A few days ago I featured a Batman 222 (Beatles Cover) that I picked up at my local comics shop. My copy is in the 9.0 range... give or take a half grade.
Well, here's a CGC 9.4 that closed at $587 on ebay. My God... I'm speechless.
Monday, June 07, 2004
Caveat Emptor!
Browsing through ebay, Reagan forgeries outnumber the real deal about 10 to 1. Now is a very bad time to purchase a Reagan signed item... the market is flooded with fakes, and you will overpay for authentic material. Be patient, there is plenty of authentic material out there, and in several months the prices will go to normal levels.
A few pointers... stay away from:
* Unusual signed items - baseballs, flags, etc. 99.9% of them are fake.
* Items of opportunity - these are items that someone finds at a garage sale for 25 cents and is a "cheap investment" as forgery fodder. Examples include, postal covers, signed buttons, signed pamphlets, signed postcards, signed books that are not the books he would sign through his office, etc.
* Items with "too good to be true" inscriptions such as "Tear Down the Wall", "I Forgot to Duck", etc. Almost all of these are fake, and beware of signed typed quotes. There is a guy on ebay that has been selling these for years... I think they are all fakes.
* Unpersonalized signed photos in the perfect pose (flag in background, etc.) These are almost always fake.
* Books that are signed (not on a bookplate). Reagan never did any booksignings and books sent to his office were affixed with a bookplate. Authentically signed books are very rare.
If you have any items you'd like me to take a look at, please leave a link in a comment and I'll look into it.
A few pointers... stay away from:
* Unusual signed items - baseballs, flags, etc. 99.9% of them are fake.
* Items of opportunity - these are items that someone finds at a garage sale for 25 cents and is a "cheap investment" as forgery fodder. Examples include, postal covers, signed buttons, signed pamphlets, signed postcards, signed books that are not the books he would sign through his office, etc.
* Items with "too good to be true" inscriptions such as "Tear Down the Wall", "I Forgot to Duck", etc. Almost all of these are fake, and beware of signed typed quotes. There is a guy on ebay that has been selling these for years... I think they are all fakes.
* Unpersonalized signed photos in the perfect pose (flag in background, etc.) These are almost always fake.
* Books that are signed (not on a bookplate). Reagan never did any booksignings and books sent to his office were affixed with a bookplate. Authentically signed books are very rare.
If you have any items you'd like me to take a look at, please leave a link in a comment and I'll look into it.
Speaking My Mind
As my previous post indicated, Ronald Reagan would sign books, if you sent the right one (or two). Speaking My Mind is the first of the two that I sent to his office in 1997.
It returned several weeks later with this authentically signed bookplate, my first Reagan success. It's very close to the classic Reagan signature and my guess is that this bookplate was probably signed prior to 1997 because it shows a little weakness, but no substantive deterioration.
More to come...
It returned several weeks later with this authentically signed bookplate, my first Reagan success. It's very close to the classic Reagan signature and my guess is that this bookplate was probably signed prior to 1997 because it shows a little weakness, but no substantive deterioration.
More to come...
Sunday, June 06, 2004
Reagan Signed Books
As late as 1998, one could get an authentic signature from Ronald Reagan's office. With the proper request, his office would affix an authentically signed bookplate into a book - if you sent the right book. Here is a letter on how to do it from his office:
It has been theorized that they gave President Reagan stacks of bookplates to sign... almost as form of therapy as the illness took hold. As you will see in later examples, someone from his office added the recipient's name in calligraphic form, but the Reagan signature itself was authentic through 1998. Requests after 1998 were answered with an Autopen signature. Perhaps the supply ran out and he was no longer able to sign at this point? Signed book examples will follow tomorrow.
It has been theorized that they gave President Reagan stacks of bookplates to sign... almost as form of therapy as the illness took hold. As you will see in later examples, someone from his office added the recipient's name in calligraphic form, but the Reagan signature itself was authentic through 1998. Requests after 1998 were answered with an Autopen signature. Perhaps the supply ran out and he was no longer able to sign at this point? Signed book examples will follow tomorrow.
A Great American Rides Into The Sunset
Unless you've been under a rock for the past 30 hours, by now you know that Ronald Reagan has died.
