How To Detect A Forged Celebrity Autograph.
Collecting autographed memorabilia is a fun hobby that can potentially be very lucrative if done right
. Unfortunately, there are lots of unscrupulous dealers out there who often try to take advantage of nave collectors by selling them forgeries. Fakes and forgeries are especially common in the sports memorabilia industry. They are often forged so that they can be sold to collectors who are often only concerned with the resale value of these items. It can happen to the best of us, but there are a few things you can do to protect yourself against the disappointment and frustration of being ripped off. If you are looking to buy a celebrity autograph, then it is always advisable to have this signature appraised by an experienced professional so you can have a definitive answer as to whether the signature is fake or authentic.When purchasing celebrity autographs whether off the internet or from a seller in person you need to consider how that seller has gained his or her reputation. In the memorabilia industry, a dealer is defined by their reputations. If a buyer has had a bad or unprofessional experience with a seller then they will usually warn other buyers not to use them so make use of the reviews that other buyers have recorded. The only time when a dealers reputation does not define them so much is when autographs for sale at places like eBay and other online auction sites lure impulse buyers to snap up a so-called good deal. Dont let yourself be seduced by a good idea that you forget to check out the character of the person youre buying from.
You should be wary of high-quality and low-quality copies. High-quality copies are the way that fraudsters are successful in selling on their items. Even though forgeries may vary in terms of quality, but nevertheless they still are not authentic examples of autographed memorabilia. It can be very hard to detect copies, therefore it is wise to have the autograph authenticated by an expert before purchasing if possible. If you do not do this then you will be dramatically increase your chances of buying a forgery.
At the same time as being on the look out for low-quality copies you should also be aware of flawless or too perfect signatures. Of course an authentic celebrity autograph is not any less real if it is signed on a scrap of paper, but if slick presentation can often hide a forgery. Beware of attractively packaged, framed, glossy photographs with a perfect autograph in shiny ink as this could quite possibly be a fake. Play safe and get an expert to check it out for you.
In order to not be caught out, do some research. A lot of the time, a little bit of research can mean that the most flagrant forgery can be avoided. This includes knowing what the celebritys actual signature should look like. This may sound obvious but lots of people dont actually know what their favourite celebs autograph should look like and are caught out. You should also look to see what type of ink or paper was used and find out if this is consistent with that used by the celebrity in question.
Dont be afraid to ask the buyer about the history of the item and be sure to really listen to their answer. Make sure the story makes sense and if you can ask for to verifiable proof such as a photograph. Take the time to verify the story behind the celebrity autograph as forgeries are often pawned off when the seller does not provide an accurate background history.
For more information on authentic celebrity autographs then visit Genuine Memorabilias website by clicking here.
by: Suzlar