list of fake autograph dealers list of fake autograph dealers

Larger figurines and those with a base also received M.I. Never never buy anything from any seller who uses the PRIVATE option (Private Feedback or Private bidding), unless you are a very very very experienced eBayer! Where you say "Google the dealer"This has become a very gray area on the internet. Is the COA issued by the seller? You will often find these sellers have changed the ID many times too, just click on their feedback number and then click ID History to check. Only 2,500 of these were produced, which is the main price- forming factor. exciting than owning a genuine historical artifact right from the hand of Abraham Lincoln, JFK, Babe Ruth, John Wayneor any other major cultural icon? The sellers of fakes on eBay will provide you with a COA if that is what will make you buy it. To check their sales go to 'Advanced Search' then 'Search by Seller' and remember to click on 'Include Completed Listings'. Ebay sellers with fake or questionable items for sale. COA's are only as good as the person who issued it, and if they are not around, or can't be found, then its just a worthless piece of paper! Most auction companies organize collectible auctions, advertised to networks of knowledgeable collectors and traders. Forget about any COA, an item is either real or its fake, and no amount of classy COA with triple holograms, a wax seal, fancy ribbon, DNA, or nice paper will make a poor fake into a genuine bargain. The following list, very carefully compiled, is of those autograph dealers and auction houses that pass muster in the Credible Authenticity Library. Because such independent analysis can expose fraudulent autograph sellers. Best quality photo (1st generation/original release/candid)/Official item/product (album, CD, ticket, promo, key photo etc.)? Disclaimer:The above is based on my personal experiences, and are not intended for any specific person or dealer. What are the chances of receiving a fake? However, this particular seller seems to have an unlimited supply. Members: 88. Most legitimate dealers also sell on eBay. These numbers are usually cast with the figurine or incised in the soft porcelain, so they are a permanent identification feature. Contact, PRIVACY And there are many websites like that one. There are more specialized websites focusing on antiques and collectibles of value, like Ruby Lane. If in any doubt use my 'quick opinion' service to find out what is real or not.Most of the forgers tend to concentrate on the current big names, so whatever the latest big film or TV show is, then they will probably have a stack of stuff available, and often at a low start price too. But I guess, how high can the risk be through these supposedly "legit" retailers? Copies frequently use cheaper materials like chalk, plaster, or even plastic. Email : Click Here. I know UD originated a lot of sports autos so I would trust them, and probably the same for Topps. The very same certified item with the same number can be had in some cases for $200-$1000 less or close to it on a website compared to eBay and other cluster venues that pool items they don't actually have. Unless you can be 100% certain, stay away from sellers in far off lands, chances are you will also end up being stung for import duty and VAT on fake items from a seller you will never get a refund from. So feedback generally means nothing. A COA is just an opinion or represents provenance. On the top right in the Sellers Information Box, it tells you where the seller is registered, does this tie in with what it says next to Item Location? 2) The seller does not issue a COA and claims they are worthless. Create a signNow account (if you haven't registered yet) or log in using your Google or Facebook. In 1940, Germany stopped sending products for Dubler to sell. Don't take risks with your money, if an item seems too good to be true, then you can be pretty damn sure that its a fake, if in doubt, then don't! 9 Likes, Added by Steve Cyrkin, Admin Even on the extremely rare chancean unknowledgeable seller offered one for such a low cost, it would not last a day. Buyers leave feedback based mainly on fast delivery of the goods, and buyers bid on fake items in the first place because they believe they are genuine, otherwise they would not have bid in the first place! Start with buying from reputable dealers. Forgeries remain a major problem. Also, opinions of authentication services continue to be an endless debate in the collecting community. Some of the early models (tmk-1, tmk-2, and tmk-3) are among the highest-priced Hummel figurines ever. 1) Always look for patterns,whether you are shopping on eBay, a website, or in an autograph gallery. HELLO!! Facebook Youve probably seen a Hummel figurine atop somebodys fireplacea sweet child reading a