"Most Dangerous Autographs"

[Mattingly23NY]

article courtesy of Sports Collector's Digest (SCD)

Tho' this list has been revised on a regular basis. Joe DiMaggio is perhaps the hardest autograph to authenticate, (if you didn't obtain it in person). Due to Joe having his Sister do his fan mail autographs when He was playing.

As well Joe, has over 28 variants of His own legit signatures. With time, and arthritis Joe's penmanship changed, enough to give authentication fits, the morale to this story, if you didn't obtain it in person, then don't bother in most cases to pursue an autograph of a great whose been gone for decades.....Signatures also vary depending on the item being flat or round, the player being in a hurry or taking His time to sign.


http://www.sportscollectorsdigest.c...utm_content=809372_SCD151231&utm_medium=email

Football quarterback Tom Brady, ice hockey center Sidney Crosby and basketball point guard Stephen Curry have been added to the latest buyer-beware list of frequently forged sports stars’ autographs compiled annually by PSA/DNA.

They join other familiar athletes’ names, including Muhammad Ali, Derek Jeter and Babe Ruth, on PSA/DNA’s 2015 “Most Dangerous Autographs” list (www.PSADNA.com/mostdangerous). Reference *** for definition of Professional Sports Authenticators.

“There’s probably less than a 50/50 chance that autographs of many sports stars being offered in the marketplace are genuine,” cautioned Joe Orlando, president of PSA/DNA.


The genuine autograph of George Herman “Babe” Ruth appears on this 1946 check the fabled baseball player signed. Photo credit: PSA/DNA Authentication Services.

side-note: Hundreds of old Tyrus Cobb cancelled checks were once available for sale to collectors; and were a dime a dozen in the 80s...yet a legit way to obtain an autograph that is legit or s/b.

Here are the “Most Dangerous Sports Autographs” of 2015 as compiled by PSA/DNA:

1) Babe Ruth
2) Lou Gehrig
3) Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio
4) Michael Jordan
5) Muhammad Ali
6) Mike Trout
7) Tom Brady
8) Derek Jeter
9) Stephen Curry
10) Sidney Crosby

“There are a lot of so-called ‘deals’ for autographs that can be found online, at local flea markets and even at some collectibles conventions, but most of those ‘deals’ are simply too good to be true. Genuine autographs do not often sell for a huge discount,” warned Orlando.


An example of an authentic autograph of star outfielder Mike Trout. Photo credit: PSA/DNA Authentication Services.

“Whether it’s the signature of a famous sports hero, an entertainment star or an important historical figure, it’s important that consumers buy from reputable sellers who use credible, expert third-party authentication.”

In 2015 PSA/DNA experts evaluated more than 400,000 autographs submitted by collectors and dealers worldwide.

“Unfortunately, just as in past years, a large portion of them were forgeries. In fact, it’s not uncommon for us to reject 50 percent or more of the signatures submitted to our company, especially when it comes to the more prominent names,” explained PSA/DNA Principal Authenticator Steve Grad, who is one of the featured experts on the popular television series, Pawn Stars.

“PSA/DNA does not often receive obvious forgeries for evaluation. So, if our rejection rate for a particular autograph approaches 50 percent, then you can only imagine how high the percentage of forgeries actually might be in the overall marketplace,” stated Orlando.

The public can see and compare hundreds of genuine sports, historical and entertainment autographs online at www.PSAcard.com/AutographFacts, including examples of how a person’s signature may change over the years.

“With the proper precautions and education, collectors can participate in a safe hobby environment and avoid becoming prey for unscrupulous sellers,” said Orlando.


*** - http://www.cardboardconnection.com/collectopedia/autograph-authenticators/psadna-company-profile/

 

[Mattingly23NY]

and a 2nd like minded article:


One Man’s Ticket to Cooperstown
By Tom Talbot

It may have only been a quick conversation in time, but Kevin Thompson remembers it like it was yesterday. The conversation would lead to a couple of special treasures for his collection, but more than that, allow him special entry into Cooperstown one day.
With the induction ceremonies this past summer, one of history’s most dominant pitchers earned his place in baseball lore in Randy Johnson.


Kevin Thompson was at the right place at the right time. He delivered the news to Johnson he was traded to the Mariners, and then asked for his hat and a signed ball. The hat is now in Cooperstown.

But let’s back up, say roughly 30 years. Before his 10 years in Seattle. Before he practiced pitching to a mannequin. Before his Hall of Fame career was solidified in Arizona. It’s May 1989. Thompson was working for the Rochester Red Wings at the time in Triple-A baseball, and this one particular night would stand out.

The Rochester Red Wings were facing the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple A affiliate of the Montreal Expos at home, facing a tall glass of water nicknamed “The Big Unit.” Except he wasn’t “The Big Unit” yet – he was just Randy Johnson. The nicknames would come later. Johnson had seen some action in the Majors in 1988, finally getting a handle on his control problems. Johnson could throw fast – really fast. But he sometimes had no idea where the ball would end up. He logged a lot of walks in the minors and started to gain a reputation as someone no one wanted to bat against for fear of getting their head knocked off. That’s why he ended up pitching to a mannequin – no one wanted to bat against him in practice. Several years later one of his fastballs found a dove on the way to home plate. The dove didn’t live to tell about it.


The hat that now resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thompson was working in the visitors’ clubhouse that night and was planning on driving several players from each team around to the local establishments after the game – a duty they often did for the players. A phone call interrupted the postgame, and it turned out Randy would not be joining the boys on an adventure to the bars that night. He had been traded to the Mariners. After giving him the news, Thompson asked him if he would mind giving him his hat and sign a ball for him. Such things were not frowned upon in those days because no one was rushing home to eBay to post their latest autographs. Johnson said sure and handed him the hat and signed a ball. The signature is much different than what would become Johnson’s signature in the majors – his unique nearly unreadable scrawl that goes for big money. This was his entire name.

So off to the Mariners Johnson went and the ball and hat would sit in a box for years at Thompson’s house. In that time, Johnson built his Hall of Fame career,mowing down batters like almost no one else did before him. He’s one of only two players in the history of baseball with four consecutive Cy Young awards.


Early signature of Randy Johnson.

When it was announced that Johnson was going to be enshrined in Cooperstown this year, Thompson decided it was time to contribute something back to baseball, a sport that has given so much to him. So he contacted the Hall of Fame and asked if they would be interested in the hat to display with all of the other Johnson memorabilia they had acquired over the years.

Thompson was ecstatic when he received approval and a lifelong pass to the Hall of Fame. The hat is now displayed next to the bats, jerseys and awards. The ball? He wanted to hold onto that. It’s not every day you can find a full Randy Johnson signature – especially dating back to the minors.

Thompson continues his lifelong obsession with baseball by serving as the play-by-play announcer for a summer league made up of college players and aspiring minor leaguers. He continues to coach his two sons and still continues his love for sports autographs – especially the one Randy Johnson signed for him in 1989.

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