We host our own online celebrity autographs auction! It doesn't help much that Puig has a basic signature either. In its report, PSA/DNA also points out that not all fake autographs were created with the intent to defraud people. The natural characteristics of. Her legacy and vision of the pastoral German countryside will live on through the Hummel figurines. I understand the "risk" of purchasing a fake with a fake COA. So always look out for the PRIVATE auction warning at the bottom of every eBay listing, and if you see it, avoid it. Of course, the most obvious options to consider are popular online marketplaces, like Craigslist and eBay. Start with buying from reputable dealers. 0 Comments Value: Cut Signature - $125, High-Grade Signed Baseball - $350. For example, some dealers do not accept 3rd party authentication. 0 Likes, 2023 Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin. Obviously, the latter are more valuable. PSA | Remember, companies that knowingly sell forgeries also issue COAs on the fakes, so a COA does not make a fake item real. The purpose of these guidelines is to make you aware of potential risks when deciding to buy autographs based on observations I have experienced over the past 35 years that have raised a"red flag". In the early 1930s, Hummels drawings were published as postcards by Munich-based publisher Ars Sacra. Copies frequently use cheaper materials like chalk, plaster, or even plastic. Ink color. Create a signNow account (if you haven't registered yet) or log in using your Google or Facebook. So to help you avoid the forgers on eBay I have come up with these 'Golden Rules' ignore them at your peril! When the Nazi regime came into power, all religious schools, including the Sisters of Siessen, were closed down. Different logos were used in different periods, which makes it easy to identify how old your Hummel is. However, there is no one that loathes the 3rdparty authentication services more than the forgery industry, for obvious reasons. The color palette can be recognized across genuine Hummel figurines. Covid Policy, TRUE LEGACY CU | However, when the Beswick company was later bought, no documentation, molds, or references for the Hummel figurines were discovered. Likewise, if a genuine signed John Wayne, Frank Sinatra or Judy Garland photo was being offered for $299, it would be purchased immediately. The list consists of those who have clean records with regard to their associations and reputations in the industry, lack of ethics complaints and continue to remain . What to look for in a dealers presentation, reputation and behavior that may be a red flag that something isn't right. Hummel's estimated fair market value: $913.67. Ask others about any dealer that has something you want. Hey guys. I have been the UACC ethics board member for the UK and Vice Chairman of AFTAL, work with both Trading Standards and the Police on fraud cases, have written a number of articles on fakes and how to avoid them, advised TV's ' The Real Hustle' and 'Inside Out' as well as 'Fake Britain' 'Pawn Stars UK' and 'Posh Pawn'. Produced for the 25th anniversary of the Hummel figurine, Ring Around the Rosie depicts four little girls holding hands and playing in a circle. You can see where the forger is tracing slowly at the beginning so the ink is applied heavily in the first few letters. Avoid, or at the very least check out, the sellers who make excessive claims as to where they obtain their stock from etc. What Is a Date Of Death Appraisal (Complete Guide)? The industry wide forgery containment value of 3rdparty authentication on the other hand, is undeniable. Is the signature interesting/unusual/unique without the photo/item? Autograph Live: It's easy to add a musician-direct sales notice as a discussion. Many historic autograph dealers rarely use third-party authenticators, and some of dealers in entertainment autographs don't use them that much, but virtually all will give you a refund under the terms of their guarantee if the autograph fails an authenticator respected by the industry. At this point its worth us pointing your towards our "BLOG" articles, here is one on COA's. Many celebrities have used them over the years to respond to autograph requests through the mail. Return Policy: But you wouldn't know it from the inventories of certain stores out there. Take anonymous complaints or complaints from people using fictitious names with a grain of salt. A HUGE red flag is a seller of elaborately framed memorabilia, but no close-up images of the actual autograph. Autograph Report Made Easy Get rid of paperwork and automate document processing for more efficiency and endless possibilities. Don't take risks with your money, if an item seems too good to be true, then you can be pretty damn sure that its a fake, if in doubt, then don't! This guide can help you identify your Hummel figurine and its worth, however, its not exhaustive. 6 members like this. Ask around about the seller (but don't ask them! We have also noted PSA/DNA's value estimations for authentic autographs. This is one way forsuspect dealers to avoid the close scrutiny of their autographs by experienced eyes. Special individual Hummel figurines can be sold for thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars. Few dealers are going to reveal what they paid for an item, and may not want to share their source, but any reputable dealer will have receipts for items they have purchased other than the specific items you are interested in buying. In no order here are some things I think about: Original/virgin /untrimmed photo/item (no tape, folds spots, restoration etc considering item/age/other factors)? 