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Win Some... Lose Some
Over the past few years, I've slowly been picking up autographs at the flea market without any idea of whether or not they're real or forged. I did the basic research and compared the signatures to certified signatures online, but since I wasn't there to witness the signing... I had to have a little faith and hope that one day they'd pass PSA's standards.
Now I realize that PSA isn't the lord commander of autograph authenticity. They're just a company that hires people who analyze autographs. Those people then give their professional opinion on whether or not your signatures are authentic or not.
We've all read and heard the numerous stories where PSA has screwed up and authenticated signatures that weren't real. They've also shot down some of my buddy's submissions even though he acquired the signatures in person. The bottom line is they're human, so they aren't perfect.
However... they have a fairly decent reputation and items that have been certified by them tend to have a higher resale value, so that's enough to sell me on their services.
Last month, they set up at the annual TriStar show at the Cow Palace. One of my buddies has a friend who works for them, so I was able to get my items authenticated at a discounted rate.
Today's post reveals the hits and misses from my autograph submission.
Flea Market Item #1: Willie Mays Baseball
Last August, I found this autographed baseball at the Branham Flea Market and paid$8. It looked good and the price was right, so I snatched it up.
What did the people over at PSA think? Ding. Ding. Ding. We have a winner. It passed.
Flea Market Item #2: Charlton Heston and Colin Powell Photos
Back in November, one of my friends picked up a binder filled with autographed photos. I grabbed the Carlton Heston and Colin Powell for $20 and was offered a money back guarantee if they didn't pass.
Well... as you can see from the image... the Four Star General passed. But Mosesdidn't. I'm a little surprised, because I compared it to this photo that PSA did certify and they're pretty similar:
Before I get into the purchase, watch this:
Last week, Leicester Citydefied the odds when they were crowned Premier League Champions. It is considered one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports. Thirty-six years ago another sports juggernaut was unexpectedly taken down during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, when U.S.hockey team defeated the Soviet Unionnational team.
I found this signed puck at the Capitol Flea Market back in 2013 sitting on the ground. The lady's asking price?Five dollars. No need for negotiations... this puck was worth the $5risk.
And the risk paid off... at least according to PSA. The puck was signed by Mike Eruzione, who was the team captain for Team USA and the guy who scored the game winning goal in the gold medal game. That play instantly made him an Americanicon and this purchase instantly made me a very happy collector.
Flea Market Item #4: Jerry Rice Mini Helmet
Jerry Rice is hands down the greatest wide receiver I've ever seen play... and this is coming from a Steve Largent and Seattle Seahawksfan who isn't too fond of the San Francisco 49ers or the Oakland Raiders.
One of the regular vendors at the Capitol Flea Market also works at the Santa Clara Convention Center. That's where they used to hold the annualGTSM Sports Memorabiliashows. Anyways... the guy had his nephew grab this autograph a few years ago and I bought it off of him for $25.
After comparing this signature to other certifiedRiceautographs, I was pretty confident that this helmet would pass. I was wrong.
eBay Item #1: George R. R. Martin Hat
I've already shared this story with you a few weeks ago. If you missed it and wanna check it out... click here.
Quick summary: Bought this hat signed by the Game of Thronescreator for $35 and a few months later... PSAcertified it.
eBay Item #2: Mr. Fuji Photo
I've written about this signed photo already too. Interested? Click here.
Quick summary: I picked up this signed photo off of eBaylast year for just under $16 and was waiting around to have PSA take a look at it. Thankfully it passed.
I actually submitted a few other items that were actually in-person autographs. All of them passed as well.
At the end of the day, I submitted thirteen items and eleven of them passed. Like the title of the post says, "win some... lose some".
Have a great week everyone. Happy Tuesday and sayonara!
More...
Now I realize that PSA isn't the lord commander of autograph authenticity. They're just a company that hires people who analyze autographs. Those people then give their professional opinion on whether or not your signatures are authentic or not.
We've all read and heard the numerous stories where PSA has screwed up and authenticated signatures that weren't real. They've also shot down some of my buddy's submissions even though he acquired the signatures in person. The bottom line is they're human, so they aren't perfect.
However... they have a fairly decent reputation and items that have been certified by them tend to have a higher resale value, so that's enough to sell me on their services.
Last month, they set up at the annual TriStar show at the Cow Palace. One of my buddies has a friend who works for them, so I was able to get my items authenticated at a discounted rate.
Today's post reveals the hits and misses from my autograph submission.
Flea Market Item #1: Willie Mays Baseball
Last August, I found this autographed baseball at the Branham Flea Market and paid$8. It looked good and the price was right, so I snatched it up.
What did the people over at PSA think? Ding. Ding. Ding. We have a winner. It passed.
Flea Market Item #2: Charlton Heston and Colin Powell Photos
Back in November, one of my friends picked up a binder filled with autographed photos. I grabbed the Carlton Heston and Colin Powell for $20 and was offered a money back guarantee if they didn't pass.
Well... as you can see from the image... the Four Star General passed. But Mosesdidn't. I'm a little surprised, because I compared it to this photo that PSA did certify and they're pretty similar:
Oh well. Can't win them all.
Flea Market Item #3: Mike Eruzione Puck
Flea Market Item #3: Mike Eruzione Puck
Before I get into the purchase, watch this:
Last week, Leicester Citydefied the odds when they were crowned Premier League Champions. It is considered one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports. Thirty-six years ago another sports juggernaut was unexpectedly taken down during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, when U.S.hockey team defeated the Soviet Unionnational team.
I found this signed puck at the Capitol Flea Market back in 2013 sitting on the ground. The lady's asking price?Five dollars. No need for negotiations... this puck was worth the $5risk.
And the risk paid off... at least according to PSA. The puck was signed by Mike Eruzione, who was the team captain for Team USA and the guy who scored the game winning goal in the gold medal game. That play instantly made him an Americanicon and this purchase instantly made me a very happy collector.
Flea Market Item #4: Jerry Rice Mini Helmet
Jerry Rice is hands down the greatest wide receiver I've ever seen play... and this is coming from a Steve Largent and Seattle Seahawksfan who isn't too fond of the San Francisco 49ers or the Oakland Raiders.
One of the regular vendors at the Capitol Flea Market also works at the Santa Clara Convention Center. That's where they used to hold the annualGTSM Sports Memorabiliashows. Anyways... the guy had his nephew grab this autograph a few years ago and I bought it off of him for $25.
After comparing this signature to other certifiedRiceautographs, I was pretty confident that this helmet would pass. I was wrong.
eBay Item #1: George R. R. Martin Hat
I've already shared this story with you a few weeks ago. If you missed it and wanna check it out... click here.
Quick summary: Bought this hat signed by the Game of Thronescreator for $35 and a few months later... PSAcertified it.
eBay Item #2: Mr. Fuji Photo
I've written about this signed photo already too. Interested? Click here.
Quick summary: I picked up this signed photo off of eBaylast year for just under $16 and was waiting around to have PSA take a look at it. Thankfully it passed.
I actually submitted a few other items that were actually in-person autographs. All of them passed as well.
At the end of the day, I submitted thirteen items and eleven of them passed. Like the title of the post says, "win some... lose some".
Have a great week everyone. Happy Tuesday and sayonara!
More...