Collectibles and authenticity.

[Bobblehead]

There are lots of websites selling sports memorabilia, especially autographed items. How do you know if the signatures are authentic. Heck, I could print up a COA and make it look real. Who are the credible authenticators? What names should I look for? Any that are known to be fraudulent?

[GrrlGoalie33]

You should contact Seabass. He runs a sports memorabilia company. He's got a thread on the CP Power Ring.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Frankster

You should contact Seabass. He runs a sports memorabilia company. He's got a thread on the CP Power Ring.

I'd forgotten about him.

I just looked and it looks like he deals with autographed pictures. I was looking at signed 49er jerseys, footballs or perhaps mini-helmets (I probably can't afford them, but a guy can dream). I saw a bunch on other sites but had no idea to tell if any of the stuff was authentic.

[habernac]

I'm really wary of that sort of thing. I remember a shop in Ft McMurray where the owner would laugh and do an exact copy of Patrick Roy's signature and sell the damn thing. The only autographed stuff I have are ones I've got myself.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by habernac

I'm really wary of that sort of thing. I remember a shop in Ft McMurray where the owner would laugh and do an exact copy of Patrick Roy's signature and sell the damn thing. The only autographed stuff I have are ones I've got myself.

Exactly. I recall a story from toronto when Paul Molitor played for the Jays. He stopped for gas and saw bats being sold that were autographed by Olerud, Alomar and himself. The thing is, he hadn't done them. So he notified police and they were able to arrest the ones who were producing the fakes.

That's why I was wondering if there is a trusted certification authority. I know a lot of athletes are paid to autograph stuff, but outside of the official league or Team sites (or seeing them do it personally, but when am I ever going to meet Montana, Young or Rice?), how do you know if the stuff is real.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Seabass can probably give you some good pointers and things to look for though...

[Seabass]

Hey guys:

There are several companies out there that sell this sort of thing that have the backing of the NHL or NFL. You should always look for these names. Frozen Pond, Hockey Ink, Steiner and Schwartz Sports are all good names. Frozen Pond in Toronto holds public signings with players all the time, almost every weekend. We deal with them for a lot of our hockey items. They are an officially licensed NHL partner. Hockey Ink is great too. They are both on NHL auctions.

Also, guys like Brett Favre, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice have their own companies, and each picture they sign has its own hologram. If you get a Favre or Montana that does not have this, chances are its either fake, or they caught the athlete coming out a hotel or something.

Some of the bigger companies are signing these athletes to exclusive contracts. Especially Steiner Sports.

They are saying now 80% of autographs on Ebay are fakes. So I would advise to stay away from buying on Ebay at first.

If you do want to purchase on Ebay from someone who doesn't go with the above names, look for items that have been PSA/DNA or GAI approved. They are third party authenticators, that review all items sent to them.

I would suggest for NFL items like jerseys, mini helmets, check out this website:

www.prosportsmemorabilia.com

We deal with them, as they get all their items through reputable names.

Hope this helps.

[Bobblehead]

Awesome info, thanks, Seabass.

[habernac]

seabass, kickin' some ass.



Good info, dude.

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by habernac

I'm really wary of that sort of thing. I remember a shop in Ft McMurray where the owner would laugh and do an exact copy of Patrick Roy's signature and sell the damn thing. The only autographed stuff I have are ones I've got myself.

LOL, I fabricated a Grant Fuhr signed Calgary Flames mini-goalie stick to fool my buddy back in high school, he totally fell for it.