Are Autograph Authentication Services Legit?

For collectors of sports autographs and memorabilia, they may want to be cautious about who they purchase item from and how much they are paying for authentication services. Estimates are that between 50-90 percent of all collectibles in the marketplace are not authentic. With Ebay, the ease of counterfeiting autographs and other sport keepsakes is easier than ever. Everyone who cares about the hobby agrees that something must be done.

My personal collection includes autographs from Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Hector Camacho, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweater Jr, and other boxers. Who I have obtained signatures in person. If I obtain an autograph from one of these fighters in person, I know that it's genuine. Therefore, I can then produce a certificate of authenticity that states the date and location of the signing. In today's industry, however, this is simply not enough. A potential buyer might still dispute my item and call it a fake.

Autograph authentication (paying a third party company to certify that an autograph is real eample: PSA/DNA, JSA, Global) is not necessarily the ideal solution either and does not eliminate counterfeiting. Paying someone to authenticate my Sugar Ray Lenard and Oscar De La Hoya autographs will not necessarily increase there value. Authentication services must realize that the are only giving there OPINION as to the validity of the autograph. The problem is that most people don't treat it like an opinion - they treat it as a fact, as if there opinions are definitive. This false thinking also drives up prices for signed memorabilia because consumers are taught that anything reasonably priced must be fake. This is simply not true. Sports autographs are difficult to authenticate bacause many athletes change their autographs frequently. Were they standing, sitting, running down the sidewalk when they signed it? Did they use a sharpie, paint pen, ballpoint or pencil when they signed it? Is it a quick signature or a full signature? The best recommendation is get your autographs yourself. It will give you the most satisfaction and there will never be a question of authenticity.

NOTE: If you buy autographs, call/contact the dealer and ask questions. If the dealer can not tell you where and/or how the autograph was obtained and not offer a fair unconditional return policy, look elsewhere.