0 Comments The last thing they want is for you to be buying fakes. This happened to me. Also, look at how unnatural the "Fr" connection is in the Frank forgery. Although a dealer in historical autographs can probably get Lincoln fairly quickly. I hope the above has been of some use to you. A full bee is typically depicted in older models, and the image pays homage to Hummel, whose name means bumblebee in German. Information. Is the COA issued by the seller? And ignore his stories about how he knows all the stars, has contacts within a club, or only buys from AFTAL or UACC dealers, its normally all just clap trap! Some of this is unavoidable - minor smudges happen). What are the chances of receiving a fake? Hummel agreed, reserving the right to choose the official color palette and approve every single figurine. There have been countless write-ups and articles about what to look for when it comes to buying autographs. A real Madonna is a very rare thing indeed (ask any genuine dealer! The market will not allow this to happen. I have only a small number of autographs, none of them sports stars, most of which were signed in person, so I have no doubt about their authenticity. Recent auction/sale results for like material? A forger will not only fake the COA and the signature, but the story to back it all up as well. only to find out the autograph is fake and worth no more than . Fake Hummels are usually colored similarly, but not quite the same, making it easy to spot a reproduction. Thus the Dubler figurines were born. Or natural characteristics in certain letters may be missing or unnatural. To check their sales go to 'Advanced Search' then 'Search by Seller' and remember to click on 'Include Completed Listings'. Ink color clash with item/image? 2 Comments I guess what I am asking is, how are these things regulated with online purchases? The PRIVATE bidding option prevents you (the buyer) from finding out what they (the seller) has previously sold, it prevents other eBay members from warning you about their fakes or scams, and worst of all, it allows the seller to bid against you without you knowing! Forget about any COA, an item is either real or its fake, and no amount of classy COA with triple holograms, a wax seal, fancy ribbon, DNA, or nice paper will make a poor fake into a genuine bargain. And most, if not all of the time a suspicious autograph seller will have more than one conflict within these guidelines/examples..The point is to look for a pattern of behavior. Virtually all credible authenticators and dealerswho have rejected fakes or exposed fake sellers have phony complaintspostedagainstthem. Indeed, they will even create a nice story to help it along, or find some images of a signing on Google to add to the 'provenance' of the fake items they sell. Locations CLIENTS It has an unnatural, freshly signed look to it with no aging at all. Leading the way, once again, is Babe Ruth. A COA in itself does not and can never prove or confirm that an item is authentic, an item is either real or its not, and no amount of paperwork can make a fake item authentic. If one ever does it will sell for many thousands of dollars, not $399 like this particular site sells them for. It's even more valuable with the porcelain identification plaque, which came with the original figurines. Hummel was personally attacked for her art. After graduating with honors from the State School of Applied Arts in Munich in 1931, Berta joined the Franciscan Sisters of Siessen, where she was given the name of Maria Innocentia. There is one seller on eBay right now that claims to be a leading light in the "in person" autograph collecting field, but ask any of the well known in person autograph collectors, and they will all tell you they have never heard of him! 7) No provenance or evidence of purchase. Some of the early models (tmk-1, tmk-2, and tmk-3) are among the highest-priced Hummel figurines ever. Items still slip through the cracks. How does this fit in with other items I have collected using similar criterion? How can I trust these sites if everything could be a fake? A COA is only as good as the issuer. Start your free trial No credit card required Award-winning eSignature solution Send my document for signature Get your document eSigned by multiple recipients. "I have worked in the music business for 30 years" "item comes with an impeccable references from someone in the film industry" "I buy my items from UACC or AFTAL dealers and other registered sources" (neither the UACC or AFTAL allow anyone to make this claim unless they state EXACTLY who they purchased from. When speaking of her creative insight, her mother, Victoria Hummel, said a bunch of pretty flowers, a pleasing childs face, a beautiful evening mood, an autumnal forest. Hummels signature. Both the UACC and AFTAL have the ability to remove any listing from eBay. Once the sculpture was approved, a master model was made. Goebel produced the first Hummel figurines in 1935 and production continues until this day. I have a bunch of personally watched, met, and signed autos from athletes that I got COA's for from Beckett. To check their sales simply go to the left hand column and tick the SOLD box, and hey presto you will then see a full list of their past sales. If the seller does not or will not accept either, and you have any doubts about the seller, then don't bid. @Dgoldfe13 said: Also, be sure to do your homework re prices as well. Agree with Steve, as well as all those framing options. Always pay for items using PayPal, if you don't have an account then open one, worst case pay using your credit card. Latest Activity: Apr 5, 2022. Is that terrible? Organizations which do not hold members accountable, even credible organizations like the Manuscript Society or Better Business Bureau, should, One of the best ways to find out about the reputation of a dealer is to ask other collectors and professionals in active autograph forums and communities like Autograph. Size and complexity Bigger and more sophisticated models are usually worth more. Terms of Service. You are always helpful. The point is to look for a pattern of behavior. These porcelain figurines embody the simple beauty of the early 20th century Bavarian countryside. Most will try to convince you that industry-recognized third-party authentication services are not credible. The truth is that some of these 'sellers' have been refused membership or have already been thrown out! Always check the feedback. For one thing sizes a very different. Tags: autograph, autographs, collectible, forgeries, !