Boxing Autographs Forgery Alert

People are starting Sports Memorabilia sites everywhere and claim to have extensive knowledge about autographs, yet in many cases they are just looking for a quick profit. Look at what they are selling, do they have many rare and vintage items such as ourselves?

Protect yourselves & deal with only reputable dealers and pay special attention to auction sites. Some people are now even downloading photo's of a boxer signing from a reputable dealer & using it in their Certificate Of Authenticity!

Also be wary of claims such as UACC membership or 'We only buy from UACC dealers'....in our experience these people are often the worst offenders for selling fake autographs. UACC is exactly what it says...Universal Autograph Collectors Club...so If I join the UACC, as I know boxing autographs, does this suddenly make me an expert on Film autographs? No it does not! You could then buy a movie star signed autograph from ourselves yet you the buyer would more than likely have more knowledge as a fan about the autograph than ourselves! Be Wary!

The FBI Operation Bullpen a couple of years ago successfully convicted a few of the major forgers but it also awoke people to how widespread the fake market in Sports Memorabilia was. Also it is NOT an offence to sell fake items! It is only an offence to Knowingly sell them! Which makes prosecution difficult. It also makes a COA worthless as handwriting analysis is non conclusive. The analysis of an Autograph is merely an opinion. The FBI now has a warehouse full of millions of dollars worth of fake memorabilia. Expect more prosecutions soon.

If a dealer can't or won't share that with you in writing, the "trust me" of a "Certificate of Authentication" isn't, in my opinion, worth the paper it is written on. Dealers with integrity know that dates and times and places of signings can be checked out. Unscrupulous dealers know that, too. You should be thinking when you buy any piece of memorabilia about what folks will ask of you if and when you sell it. For Muhammad Ali autographs always look for Online Authentics authentication.

A note about certificates of authenticity: Certificates of authenticity ("COAs") can help establish the bona fides of a particular autograph, or can give a buyer certain rights if the item is later determined to be a forgery. Not all certificates provide meaningful protection, though. Carefully review the information in the certificates for at least the following information: Who issued the certificate? Does the certificate state that it was issued at the same time the item was signed? If so, how can you confirm that the information in the certificate is accurate, and that the certificate matches the item you're purchasing? If the certificate was issued after the item was signed, does the issuer of the certificate have any particular expertise that qualifies him/her to give an opinion about the autograph? Do the expert have scientific forensic training, or are they experienced in dealing with this particular celebrity or autograph? What is the relationship between the seller and the issuer of the certificate? Does the certificate give the buyer any rights? If a qualified expert later declares that he item is a forgery, can the buyer get a refund?
Is there any time limit?

USA Buyers are more educated so the fake items tend now to be sold in the UK and Australia, in large volume, where knowledge of Sports Memorabilia Fraud is less well known. The seller quotes that the items were obtained from a reputable USA Dealer! Well believe me there are only a handfull of these! They come with unconditional COA's which usually mean nothing.

If you want an independant opinion then Just ASK!
We DONT CHARGE but could save you £££'s...... A FAKE item is WORTHLESS!

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