General InformationI've been a sports autograph collector, dealer and authenticator for 20 years.back to topCLICK THE E MAIL ICON TO SEND ME AN E MAIL. I've been the consultant/autograph authenticator to two NYC auction houses, including Guernsey's (seller of the Mark McGwire $3,000,000 ball) and Phillips Gallery. I was the consultant/authenticator for the New York Sports Museum and Hall of Fame auction.
I also wrote the autograph column for what was the leading publication in the hobby: Beckett Sports Collectibles. I completed an extensive correspondence course in Forensic Document Examination, offered by a Board Certified Forensic Examiner.
I have been a consultant to law enforcement agencies in N.Y. regarding fraud in the autograph market. My court testimony helped to convict a forger (the case was People vs. Beram & Dubcek) in Nassau County, NY. I was declared an EXPERT WITNESS in sports autographs by the judge. The original complainant in the case was the head of the Ted Williams Museum in Florida. I have letters of thanks from the prosecution and complainant. My testimony helped convict the forger. DO NOT LET ANY EBAY SELLER TELL YOU THAT MY TESTIMONY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN COURT. My testimony has already been accepted in a N.Y. State Court. Remember the autograph business flourished for 150 years without "handwriting experts" and their "opinions". Don't let sellers on ebay change that. Read my forgery alert page.
I have also worked with the Department of Consumer Affairs in New York City in an investigation of bogus autographs sold on ebay. MANY THOUSANDS of bogus autographs were sold on ebay. As a result of this investigation many autographs and a number of sellers were removed from ebay. Two autographs on ebay that I determined were not authentic were submitted to unbiased, forensic examiners in the NYC Police Department. These examiners agreed with me that the autographs were NOT authentic and they submitted written reports, which I have copies of.
Another ebay item that I thought not authentic was submitted to an unbiased forensic police examiner in Northern California. She also agreed with my findings and submitted a written report, which I have a copy of.
I am a consultant to Sweet Spot Magazine. I was a participant in their Internet survey of Babe Ruth autographs and I am quoted in an article about the results of that survey.
I am prominently mentioned in a book about the McGwire ball auction called "The Ball" by Daniel Paisner.
How I Save Clients MoneyI received a "Lou Gehrig" signed ball to authenticate, sold on ebay. The ball has a Spalding logo above the sweet spot and a weird looking Official American League Ball print on the sweet spot. I did not like the signature and Spalding did not make Official American League balls until 1975! I contacted a leading expert on old balls. He examined the logos and told me that "Official American League Ball" was actually written on the ball, and that particular Spalding logo below the sweet spot, identified the ball as coming out AFTER Gehrig's death. The ball came with a numbered COA, from a handwriting examiner, which the buyer sent to me (COA # JT759). The same ID numbers were written on the ball. I saved this buyer $3000!! The ball was once again immediately placed on ebay when the seller received it back.back to top
Remember When I Authenticate
- Items are returned to you in the same condition as I received them (no sealing of your items, no writing, no labels, no marks placed on your valuable items).
- Items are scanned and always available for comparison if you sell your item.
- You receive a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, with a picture of the item, and my embossed corporate seal, if the item is deemed to be authentic.
- Turnaround time is one week or less, fastest in the industry.
- Ebay has new rules about certificates of authenticity. You MUST post in your ebay ad where your COA has come from. My COA is accepted by ebay and known and respected by most collectors. Many COA's are no longer accepted by ebay.
- You receive a letter of explanation if I cannot state that the item is authentic.
- And you receive very reasonable prices, most are $20-$75 for individual autographs. COMPARE AND SAVE.
CLICK THE E MAIL ICON TO SEND ME AN E MAIL. - When you purchase an autograph authentication you are buying the opinion of the examiner. I have 20 years of experience in this field. I am not a yes man for favored clients. I don't send out certificates to anyone who wants me to say "yes this item is authentic". My opinion is as highly regarded as anyone in this field, but remember it is an opinion, an opinion of a very experienced person in this field.
