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Author
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Topic: New collector needs advice on authentication
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kellywarren
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 01-05-2010 11:07 AM
   
My son and I recently started collecting astronaut signatures. Recently we have come across some items that we would like to purchase on the condition that they are authenticated. In an attempt to locate contact information (phone number) for Scott Cornish I did an internet search and found a lot of stuff that troubled me about RR Auction. Specifically, there is some stuff posted on the internet concerning RR Auction being sued for selling fake autographs (but not space-related stuff) and about the validity of their COAs being questioned (but not COAs for space-related stuff). Also, there is a lot of stuff out there that is highly critical of Roger Epperson who is one of their highly touted experts that they advertise alongside Cornish. The stuff critical of Epperson looks thought out and credible to me. I want to point out that I found nothing critical of Cornish and in fact a lot of people have good things to say about the man.However, in spite of my previously good impression of the company, I must say that I now have concerns about RR Auction as well as some apprehension about dealing with those that are associated with them. I have probably spent 20-25k over the past 18 months with that auction house. Does the group believe that my concerns in general are well founded? Any thoughts on RR Auction? Who would the group recommend that I go to for authentication services? What is the consensus among those who should know and have done this for a long time? Thank you for your advice, Kelly Warren
drwarren@drkellywarren.com |
GerryM
Member Posts: 244
From: Glenside PA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-05-2010 11:54 AM
Kelly, I cannot speak with regard to R&R's non-space items as I do not deal with that area, but you will absolutely not go wrong with Scott Cornish. He is absolutely the top of this field. I do not give ringing endorsements out lightly as it takes a lot to impress this collector/dealer who has been in the space autograph field a long. long time. So rest assured, if your purchases came with a Cornish COA you're sitting pretty. If they are not, they you should have them looked at.Gerry Montague
Astronaut Archives |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 01-05-2010 12:05 PM
Thanks so much Gerry. That means a lot to me - I appreciate it. By the way, the feeling is mutual.Dr. Warren - I'm grateful people said good things about me (whew... lol). I am not familiar with the other things you mention but if you contact R&R I'm sure they would address your concerns. If you need contact info for them feel free to email me using the email link above. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-05-2010 01:48 PM
I will second the recommendation on Scott's authentication. You cannot find anyone better who is currently employed as an authenticator of space autographs. He is one of the few authenticators you can rest assured is up to the task. And since he specializes only in space autographs (and isn't a generalist authenticator), he knows this one specific area extremely well.Regarding the criticisms aimed at R&R, there are websites out there (one in particular) that appear to have a personal vendetta and seem willing to say anything they can to damage the reputations of select auction houses like R&R (and the authenticators who work for them). I recommend that you take what they say with a grain of salt. They claim to be giving their readers "news," but it appears to be one-sided opinions and attacks (with very little objective analysis) that are very selective with their "facts." (FYI, Roger Epperson finally got fed up with one site and launched a counter site to tell his side of the story.) |
generallou
Member Posts: 114
From: T H, Indiana
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 01-05-2010 08:39 PM
I also would say Scott is the only one I would trust, he has come thru for me in the past. Sadly I used to buy only from UACC registered dealers but they have a problem policing their own so they are hit and miss I have had some things come back as not authentic, the only ones I really trust are RR Everything I have bought from them has been real I guess you get what you pay for, as a side note I hear the ASF Autograph club is returning so you may want to go that route to guarantee authenticity! |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 01-05-2010 09:12 PM
Thanks guys - I really appreciate it. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 01-06-2010 02:01 AM
I can only agree with the above, but also don't forget the opportunities to buy custom autographs direct from many of the early astronauts at some events, from their websites, and from organized signings via Novaspace, Farthest Reaches etc.Also, I have to say that with the budget you mention it might be worth considering if you'd be interested in buying some flown items from the space program rather than just signatures. For the price of an Armstrong signed uninscribed WSS litho you could probably buy a flag or other item that was actually carried to the moon on one of the Apollo missions. |
rchappel
Member Posts: 108
From: Texas
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 01-06-2010 10:42 AM
Kelly, I noticed you are in the Dallas area, which is where I am as well. You may have already done this, bit I highly recommend attending the next Heritage Galleries space auction in person if at all possible. They also put many of the items on display the day before at their building near downtown. Really great group and geographically convenient for you. And they have had the best offering of flown items of any auction house of late without question.Randy |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-06-2010 12:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by rchappel:
You may have already done this, bit I highly recommend attending the next Heritage Galleries space auction in person if at all possible.
I also highly recommend Heritage. They are top notch in every aspect and great to deal with. The only negative thing about Heritage is that they often sell items which are TOO nice (and therefore beyond my budget).  Additionally, the space autographs handled by Heritage also get reviewed by Scott Cornish (though it's not something they always advertise in their catalog). So you can apply all of the good things said about him in this discussion to the Heritage auctions as well. |
clifford
Member Posts: 233
From: Maplewood, nj, 07040
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 01-06-2010 06:52 PM
There are a number of "safe" places to buy from. Certainly I would add my voice to endorsing Scott. Additionally there is Kim at Novaspace, Farthestreaches.com, and some of the astronauts have websites of their own, try dickgordon.com and waltercunningham.com. Finally there is some nice stuff at the astronautstore.com, which is run by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.As for auctions I would trust Heritage, and Swann, and Lunar Legecies. |
Mark Zimmer
Member Posts: 289
From:
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 01-21-2010 05:55 PM
Scott's at the top, especially for Armstrong items. And obviously, stuff from Kim Poor's in-person signings is good as gold.Others that I've found trustworthy are Gerry and farthestreaches.
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