book, playing music, or going about their daily task. Get it in writing. Why? If they only spent as much time removing the sometimes very obvious fraudsters from the site, and stopped creating more and more rules for sellers and obstacles for buyers, then perhaps they would have a site that would do more business and have many more satisfied customers, but then when have eBay ever listened to their customers? These sites will take ANY reports form an anonymous source and do NO identity verification. Careers Another - if the sellers autographs have more in common with each other than other like examples encountered elsewhere you may well have a problem. All Rights Reserved, Top 10 Most Forged Sports Memorabilia Signatures, 3. Whenever possible, ask a reputable dealer or experienced collector for an opinion on the autograph you're considering, and even better, other autographs the seller is offering. He has had a deal with Upper Deck for more than a decade. 9) Images of autographs they're selling aren't big enough to get a close look. I have only a small number of autographs, none of them sports stars, most of which were signed in person, so I have no doubt about their authenticity. I also ran the 'Autographica' and UACC events in London, although I sold my share in that part of the business some years ago. Autographs are commonly sold with Certificates of Authenticity (COA) or letters of authenticity (LOAs). After you've compared hundreds of genuine and fake examples the signs of a forgery become blatant. you can obtain some excellent bargains. It's only $10 for autographs on eBay and $15 for auctions off of eBay. 3) The sellers inventory is unnatural. There is very high demand for the signature from the late Yankees hero and there's a large volume of forgeries. Mickey Mantle: Photo - $150, High-Grade Signed Baseball - $600 In its report, PSA/DNA also points out that not all fake autographs were created with the intent to defraud people. FAQ If the seller wants you to pay in cash or Via Western Union or similar, and won't accept PayPal or a credit card then run away. But most of the time newly applied fountain pen ink has a very distinctive, unnatural look to it. PSE | by Peter C. Also, look at how unnatural the "Fr" connection is in the Frank forgery. An unethical dealer engaged in selling autograph forgeries will probably not have real provenance or proof of purchase for items you sample from their inventory. Box 1691 RED FLAG: It is common for sellers of autograph forgeries to consistently claim their autograph inventory was acquired from a deceased source, since such a claim cannot be verified. Finally, every genre of collecting or investment has risks (none more than the stock market!). Best condition possible (considering above etc.)? 5) They don't have autographs for sale on eBay. Charges Dropped Against Florida Autograph Dealer Booted from 2018 National. What are the chances of receiving a fake? what do other well known dealers think of them etc? Fax: (785) 842-4917 King James has taken the reigns as the top basketball player in the world. Dont wait until the last minute to bid and then get outbid by a sniper, use a sniper yourself! There are also known forgers operating from some of the eastern countries too (east of me that is! Spotting fakes is a very difficult task that requires many years of experience, however, spotting the sellers of fakes is much easier, and this is what you should concentrate on.Remember this. We are wondering what it might be worth. Always check to see what other items the seller has sold in the past, if they have sold more of the same Elvis signed photos etc (or similar difficult to find items), then avoid them. Value: Special individual Hummel figurines can be sold for thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars. Large versions with Hummel numbers #142/X and #141/X can be valued at $26,000 or more, according to experts. Look out also for negative comments left as a positive. I am relatively new to this autograph game but, I know that PSA/DNA, JSA are the top COA's (I haven't read about scandals). Be on guard of folks who mix certified and other material from the same celebrity. COA's. The Autograph Fair Trade Association ( AFTAL ) was formed by a group of acknowledged autograph dealers, with the intention of stamping out the market in fake items and ensuring that the customer is able to find dealers that they can trust. Great Stuff. That said, you should be wary of who appraises your collection of Hummel figurines. 