I'm really too sad other than to say that he was a hero of mine. I mourn his loss, but I am relieved his suffering is over.
In the next few days I will display some of my Ronald Reagan autographs.
I'm really too sad other than to say that he was a hero of mine. I mourn his loss, but I am relieved his suffering is over.
In the next few days I will display some of my Ronald Reagan autographs.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
CGC Bound?
Picked up a few nice books at the local comic shop. After I give 'em a thorough reading, I'm debating if I will send them to CGC.
The Bats 222 sports a classic Neal Adams cover and is very desirable in high grade. This copy has a few hairline ticks along the spine, but CGC can be very forgiving when it comes to certain books. There is a small horizontal bend above the top staple... I fear that CGC would knock it down more for the bend than the small spine stresses. My guess on this one would be CGC 9.0... but I would not be surprised to see it swing between 8.5 or 9.2.
This Captain America Annual #3 is real nice, a sure 9.2 and probably a 9.4. I just love this Kirby cover... I still have the beat-up copy I bought from the newsstand way back when.
The Bats 222 sports a classic Neal Adams cover and is very desirable in high grade. This copy has a few hairline ticks along the spine, but CGC can be very forgiving when it comes to certain books. There is a small horizontal bend above the top staple... I fear that CGC would knock it down more for the bend than the small spine stresses. My guess on this one would be CGC 9.0... but I would not be surprised to see it swing between 8.5 or 9.2.
This Captain America Annual #3 is real nice, a sure 9.2 and probably a 9.4. I just love this Kirby cover... I still have the beat-up copy I bought from the newsstand way back when.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Photos from Air & Space Show
Hey, I finally figured out how to put photos in the blog! So, here are some pictures from the Air & Space Show in Titusville,Florida this past weekend.
This is me with Apollo 15 moonwalker Dave Scott:
And here I am with ISS Cosmonaut Yuri Usachev:
More to come...
This is me with Apollo 15 moonwalker Dave Scott:
And here I am with ISS Cosmonaut Yuri Usachev:
More to come...
First Annual Air & Space Show
The Air & Space show I helped to produce went off this past weekend with great success. To see photos and what some of the attendees had to say, go to
I was lucky enough to get a bunch of photos signed, including my wooden Saturn V model which I added Dave Scott, Paul Weitz and Jack Lousma. I'm running out of real estate on the model, so I'm not sure I can add many more signatures. If Neil Armstrong wanted to sign, I might have to find room by whiting out a previous signature. ;-)
Once I figure out how to put photos in this Blog, I'd be happy to post some of my own pictures.
Stay tuned for the Second Annual Air & Space show.
I was lucky enough to get a bunch of photos signed, including my wooden Saturn V model which I added Dave Scott, Paul Weitz and Jack Lousma. I'm running out of real estate on the model, so I'm not sure I can add many more signatures. If Neil Armstrong wanted to sign, I might have to find room by whiting out a previous signature. ;-)
Once I figure out how to put photos in this Blog, I'd be happy to post some of my own pictures.
Stay tuned for the Second Annual Air & Space show.
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Dealer List Updated
I've removed a few listings from my Dealer List page, most notably Eagle Sports. I've received reports that they were selling items with "J. DiMaggio" COAs, and at least one of the items was submitted to PSA/DNA and came back as a forgery. As you may know, "J. DiMaggio" COAs (no relation to the baseball player) were among those exposed by the FBI a few years ago in Operation Bullpen.
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Come To The Air And Space Show in May
Air And Space Show - Florida
I am assisting my buddy Al with organizing the first annual Air & Space Show. Check out the website and make your travel plans!
I am assisting my buddy Al with organizing the first annual Air & Space Show. Check out the website and make your travel plans!
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Ebay Hi-Jinx
eBay item 2197946147 (Ends Oct-26-03 18:05:08 PST) - Neil Armstrong Autographed Picture COOL !!
Here is an interesting lot. This is an undoubtedly real Neil Armstrong Autograph. Somehow, this flew below the radar and the winner, a friend of mine, picked it up for a bargain price of $90. This item could easily get around $1,500 if it was properly promoted. My buddy was excited and posted the story of his bargain in a few public message boards. Now, the story takes a bad turn.
