How can I get an autograph appraised?
Autograph Appraisals are a specialty that not everyone can do to the satisfaction of insurance companies, banks or court rooms.
Appraisers have been well credentialed in both their knowledge of autographs and abide by a number of standards required in the reports they write. They also need a firm grasp of the market and what the true value of these collectibles is under certain conditions. These conditions are dependent on customer needs and vary. A good appraiser is one who will state up front that he or she will have no interest purchasing the items they appraise for it is a very obvious conflict of interest.
What are the differant kinds of appraisals?
- Insurance Replacement Value: This appraisal provides a value equal to what it would cost to replace an existing item in your collection or inventory. Retail Value.
- Fair Market Value: This appraisal provides a value as to what the specific item or items would sell for at a well publicized auction.
- Liquidation Value: This appraisal usually used in Barkrupsy action is the price the item would bring at a quick sale.
What is the cost of doing an Autograph Appraisal?
Cost is dependant on the time it takes to examine the items as well as travel expenses and such. Most appraisers will send you a contract of services which will cover everything they will do and their rates.
Is an appraisal the same as authentication?
No. One is assessing a value of an item and the other is rendering an opinion as to the item's genuineness. These are two completely different services.
APPRAISERS & AUTHENTICATORSWith the increase of Autograph Authentication by third parties on the rise the UACC's Board of Directors has issued the following policy:
"The UACC does not recognize third party authentication certificates not done to professional standards approved by the courts".
Court approved standard is that which uses chain of evidence. This eliminates so-called quick authentications done without proper research and the supporting data.
Our criteria for accepting autograph authenticators is:
- Proven experience and knowledge of autographs.
- The ability to articulate this knowledge in to a report accepted by the court approved chain of evidence format.
- Be approved as an expert witness by a judge or other recognized authority.
- Show a desire and proof of ongoing education in this field or publication of a scholarly work or works.
UACC APPROVED APPRAISERS AND AUTHENTICATORS
AL WITTNEBERT, has been a member of the UACC for over 40 years, as well as a former member of the prestigious International Society of Appraisers and the Manuscript Society. Mr. Wittnebert has a huge reference library of over 200 books on autographs as well as a large personal file of exemplars. He has written over 20 signature studies and over 100 articles on autographs. Several judges have approved Mr. Wittnebert as an expert in the autograph field. And a number of insurance companies and institutions have used Mr. Witnebert as an appraiser.Currently working for The Department of Homeland Security for collectible acquistions. He is a UACC approved Authenticator and Appraiser in Popular Cultural figures of the 20th century. Contact him at his website at www.awautographs.com or Phone: 352.383.1958 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 352.383.1958 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
ROBERT P. PALAZZO, has been a member of the UACC and Manuscript Society for over 20 years, as well as a member of the State of California Bar. Mr. Palazzo has a reference library of over a 5,000 books. He is the author of several books dealing with the American West. Several judges have already approved Mr. Palazzo as an expert in autograph authenticity. He is a UACC approved authenticator in the area of Western Americana.
Phone: 805.777.7223 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 805.777.7223 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
JOHN REZNIKOFF, has been a member of the UACC and Manuscript Society for over 15 years. He is also a member of the N.E.S.A. Mr. Reznikoff has a reference library of over 10,000 books and catalogs on autograph collecting. He has written several studies on autographs. Several judges have already approved Mr. Reznikoff as an expert in autograph authencity. Insurance companies and institution have use Mr. Reznikoff to appraise autographs. He is a UACC approved authenticator and appraiser in the area of Famous Figures (excluding sports and entertainment).
Phone: 203.454.0111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 203.454.0111 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
KEVIN M KEATING, has been a member of the UACC and Manuscript Society for 15 years.Mr. Keating has a reference library of over a 1,000 books and files on autograph examples. He is the author of" The Negro Leagues Autograph Guide". He has provided authentication and appraising services for many government institutions. He is a UACC approved authenticator and appraiser in American Sports.
Phone: 800.241.4809 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.241.4809 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
PAUL K CARR, has been a member of the UACC for over 30 years. Mr. Carr has a reference library of over 100 reference works. He is the author of "The Eisenhower File" and contributed over a dozen articles of modern President Signatures. He has provided hundreds of people with help in Presidential autographs. He is a UACC approved authenticator in American Presidents.
Phone: 302.954.8205 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 302.954.8205 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
J.D. BARDWELL, has been a member of the UACC member for 20 years. Mr. Bardwell has a reference library of over 30 books on autograph collecting, as well as a personal facsimile library of over 50,000 signatures, and records of over 300,000 sells. He is the author of JD Bardwell's In Person Facsimile Guide. He has been authenticator for E-bay. Mr. Bardwell is UACC Registered Dealer #RD001, founder of the Registered Dealer program and owner of AutographWorld.com. He is a UACC approved authenticator and appraiser in the field of contemporary autographs.
Phone: 603.749.9461 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 603.749.9461 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
BOB JONES, has been a member of the UACC for 20 years. He has a reference library of over 30 books. He is the co-author of JD Bardwell's Facsimile Guide. In addition to these books he has 50,000 signatures and records of over 300,000 sells. Mr. Jones is UACC Registered Dealer #RD002 and owner of AutographWorld.com. He is a UACC approved authenticator and appraiser in the field of contemporary autographs.