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); It's the same for a regular UACC members, but it's much less common for them to find out if someone's selling forgeries. These numbers are usually cast with the figurine or incised in the soft porcelain, so they are a permanent identification feature. If the dealer can get such a rare autograph quickly, it's probably being made to order. Click Upload and select one of your documents. Always check the location of the seller. What he is really saying is that if you ever request a refund because the autograph is deemed a fake there will be no documented guarantee and hence no recourse for you to get a refund. Once youre sure of the type, authenticity, and you have a ballpark of its worth, its time to make some cash. Quite different from ink that has aged over a 50 year period. Unfortunately, eBay decided that this guide infringed eBay policies, and it has now removed it! Mickey Mantle: Photo - $150, High-Grade Signed Baseball - $600 Report an Issue | He has had a deal with Upper Deck for more than a decade. An experienced collector would buy it immediately. The item I buy has a COA come with it. Also, these steps are not "set in stone". Terms Of Service It does not cost anything to monitor signatures at auction and see what has which papers and what actually sells with or without. Heres a brief overview of the process: First, an artwork of Maria Innocentia Hummel was selected for the new figurine. Besides the actual witnessing of an autograph. RED FLAG: It is common for sellers of autograph forgeries to consistently claim their autograph inventory was acquired from a deceased source, since such a claim cannot be verified. Just wanted to add Autograph COA (ACOA) to this list. 819 Massachusetts St. A boy or a girl figurine sitting on an apple tree branch. The following list, very carefully compiled, is of those autograph dealers and auction houses that pass muster in the Credible Authenticity Library. Authentic autographs can be worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Pure fabricated trash. COA's. Value: Mickey Mantle: Photo - $150, High-Grade Signed Baseball - $600 Ted Williams: Baseball - $350-500 Joe DiMaggio: Baseball - $300 4. However, there is no one that loathes the 3, party authentication services more than the forgery industry, for obvious reasons. Quick Links: you can obtain some excellent bargains. Home Guides Top 10 Most Forged Sports Memorabilia Signatures. The Goebel company uses a specific porcelain mix which makes the final product feel rather solid. Here is the complete list of most dangerous sports autographs from PSA/DNA. In 1940, Germany stopped sending products for Dubler to sell. But if its fake, then its fake, and it will always be fake! Buying autographs on eBay is a great way to build a collection, and at the moment its still a buyers market, and with good knowledge (and with the use of a sniper!) If it's an autograph being auctioned, you can ask PSA/DNA for a Quick Opinion. I also attended the very first eBay University here in the UK, and was even trained by eBay as an eBay Education Specialist, and have given tuition to dozens of people on eBay to both buy and sell, and expand their business, so when it comes to eBay and autographs I believe I know what I am talking about! Hummel and her darling figurines. They soon caught the eye of Franz Goebelmaster porcelain maker and owner of the W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik. Despite signing thousands upon thousands of autographs while under contract with Upper Deck and Upper Deck Authenticated, the supply is not nearly enough to satisfy demand. And there are many websites like that one. But in this crazy world we live in where many people are money-hungry, fake autographs exist. I am relatively new to this autograph game but, I know that PSA/DNA, JSA are the top COA's (I haven't read about scandals). Tweet Hummels enticing designs made for lots of copycats, imitations, and pieces inspired by her drawings. The last auction ended on 04/29/2023 at 7:00 PM CST! Another good rule to go by (but not foolproof) is that if something is too good to be true, it probably is. And most, if not all of the time a suspicious autograph seller will have more than one conflict within these guidelines/examples.. 5) They don't have autographs for sale on eBay. An authentic Ford photo would sell starting at $300-$500 depending on the pose. Now I realize that there are reputable dealers who may fail one of the above tests. Larger figurines and those with a base also received M.I. https://www.autographcoa.com/. It shouldn't be surprising that a Patek Philippe holds the world auction record for a watch ($31.2 million for a Patek Grandmaster Chime, sold at Christie's).Known for impeccable craftsmanship and some of the most complicated timepieces ever created, the brand is considered by many to be the height of fine watchmaking.Collectors simply love Patek Philippe watches. We have enough of that to go around. With their soothing pastel colors and adorable characters, the figurines amassed millions of Hummel collectors to this day. In particular, many forgers and unethical dealers have used online review to silence or retaliate against anyone who speaks out against them. Where you say "Google the dealer"This has become a very gray area on the internet. For example, one website that sells autographed movie posters always have plenty of Godfather signed posters, even including Marlon Brando's autograph.