Shortly thereafter, the seller informed my friend that the photo was accidentally torn and no longer available. Not too likely. What really happened was that someone contacted the seller and offered him more money for the photo. Unfortunately, there is nothing that anyone can do to "prove" this and force the sale to the rightful winner.
We can learn a lesson from this story... There are a lot of underhanded sleazeballs out there, and never brag about a great bargain until it's in your hands!
Here is an interesting lot. This is an undoubtedly real Neil Armstrong Autograph. Somehow, this flew below the radar and the winner, a friend of mine, picked it up for a bargain price of $90. This item could easily get around $1,500 if it was properly promoted. My buddy was excited and posted the story of his bargain in a few public message boards. Now, the story takes a bad turn.
Shortly thereafter, the seller informed my friend that the photo was accidentally torn and no longer available. Not too likely. What really happened was that someone contacted the seller and offered him more money for the photo. Unfortunately, there is nothing that anyone can do to "prove" this and force the sale to the rightful winner.
We can learn a lesson from this story... There are a lot of underhanded sleazeballs out there, and never brag about a great bargain until it's in your hands!
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Watch Out For Shill Bidding
While many people have been buying on eBay for some time, a lot of people still don't know about Shill Bidding. It's a problem that affects all areas of eBay, but you do see it often when there is a high priced collectible that may not be going as high as the seller wishes.
Shill bidding is when the seller under a different name (or someone working with the seller), pushes the bid up to get more money for an auction. Shill bidders can also raise the price high enough so the seller is satisfied, or shill bidders can "win" the auction so the seller doesn't have to let the item go to someone for a bargain price. In effect, shill bidding can create a hidden reserve. It's usually easy to see when this happens IF you know where to look.
When the auction is over, look at the bid history. A shill bidder usually places a number of small bids to push the price up. Remember, the shill bidder often doesn't want to win, so they usually won't place one or two competitive bids. Instead, you'll see something like five small bids all placed 2 minutes apart. If someone really wanted to win an auction, would they bid that way?
Also, shill bidders usually have zero or a few feedback points, because they never really win or sell anything. And yes, if you see a seller you suspect is using a shill bidder, check out their other auctions. Chances are you'll see 3 or 4 different zero feedback bidders that frequently bid on their items. These are all shill accounts.
This problem is epidemic. Go to eBay and check out the bid history on 15 - 20 completed auctions... I'll bet there are a few that fit this shill biding pattern.
I always check the bid history when I win an item, and if I think there was shill bidding I refuse the buy the item. If the seller was shill bidding, they won't have the nerve to report you for not paying.
Nothing in the history of man has brought out con-men, cheats and crooks like eBay. If there is a way to rip someone off, you can bet someone on eBay is trying it. It's much easier to rip people off when you don't have to look them in the eye and you can change identities with a few mouse clicks.
Shill bidding is when the seller under a different name (or someone working with the seller), pushes the bid up to get more money for an auction. Shill bidders can also raise the price high enough so the seller is satisfied, or shill bidders can "win" the auction so the seller doesn't have to let the item go to someone for a bargain price. In effect, shill bidding can create a hidden reserve. It's usually easy to see when this happens IF you know where to look.
When the auction is over, look at the bid history. A shill bidder usually places a number of small bids to push the price up. Remember, the shill bidder often doesn't want to win, so they usually won't place one or two competitive bids. Instead, you'll see something like five small bids all placed 2 minutes apart. If someone really wanted to win an auction, would they bid that way?
Also, shill bidders usually have zero or a few feedback points, because they never really win or sell anything. And yes, if you see a seller you suspect is using a shill bidder, check out their other auctions. Chances are you'll see 3 or 4 different zero feedback bidders that frequently bid on their items. These are all shill accounts.
This problem is epidemic. Go to eBay and check out the bid history on 15 - 20 completed auctions... I'll bet there are a few that fit this shill biding pattern.
I always check the bid history when I win an item, and if I think there was shill bidding I refuse the buy the item. If the seller was shill bidding, they won't have the nerve to report you for not paying.
Nothing in the history of man has brought out con-men, cheats and crooks like eBay. If there is a way to rip someone off, you can bet someone on eBay is trying it. It's much easier to rip people off when you don't have to look them in the eye and you can change identities with a few mouse clicks.
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