Autograph forgeries

Operation Bullpen

on Mittwoch, 05 April 2000. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Federal Bureau of Investigation Internal Revenue Service U.S. Attorney’s Office April 2000

According to long-time memorabilia collectors, the market for genuine vintage memorabilia has changed dramatically over the last decade. In the late 1980s, the market consisted of a very limited supply of genuine articles (e.g., vintage balls, checks, old books, letters, and the rare cut). These items were almost exclusively traded among a select group of collectors through a well-defined network. However, the market is literally flooded with tens of thousands of vintage items (including bats, balls, jerseys, helmets, pictures, magazines, pieces of papers, posters, lithographs, record albums, and other items) that are simply counterfeit.

Businessmen 'systematically forged' sports stars' autographs

on Donnerstag, 07 Februar 2008. Posted in Autograph forgeries

written by Fred Attewill and agencies, theguardian.com

Two businessmen "systematically" forged autographs of famous England rugby and football players and sold them to sports fans, a court heard today. As well as fake signatures of Rugby World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson and footballers David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen, the pair also conned fans with "poorly made" replicas of England international caps which were sold as genuine.

Why George Harrison faked the other Beatles' autographs

on Samstag, 02 Mai 2009. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Written by Markus Brandes

Beatle George Harrison turned master forger to fake the autographs of John, Paul and Ringo - in order to give a dying girl the biggest thrill of her short life, experts believe.

Guideline to be aware of forgeries

on Freitag, 14 Januar 2011. Posted in Autograph forgeries

„if it seems to good to be true – It’s propably is !“

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Help and Hints for autograph authentication

The only 100% way to ensure that a signature is genuine is to have obtained it yourself from the person concerned. However, here some basic guidelines which we hope will assist you in your search for the genuine article.

Autographs at Internet Auctions

on Sonntag, 10 April 2011. Posted in Autograph forgeries

It is hard to find genuine autographs on Ebay and similar auctions!

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Professionals would agree that at least 80% are forgeries.
That means that 8 out of 10 buyers / members of the public are purchasing worthless items.
The auction companies are raking in millions from autograph sales, so they have little interest in attempting to solve the problem. Forgerys are such an epidemic that they threaten the integrity of the whole hobby for us and future generations.
 

How to Detect a Real or Fake Autograph

on Freitag, 17 Juni 2011. Posted in Autograph forgeries

11 Suggestion's how to identify forgeries

How to Detect a Real or Fake Autograph

Want to know if that item autographed by one of your favorite people in the world is legit? Here are some tips to ensure the autograph is as genuine as it is impressive.

Elvis Presley, The Beatles top list of most-forged autographs

on Donnerstag, 27 Dezember 2012. Posted in Autograph forgeries

BY ERIC KELSEY

 Elvis Presley, The Beatles top list of most-forged autographs
(Reuters) - Elvis Presley and The Beatles top the list of most-forged celebrity signatures in 2012, with less than half of their autographs for sale certified as genuine, memorabilia authenticators PSA/DNA said on Thursday.

Autograph Exhibit Doesn't Pass Authenticity Test

on Montag, 28 Oktober 2013. Posted in Autograph forgeries

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The world's largest privately-held autograph collection is now open to the public, the newest addition to the St. Pete Museum of History. But the our news partners at WTSP 10 News Investigators found numerous indications some of the most prized autographs may not be authentic.

Autograph Fakery: Two Firms Monopolize a Lucrative Business

on Donnerstag, 27 März 2014. Posted in Autograph forgeries

By Jake Rossen

Autograph Fakery: Two Firms Monopolize a Lucrative Business
How could anyone be really sure that Jordan, and not a fry cook, had signed a pair of Nikes?

The „Hans Dangers Filmstar Secretariat“, Berlin

Written by Rolf Ramseier on Montag, 18 August 2014. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Written by Rolf Ramseier

The „Hans Dangers Filmstar Secretariat“, Berlin
Back in the 1950s and 1960s, collecting autographs of movie stars was already a quite popular hobby in Germany as well as in its neighbouring countries, due mostly to the spread of TV-sets through an ever increasing number of German homes and households, and also thanks to the youth-magazine „BRAVO“, which was first released in 1956.

Sources: Winston items not validated

on Dienstag, 18 November 2014. Posted in Autograph forgeries

written by ESPN Darren Rovell

Sources: Winston items not validated
The autograph authentication company that has certified more than 1,000 jerseys, photos, mini helmets and other items as bearing the valid signature of Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston received the items only after an initial authentication firm rejected the job because of concerns about their legitimacy, sources told "Outside the Lines."

Solving The Mystery Of A Family Letter 'Signed' By Babe Ruth

on Donnerstag, 15 Januar 2015. Posted in Autograph forgeries

by David Seideman

Solving The Mystery Of A Family Letter 'Signed' By Babe Ruth
Almost every weekday morning, one of my new friends at the wonderful coffee house where I do a lot of my work, the Brooklyn Commune in my Windsor Terrace neighborhood, folds his New York Times up in a small square to work on the crossword puzzle. We talk current baseball— both of us are long-suffering Mets fans— and baseball history.