Phone: 603.749.9461 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 603.749.9461 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
SKIP HENSEL (Harold W.), has been a collector for over 50 years. A member of the UACC for over 25 years. He is also a member of the Manuscript Society for over 15 years. He has over 50 reference works on autograph collecting and is the author of almost dozen articles on autograph collecting. He authenticated for the Louisiana State Museum and the New Orleans Museum. He is a UACC approved authenticator in the field of American Presidents.
JACK BACON, has been a member of the UACC for over 10 years, a member of the Manuscript Society for over 30 years and a member Roxburghe Club. He was mentored in autograph by the great Doris Harris. In addition, he is a candidate for International Society of Appraisers (ISA). Mr. Bacon has a reference library of over 500 books. He has written on collecting Women Autographs. Mr. Bacon has appraiser estates for City of Reno, Nevada Historical Society and private individuals. He was a consultant for Pacific Book Auctions for over 10 years, and is now a director. He is a UACC approved appraiser in Presidential and American Historical Autographs.
Phone: 775.322.1901 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 775.322.1901 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
STUART K LUTZ, has been involved in autographs of historic America for over 25 years. His research and published articles have brought insite to a great many aspects of the autograph field. He is a UACC member and Registered Dealer.
BRIAN KATHENES ISA, CAA A Specialist Certified Appraiser of Autographs, Manuscripts and Historical Documents. Mr. Kathenes is the Managing Partner of National Appraisal Consultants, a firm specializing in personal property appraisal consulting, appraisal theory, and litigation support. He is also the host of Value This! with Brian and Leon, a weekly Public Radio call-in collectibles talk show. And the co-author of: Betcha Didn't Know That! -- 101 Antique and Collectible Trivia Tips That Could Make You Rich, Famous and the Hit of The Party. Available at: www.BetchaBook.com Mr. Kathenes has also served as an expert witness and consultant in many appraisal-related court cases including: Richard Nixon versus the United States of America -- The Watergate Presidential Papers Trial. He is the past Chairman of the International Society of Appraisers Ethics Committee, and the UACC's First Director of Education and a Life member.
800.323.5996 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.323.5996 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
LES WOLFF SPORTS is a name that's been synonymous with autographs and sports memorabilia for more than three decades. More than a business, it's been a labor of love for us going back to the days when sports memorabilia was just a conversation piece. Now that the hobby as morphed into something much more, we are pleased to be a steady, reliable source for authentic autographs and quality items you'll be glad to add to your collection. Les Wolff is a trusted name in the hobby, having established relationships with many of greatest names in sports over the years like Mickey Mantle and Muhammad Ali. A hobby pioneer, Les was the first to conduct a sports auction via the phone and fax (before the internet became widely available). That was in the late 1980s and unlike many other dealers who've come and gone since, he's still around, providing exceptional service. Every autograph Les sells is guaranteed for life. In 2005, Les traveled the country as the lead appraiser and authenticator for ESPN/Cox Communications' "Memorabilia Road Tour", examining thousands of items brought to him. He's a regular on the circuit of major shows and is almost always set up at the National Sports Collectors Convention. His weekly ads in Sports Collectors Digest are full of more of the same items you'll see here and he's a customer service award winner. Whether you're looking to buy that special piece or have something to sell, we look forward to hearing from you. Sports memorabilia is our full-time job. And we love it as much now as we did way back when. Enjoy the site and please contact us if you have any questions. Member of ISA since 1992 .
800.323.5996 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.323.5996 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
James J. Spence, Jr. - Lead Authenticator / Managing Member
James Spence has the universal respect and approval of auctioneers, dealers, and collectors worldwide with his accurate authentication expertise. A third generation autograph collector , his knowledge and exposure has its roots in over thirty years of hobby experience. Spence is a 1982 graduate from Iona College of New York with a double major in International Business and French. A New Jersey native, he has opined for virtually every major auction house in the country. World renown auction houses including Sotheby's , eBay , Mastro Auctions , Grey Flannel Auctions , Robert Edward Auctions , Hunt Auctions , Heritage , Upper Deck , Sotheby's - SCP , Huggins & Scott Auctions and many others employ the services of James Spence to insure the legitimacy and affirm the value of their autographed offerings. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of the Treasury (IRS) have depended on Spence as their sports authentication adviser and asked for his as
sistanc
e during past investigations. Law enforcement and insurance carriers have placed their trust in Spence to assist in their analysis. Mr. Spence has successfully completed certification in Forensic Document Examination. Dealers have also relied on his knowledge, experience and integrity for some of the highest valued, historically significant and rarest signed artifacts in existence. Countless collectors have sought the reassurance that their investments will retain marketability when the time is right to divest of their holdings. It has long been the industry's choice to secure a James Spence Authentication Letter of Authenticity.
Roger EppersonOne of the world’s only autograph dealers that only deals in music autographs. Signed Sealed Delivered has been in business for over 20 years. The company started out as a mail order business by printing and mailing a quarterly catalog. It has now changed to a 24/7 online store.
Owner and authenticator for REAL Roger Epperson Authentication Limited This company started four years ago to help individuals and businesses that the autographs they own or are selling are in fact authentic. Once inspected, either a letter of authenticity or a letter of rejection is issued. I also have a “quick opinion” service in order to help those who are buying autographs from an on line auction to confirm quickly if the autograph is likely authentic or not.
REAL - Roger Epperson Authentication Ltd. 6025-B Edgemoor, Houston, TX 77081 Tel: 713-664-7498 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 713-664-7498 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: 713-664-7594 roger@rogerepperson.com