of Authenticity? Though we have covered this ground more than once at BookThink, I think it's a good idea to answer these questions again, at least briefly, in order to provide a context for reviewing autograph dealer Stephen Koschal's recent book, Certificates of Authenticity for Sale, Exposing the Incompetence in Autography Authentication, the Importance of Choosing the Right Autograph Dealer.
The answer to the first question is, ultimately, you never really know if what you have is authentic. Too many plausible things over the years have been exposed to be forgeries, and some of these are frighteningly competent - some so competent that their perpetrators have become collectible in their own right. And, what's worse, many forgeries likely persist in the marketplace, either undetected, or forgotten to be forgeries and recycled or re-fed through the system with spanking new COA that contradicts what had been established earlier. But the question needs to be asked anyway if for no other reason than a dealer can provide at least some assurance of authenticity, hopefully enough to persuade a collector to pull the trigger. It isn't the purpose of this article to explain how to go about this, but obviously comparing "known" exemplars to the signature in question and investigating provenance, if ny exists, should be high on any dealer's to-do list, that is, the dealer should be satisfied first before offering anything asserted to be genuine. The answer to the second question isn't a slam dunk either. There are collectors who insist on getting a COA with anything and everything they buy. The trouble with this is that many dealers who issue them aren't themselves especially qualified to evaluate handwriting, and mistakes are made. Sometimes even so-called experts make mistakes - or, more cynically, commit fraud. Pawn Stars own Steve Grad, the dude with the tablet and magnifier who has authenticated who knows how many items on the show, has at best a questionable past, doubly troubling because he is PSA's principle authenticator, and everybody trusts PSA, right? Right? If you have a few minutes to blow, take a look at this. The takeaway lesson is not to put blind faith in anybody - and this is the basic lesson in Stephen Koschal's book. What I like about Steve's books are their specific focus, and in this one he zeroes in on Angelina Joli, offering numerous examples of signed eBay items presented as authentic when they are obviously not, including forgeries, secretarial's, autopen signatures and more, many of them with "comforting" COA's from so-called legitimate authenticating services. You may ask, is eBay a reliable venue for purchasing autographed items? The short answer is no, of course not, which isn't to say that genuine things can't be had if one follows a common-sense protocol. More about this some other time. Meanwhile, know that there is so, so much questionable material circulating in the general marketplace that it could - and often does - paralyze buyers from purchasing anything. What are we to do? Steve's answer to this is to maintain a list, updated monthly, of "Preferred Autograph Dealers." Or PADAH. His criteria for inclusion: "Each and every dealer on this list has been hand selected, is totally professional, has many years of experience and will treat you the way you want to be treated." As of February, 2019, there are 58 dealers on the list, which, by the way, appears toward the end of his book and may also be accessed here. Along with this list and the numerous eBay examples is much food for thought here that can help protect you in transactions involving collectible autographs. Unfortunately, we now live in an environment that assaults us from every direction with highly questionable and/or manipulative crap, fraudulent activity and outright scams. If you're not continuously vigilant, it's only a matter of time before you'll get dinged. My favorite is an Empire Today TV commercial offering free flooring for additional rooms for only $50 each. Well, read the fine print at the bottom of the screen and you'll see this: "This offer does not include materials or installation." Anyway, Steve maintains an exceptionally informative resource here., and go here for a list of his additional publications. |
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It's important to note that I cannot guarantee that any item will pass aurthentication by a third-party authenticator. Authentication decisions are influenced by various factors, including the methods and criteria used by the authenticator, as well as the specific context in which the item was obtained. Most important is the quality of the reference material available to the authenticator and their abiliy of knowing how to use it. This is just one example why there are so many differences of opinion between authenticating companies when one or more authenticators are used for the same item.
Third-party authenticating companies often have multiple employees who interpet differently the standards used to authenticate, this is a reason why individual assessments can still vary.
Therefore, no item can ever be guaranteed to pass authentication, as each companies evaluative process is unique and subjective.
As sellers and auctioneers of autographs, members of PADAH (Preferred Autograph Dealers and Auction Houses) our reputation is our main concern. All members passed strict scrutiny and each provides an accurate description and representations of the items they sell.
Guarantees about third-party authentication would not be ethical or professional, given the inherent variability in the authentication process.
Remember, legally, the most important document a collector needs is a properly filled out receipt from a member of PADAH.