Charles Dickens Autographs - A Signature Study

on Dienstag, 10 November 2015. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Charles Dickens Autographs - A Signature Study
This is a very well researched article reprinted from the THE STRAND MAGAZINE, Vol VII., Issue 37. published January, 1894. The article shows how Dickens way of writing his name varied considerably over the years. Being able to authenticate Dickens signature despite is many variants is of great interest to collectors of Dickens memorabilia and autographs as well as any researcher wishing to verify whether correspondence alleged to have been written by Dickens was in fact written by him.

Luke Skywalker wants to save you from buying fake autographs

on Sonntag, 17 Januar 2016. Posted in Autograph forgeries

by: Cox Media Group National Desk

Luke Skywalker wants to save you from buying fake autographs
"Star Wars" memorabilia is more valuable than ever. But with that rise comes a remarkable number of forged signatures.

If you need an expert on Elvis Presley’s autograph, head to Amherst

on Sonntag, 22 Mai 2016. Posted in General Autograph News, Autograph forgeries

by Mark Mulville/Buffalo News

If you need an expert on Elvis Presley’s autograph, head to Amherst
Rich Consola of Amherst saw Elvis Presley in concert twice at Memorial Auditorium, in 1957 and in 1976.
That was it.
And yet “The King” has been Consola’s focus for decades.
“I’ve studied Elvis Presley’s autograph every day of my life for the past 25 years,” Consola said.

Alan spent £500 on a boxing glove signed by Mike Tyson - then found out he'd been conned by the crooks who prey on sports fans

on Mittwoch, 07 Dezember 2016. Posted in Autograph forgeries

By PAUL THOMAS

Alan spent £500 on a boxing glove signed by Mike Tyson - then found out he'd been conned by the crooks who prey on sports fans
  • Alan bought the glove from Bonhams
  • Auction house says it is too late to ask for a refund 
  • Experts share tips on how to spot fakes

THE RISE OF THE ROBOGRAPH SIGNATURE, PART ONE!

on Dienstag, 03 April 2018. Posted in General Autograph News, Autograph forgeries

by Garry King

THE RISE OF THE ROBOGRAPH SIGNATURE, PART ONE!
"Robographs"  (a name i have coined for want of something better) are autographs created by a robot machine.  These are now becoming the scourge of the autograph world, and are becoming increasingly difficult to spot as the forgers get more proficient. These are even now fooling some good dealers and auction houses, so beware!

Michael Schuhmacher autograph study

Written by Markus Brandes on Montag, 28 Mai 2007. Posted in Autograph forgeries, Sport, In the media

published in Autograph Collector April/May 2007

Michael Schuhmacher autograph study
Michael Schuhmacher signature study written by Markus Brandes

Guilty: The conmen who made a fortune selling sports fans fake autographs of Ronaldo, Gerrard and Owen

on Mittwoch, 02 April 2008. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Guilty: The conmen who made a fortune selling sports fans fake autographs of Ronaldo, Gerrard and Owen
Two businessmen accused of ripping off their customers by forging and selling sports stars' signatures were today found guilty.

Proposal if the showpiece of the collection turns out to be fake?

on Freitag, 14 Januar 2011. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Title

In the years 1997 to 1999, I had me a collection of 50 autographs with a focus on Hollywood stars built from. The framed pictures were hung in my old apartment. I was particularly proud of a certificate signed by Marilyn Monroe black and white photo, which took in my living room wall a central square. I had this piece in 1999 for approximately $ 4,000 from a dealer in California purchased. 

Business of autograph forgeries

on Sonntag, 10 April 2011. Posted in Autograph forgeries

The wonderful world of autograph buying and selling is fraught with dangers for the public and professional alike.

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Throughout history famous people have been asked by their fans for autographs.

A signature has become a quick, easy and personal item to give to a fan. Treasured by the receiver the autograph represents a tiny piece of history frozen in and time and proof of a chance meeting or request.

Certificate of Authenticity for Autographs

Written by Mark Riddle on Sonntag, 10 April 2011. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Certificates (COAs) are easily the most misunderstood area for the ill-informed autograph buyer. “Who to Trust, how do I know its genuine”

Title

Certificates (COAs) are easily the most misunderstood area for the ill-informed autograph buyer.

“Who to Trust, how do I know its genuine ?”

Gresham man gets prison for selling fake sports, Beatles memorabilia

on Donnerstag, 18 Oktober 2012. Posted in Autograph forgeries

written by Steve Mayes

Gresham man gets prison for selling fake sports, Beatles memorabilia

A Gresham man who sold fake Beatles and sports memorabilia on Craigslist was sentenced Thursday to more than two years in prison.

Doctor Who: Norfolk counterfeiter jailed for fake autographs

on Montag, 14 Oktober 2013. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Written by BBC News Norfolk

Doctor Who: Norfolk counterfeiter jailed for fake autographs
A man who ran a "cottage industry" producing fake celebrity autographs, including those of actor David Tennant, has been jailed.

