There was a mountain of paper work. Charges were filed. A grand jury convened. Three years worth of docket updates dutifully filed online by the clerk of courts. But after all of that, a Davie, FL autograph dealer who saw his inventory seized on the first day of the 2018 National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland is getting most of it back--and all charges against … [Read more...] about Charges Dropped Against Florida Autograph Dealer Booted from 2018 National
autograph authentication
Beckett’s New Autograph Authentication Stickers Offer Hologram, QR Code
Beckett Authentication Services is introducing a new tamper-evident certification sticker for items that utilize them as part of the company’s autograph authentication process. The new sticker has a custom-branded hologram and a QR code for verification. “Because so many of the transactions between buyers and sellers of autographed memorabilia take place online, … [Read more...] about Beckett’s New Autograph Authentication Stickers Offer Hologram, QR Code
FBI Raid in Michigan Said to Target Phony Art, Sports Memorabilia
The headline in a Detroit newspaper reads "alleged upscale art forgery" but a federal investigation into fancy paintings also includes a troubling discovery for collectors of sports memorabilia. On Tuesday, a team of more than 30 FBI agents raided the property of a Michigan man suspected of creating and selling phony artwork and sports-related items over a period of several … [Read more...] about FBI Raid in Michigan Said to Target Phony Art, Sports Memorabilia
NBC News Story: Family Says Dealer Sold Them Large Amount of Bogus Autographs
NBC News has aired a lengthy investigative story on a collection of baseball memorabilia purchased as an investment now believed to be fake. A retired New Jersey firefighter, the late Charles Kerr bought items advertised as signed by Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Derek Jeter and other greats. Now his family believes he was swindled for over $100,000 by a dealer … [Read more...] about NBC News Story: Family Says Dealer Sold Them Large Amount of Bogus Autographs
Autograph Authenticator Steve Grad Says Forgers Getting Creative
It's National week in Chicago and Beckett's Steve Grad is a very busy guy. You couldn't tell that he’d just flown back to his home city from an event in London. The hobby’s biggest event kept his energy level somewhat akin to a third grader at recess. Grad, also well known as the autograph authenticator on the hit TV show, Pawn Stars, has been a … [Read more...] about Autograph Authenticator Steve Grad Says Forgers Getting Creative
Shop Owner Hopes to Help Customers Avoid Fakes
About a year ago, Chris Tinder took over The Sportsroom, a hobby shop in Beaverton, OR, buying the store and everything in it. Like every store owner, he answers questions from area residents who have items to sell. Sometimes the news that the autographed item they bought online and want to sell is likely a forgery. In fact, long before he became a business … [Read more...] about Shop Owner Hopes to Help Customers Avoid Fakes
PSA Offers Online Booking Tool for East Coast Office
PSA has unveiled a new landing page and online appointment booking tool designed to make it easier and less expensive for East Coast collectors to submit their items. The company’s headquarters are in Southern California but it also has a location in Woodbridge, NJ. It opened that office in 2011, but the company says most East Coast-based collectors still send their … [Read more...] about PSA Offers Online Booking Tool for East Coast Office
Beckett Authentication Launches Online Review Service
Beckett Authentication Services has launched a low-cost review service for autographs, one that offers a non-binding opinion in a short period of time. Beckett Signature Review will allow customers to share a link or photo of an autograph that hasn’t been authenticated by the company. For a cost of $10, a Beckett authenticator will review the item and offer their … [Read more...] about Beckett Authentication Launches Online Review Service
SGC Ending Autograph Authentication
SGC will shut down the autograph authentication arm of its business as of the end of the month. The Florida-based company told customers on Wednesday by email that it was making the move to “allow us to focus our full attention on card grading and uniform authentication.” They say submissions that arrive before April 1 will be completed and returned as normal but … [Read more...] about SGC Ending Autograph Authentication
Notes: Shaq’s House–and Stuff–For Sale; Bogus Ruth Ball; Trout Signing; Gretzky Jersey
Got $22 million? You can buy Shaq’s house in Orlando, Florida…and he’ll throw in the memorabilia. “Shaqapulco,” the house he bought 19 years ago on Lake Butler, has 31,000 square feet on four acres, with 12 bedrooms, 11 full baths, a garage big enough for 17 cars, a basketball court ("The Shaq Center"), a pool with a waterfall, a theater and all kinds of personal Shaq … [Read more...] about Notes: Shaq’s House–and Stuff–For Sale; Bogus Ruth Ball; Trout Signing; Gretzky Jersey