THE OFFICIAL LIST
of Preferred Autograph Dealers and Auction Houses
“PADAH”
December 2024
In the international world of collecting autographs, PADAH is unique. Its goal is to ensure collectors of autographs and signed books have a place to go to acquire genuine autographs. The members of PADAH are the true professionals in the business. It would be a very rare experience that any collector would have an unpleasant situation dealing with one of its members. PADAH is free of corruption and politics! There is no money involved in PADAH, no collection of membership dues and no hiding of yearly accounting reports. PADAH is operated by a handful of volunteers. Membership is FREE.
For more information about being a member email: skoschal@aol.com
Should a collector have an unpleasant encounter with a seller outside of the PADAH family, we cannot help you get a refund. However, we may be able to give you guidance through our COA Reference Library where records are maintained of those who sell forgeries on a regular basis and listings of the many sellers who have been removed from other autograph organizations.
Most importantly, many collectors and most dealers are aware of the thousands of serious mistakes made by those companies who claim they can authenticate autographs. Should any collector purchase an autographed item from a member of PADAH and is ignorant enough to waste money on having the item authenticated by the ABC type authenticating companies, PADAH professionals are NOT required to issue a refund. A guess or an opinion from one of those companies is basically useless. In almost all cases the collector will not know who examined their autograph and will be unable to find out who did so when contacting the company. In most cases it really does not matter. The bill of sale from a PADAH member is a collectors only legal document. Before purchasing any autograph, look at the updated monthly list of PADAH members on www.theautographplanet.com or just look for the PADAH logo on the dealers web site.
There are dealers who may have been inadvertently left off the list. May we hear from you for possible submission?
The following professional autograph dealers, auction houses and book dealers who offer signed books do their diligence authenticating the autographs they sell. They will honor their guarantee of authenticity.
*
Notice: We regret that the membership in PADAH for Historic Autographs – Coral Springs, Florida- Howard Storer has been permanently revoked.
We are pleased to announce the addition of a new member to PADAH. Long time professional autograph dealer Howard Zerwitz of American Historical Guild. His company is added to the list below. His specialty is quality historical Autographs.
Abraham Lincoln Bookshop – Dan Weinberg, Chicago, IL Lincoln@aol.com
Adam Andrusier – London, UK adam@andrusierautographs.com
Alexander Historical Auctions – Chesapeake City, MD Bill Panagopulous
sales@alexautographs.com
American Historical Guild – Manorville, N.Y. Howard Zerwitz ahguild@aol.com
Andreas Wiemer Historical Autographs - Kelkheim Germany,
autographs@aw-autographen.com
Antiquar & Auktionator - Holland
Artifactcloud.com - Weil der Stadt, Germany, Florian Noller contact@artifactcloud.com
Bauman Rare Books - N.Y., N.Y. brb@baumanrarebooks.com
B&B Rare Books, Ltd.-N.Y., N.Y. Joshua Mann josh@bbrarebooks.com
Brian & Maria Green, Inc.- Kernersville, NC bmgcivlwar@triad.rr.com
Bruce Gimelson Autographs – Garrison, N.Y. bgimelson@aol.com
Burkhard Schubert – Niedernwohren, Germany info@autogrammwelt.de
ceautographs@aol.com – Gary Brucato Queens, N.Y.
Charles “Chuck” Bird – Escondido, CA ckbird@gmail.com
Cowan’s Auctions – Cincinnati, OH. Danielle Linn info@cowans.com
Custodians of History – Plymouth, MA Peter Forman peter@custodiansofhistory.com
Deco Memorabilia – Beverly Hills, CA Nelson Deedle
Diana J. Rendell, Inc. -Waban, MA dianajrendell@aol.com
Erasmushaus Ltd. – Basel, Switzerland hdb@erasmushaus.ch
Frameabilia -Alexandria, VA Rick Badwey rick@frameabilia.com
Gerard A.J. Stodolski, Inc. – Bedford, NH mail@gajs.com
Greg Nazareth – Pompano Beach, FL
Greg Tucker Autographs – Henderson, NV grgtucker@aol.com
Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. – Chicago, IL info@hjbltd.com
Historama – Jerusalem, Israel Martin Teller inquiries@historama.com