Tips for identifying fake autographs

on Freitag, 22 November 2013. Posted in Autograph forgeries

Posted by FOX19 Digital Media Staff

If the price is too good to be true, it is probably a fake.

If a company offers an autographed item well below competitors' prices and market value, then consumers should be wary. An example would include Michael Jordan basketballs, which some companies sell for as low as $150. Given Jordan's current exclusive contract with Upper Deck and difficulties associated with obtaining his autograph, the Tuff Stuff Magazine market value of an autographed Jordan Basketball is $500, while Upper Deck Michael Jordan autographed basketballs retail for up to $1,500. (Caution: a high price does not by any means suggest authenticity either.)

Buyer Beware: How To Spot Baseball Autograph Forgeries

on Montag, 30 Juni 2014. Posted in Autograph forgeries

By David Seideman

Buyer Beware: How To Spot Baseball Autograph Forgeries

Years ago, I enjoyed a huge adrenalin rush at a flea market in Brooklyn’s Park Slope section. For a few hundred dollars I bought a beautiful baseball from the late 1940s with the signatures of the great Brooklyn Dodgers such as Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, and Roy Campanella. But my baseball was a bust when I tried consigning it to an auction held by Lelands, a top New York house. Mike Heffner, the president, informed me that many of the autographs were penned by the Dodger’s clubhouse boy.

A brief guide to Winston Churchill facsimile letters

on Dienstag, 23 September 2014. Posted in Autograph forgeries

by Garry King

A brief guide to Winston Churchill facsimile letters
As both a collector and dealer I am always on the lookout for anything signed by Churchill, so every week I do a search for items signed by Winston Churchill on ebay, and each week I come across the same signed “authentic” letters that are a little less than “authentic” They may have come from Winston Churchill’s office, but they were certainly not written or signed by him.

Lee Israel, a Writer Proudest of Her Literary Forgeries, Dies at 75

on Mittwoch, 07 Januar 2015. Posted in General Autograph News, Autograph forgeries

By MARGALIT FOX

Lee Israel, a Writer Proudest of Her Literary Forgeries, Dies at 75
In a rented storage locker on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the writer Lee Israel kept a cache of antique typewriters: Remingtons and Royals, Adlers and Olympias. Each was tenderly curated, hung with a tag whose carefully lettered names — Edna, Dorothy, Noël, Eugene O’Neill, Hellman, Bogart, Louise Brooks — hinted at the felonious intimacy for which the machines were used.

When Obama signs a bill he doesn’t always use his own hand

on Mittwoch, 06 Mai 2015. Posted in General Autograph News, Autograph forgeries

When Obama signs a bill he doesn’t always use his own hand
Just because the president signs legislation into law, doesn’t mean the president actually signs the legislation.

Bill Clinton – The Forgers of his Autograph are Having a Field Day using Deception. BEWARE OF SIGNED BOOKS!

Written by Stephen Koschal on Montag, 23 November 2015. Posted in Autograph forgeries

by Stephen Koschal (skoschal@aol.com, www.stephenkoschal.com)

Bill Clinton – The Forgers of his Autograph are Having a Field Day using Deception. BEWARE OF SIGNED BOOKS!
Anyone who has been around awhile in this hobby will tell you “times have changed.”  Forgers are having a field day pulling the wool over the eyes of many newcomers in this hobby.

Your Signed Harry Potter Book's Fake, Probably, J.K. Rowling Warns

on Freitag, 05 Februar 2016. Posted in General Autograph News, Autograph forgeries

Your Signed Harry Potter Book's Fake, Probably, J.K. Rowling Warns
Say it ain't so, Jo! In a series of tweets on Friday, J.K. Rowling revealed that your beloved, signed Harry Potter book's fake, probably. Rare book dealers may see an uptick in business as Potterheads scramble to verify their copies in the wake of this news.

Autographed Trump Hats and Books Sold on His Website Were Signed by Machine

on Freitag, 18 November 2016. Posted in General Autograph News, Autograph forgeries

By DARREN ROVELL, ABC News

Autographed Trump Hats and Books Sold on His Website Were Signed by Machine
Throughout now-President-elect Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, countless money was raised by offering signed items in exchange for a donation.

Yuri Gagarin autograph study

Written by Zarelli, Steve on Samstag, 11 März 2017. Posted in Autograph forgeries, Space & Aviation

(This article was originally published at www.zarellispaceauthentication.com. Reprinted here with permission.)

Yuri Gagarin autograph study

By Steve Zarelli, Zarelli Space Authentication

Special thanks to Bob McLeod for his contributions.

On April 12, 1961, Soviet Air Force pilot Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space. Launched aboard his Vostok spacecraft, Gagarin orbited the Earth and beat American Alan Shepard into space by 23 days. 


THE RISE OF THE ROBOGRAPH SIGNATURE PART TWO!

on Dienstag, 03 April 2018. Posted in General Autograph News, Autograph forgeries

by Garry King

If you have read part one you will now have a basic understanding of how an Autopen machine creates a signature, and if you have studied the John Lennon signature  previously shown you should now be able to see that its not exactly as it should be, in other words it does not look as though its been done by a human hand.