10) Ask for a rare item you do not see offered for sale. A pristine figurine in its original box can be worth 10 times more than the same model without its packaging. Value: Signed Photo - $150, High-Grade Signed Basketball - $300. The process to render the drawing into a completed porcelain figurine could take months and each step received the approval of the Sisters of Siessen. What are some signs a memorabilia dealer is signing fake autographs? Organizations which do not hold members accountable, even credible organizations like the Manuscript Society or Better Business Bureau, should, One of the best ways to find out about the reputation of a dealer is to ask other collectors and professionals in active autograph forums and communities like Autograph. The industry wide forgery containment value of 3rdparty authentication on the other hand, is undeniable. Autograph Live: It's easy to add a musician-direct sales notice as a discussion. An experienced collector would buy it immediately. Although a particular behavioral element may not always indicate dishonest intentions, there have been countless scenarios in my long collecting life that such behaviors have been consistent with suspicious autograph sellers. Like Jordan, Woods and Gretzky, LeBron James currently has an exclusive deal with Upper Deck. Ask around about the seller (but don't ask them! no? I need to note that there are exceptions. PS - This all reduces yet again to education - and tuition need not be costly. . Dubler brought a number of Hummels products from Germany into the United States marketpostcards, folders, and later figurines. I can across bit I wrote that might be a good counterpoint after locating a source. One popular tactic for sellers of vintage autograph forgeries is to buy old books and tear out the blank pages and use fountain pens to forge the signatures to give them a vintage appearance. 6) Prices are unrealistically low. Display? Once youre sure of the type, authenticity, and you have a ballpark of its worth, its time to make some cash. Always read the full eBay listing at least twice and be sure to check all feedback etc as detailed below, check out the seller as much as you can and ask other known dealers about any seller you may do business with. True Legacy Homes can help you identify and appraise Hummel figurines and other valuable items in your estate. However, there is no one that loathes the 3, party authentication services more than the forgery industry, for obvious reasons. Optimal contrast/placement? However, there is no one that loathes the 3rdparty authentication services more than the forgery industry, for obvious reasons. Ask where they acquired itand for proof. Except for a few short breaks during World War II and in the early 2000s, the figurines have been in continuous production, breathing life into hundreds of M.I Hummels drawings. Clear, tyipal example/preferably no handling/fading/etc.? So, how can you tell if you have an authentic Hummel or merely a copycat? Value: Mickey Mantle: Photo - $150, High-Grade Signed Baseball - $600 Ted Williams: Baseball - $350-500 Joe DiMaggio: Baseball - $300 4. Pencil? If you believe you have an extraordinary example, its best to contact experts in antiques and collectibles. Is that terrible? These sites are flooded with fakes,, malicious reviews. ), Poland, Romania, Russia etc. An authentic Jimi Hendrix signature can easily fetch a whopping $9,000 and an authentic Marilyn Monroe autograph is at least $800. This is the safest place to look for real pieces. Always check the location of the seller. Not just photos and signed pieces of paper, but mediums that are highly unlikely to be forged, including personal checks, contracts, letters (especially on celebrity stationery), official documents like presidential appointments, etc. Latest Activity: Apr 5, 2022. 4) Also, if prices seem strangely low for an autographed item, chances are its a fake. With an estate sale, you set the price so you can ensure they will sell at fair market value. 9:30 - 5:30 Monday - Friday A full bee is typically depicted in older models, and the image pays homage to Hummel, whose name means bumblebee in German. This is a good question. There were some names that thrust into the top ten since the last time we generated this report, like Neil Armstrong and Derek Jeter, and others that fell off the list, like LeBron James. Why would the autograph of one man look just like that of another? Finally, every genre of collecting or investment has risks (none more than the stock market!). Demand Some figurines are just more popular than others, like Stormy Weather #71 and Merry Wanderer #7. Interested in autographs? Also, these steps are not "set in stone". If the seller does not or will not accept either, and you have any doubts about the seller, then don't bid. Nobody can prove who really produced the Beswick figurines, but this is the magic of the collector market. Frequency of items with comparable presentation/condition? 4) Very little or none of the sellers inventory has been authenticated by a reputable third-party authentication service like JSA or PSA/DNA.