History Makers Autographs - Nokomis, FL Steve Nowlin info@historymakersautographs.com
International Autograph Auctions, Europe SL - Malaga, Spain info@autografosubastas.es
Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles – Los Angeles, CA info@goldbergcoins.com
Jack Bacon & Co. – Reno, NV jb@jackbacon.com
J.A. Stargard - Berlin, Germany info@stargardt.de
JG Autographs – Peabody, MA Jared Gendron
Jim Stinson Sports – St. George, UT
John K. King Books – Detroit, MI info@rarebooklink.com
JR’s Autogramme – Nurenberg, Germany Jorg Riess riess@jrautogramme.de
Julian Browning - London, UK julian@jbautographs.com
Kenneth W, Rendell, Inc. -South Natick, MA kwrll@kwrendell.com
Kotte Autographs - Rosshaupten, Germany Thomas Kotte info@kotte-autographs.com
L’Autographe SA – Geneva, Switzerland Renato Saggiori informations@l’autographie.com
LeLands Auctions – Matawan, NJ Joshua Evans contact@lelands.com
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers – Chicago, IL support@hindmanauctions.com
Librairie Signatures – Paris, France
Lim Antigua –Lucca, Italy Massimo Fino limantiqua@limantiqua.it
Markus Brandes Autographs – Kesswil, Switzerland shop@brandesautographs.com
Neale Lanigan - South Piedmont, AL
One of a Kind Auctions – Coral Gables, FL David Gindy david@oakauctions.com
Pat Claren – Colorado Springs, CO patclaren@gmail.com
PhP Autographs – Auderghem, Belgium - Philippe Petit – phpautog@scarlet.be
Profiles in History – Calabasas, CA Joe Maddallena info@profilesinhistory.com
Regan’s Autographs – Westbury, N.Y. Ray Regan - regan1959@gmail.com
R.J.M. Autographs & Antiques – Boston, MA Bob Minnocci bminnocci@aol.com
Rolf Ramseier Autographs – Guntershausen, Switzerland info@rrautographs.com
Ron Gordon – Las Cruuces, NM rgordon@zianet.com
Ron Keurajian – Rochester Hills, MI
Ron Meininger Antebellum Cove – Gaithersburg, MD antebellumcovers.com
Schubertide Music & Arts – Newton, MA Gabriel Boyers schubertidemusic@gmail.com
Scripta Historica – Kleindstheim, Germany Robert Fecher scriptahistorica@gmx.de
Scripta Scientism - Germany
Schulson Autographs – Milburn, NJ Claudia Strauss info@schulsonautographs.com
Second Story Books – Washington, DC Allan Stypeck research@secondstorybooks.com
Seth Kaller, Inc. – White[O1] Plains, NY info@sethkaller.com
Skip Hensel – Metarie, LA
Sophie Duprie Autographs – Calne, UK sophie@sophieduprieautographs.com
Sportsintegrity.com LLC – Joe Coppola - joe@sportsintegrity.com
* Star Shots - Port Charlotte, FL Arnie Meyrowitz starshots@centurylink.net
Stephen Koschal - Colorado Springs, CO skoschal@aol.com
Tamino Autographs - N.Y., NY Nestor Masckauchan info@taminoautographs.com
The Bull Pen – N.Y., N.Y. info@the-bullpen.com
The Raab Collection – Ardmore, PA Nathan Raab questions@raabcollection.com * * The Written Word – Tamworth, NH Dan Rowe writword@gmail.com
Thomas A. Goldwasser Rare Books – San Francisco, CA mail@goldwasserbooks.com
Todd Mueller Autograph Auctions – ColoradoSprings, CO
todd@toddmuellerautographs.com
Tom Lingenfelter Heritage Collector’s Society – Doylestown, PA. tom@heritagecs.com
Treasures in Writing – Keystone Heights, FL Lynne Keyes
Vintagememorabilia – Bremerton, WA Gary McAvoy vmail@vintagememorabilia com
Whytes – Dublin, Ireland Ian Whyte, info@whytes.ie
END
* Deceased
You and your fellow members of PADAH deserve a big round of applause for bringing integrity and honesty to this field of collecting. Jim D, N.C.
Steve, it seems everything you touch turns to gold. This list is precious, no need to go anywhere else. A safe place to purchase autographs. Mike J. Iowa
Steve, the last four things I bought you authenticated them as not genuine. I learned my lesson and will only purchase from members of PADAH.” Mark L, Florida
Mr. K. "....as a past member of the U.A.C.C., PADAH is like night and day, I really appreciate the PADAH list of professionals, I have vowed to only purchase from their members and as of today have had no problems. Finally a breathe of fresh air..." Carol P. GA
Steve, "using your authentication service is heavenly. Tired of paying up to $150.00 using others in the past and finding out their opinion is wrong is disheartening. I really appreciate you flat rate no mater what the value of the autograph.' Julius, Amsterdam
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