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Mike Quinn at Southcoast Toy and Comic Show, Fairhaven, Ma 2013
As you might imagine, I receive daily messages from friends and collectors around the world asking that one question that haunts all autograph seekers at one time or another. "Is this real?"
Often these questions are sent by way of private message or email, but sometimes they are posted directly to either my personal Facebook page or my Star Wars Autograph News Facebook page. It's the former which garnered the attention of many high profile collectors and puppeteer Mike Quinn, who recently helped bring Nien Nunb back to the big screen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
I am going to leave the specifics behind the piece confidential, as it did not belong to the person who posted it to my wall, but it was a multi-signed TFA poster with over 20 signatures. It was obvious to me and many long time collectors that the autographs were not authentic, as well as Quinn, who spoke out about the apparent forgeries. "There's so much about my signature that is so way off base! Besides, I've not signed a single TFA poster yet! We need to expose these thieves!"
And expose them he would.
Quinn joined the growing number of Star Wars luminaries fighting the overwhelming battle against autograph forgeries. Anthony Daniels, Jeremy Bulloch, The Dave Prowse Facebook Page and, most recently, Mark Hamill have spoken out against forgers and taken steps to educate would be autograph buyers on their authentic signature. Hamill's efforts have recently made headlines for inspiring a California lawmaker to ammend existing laws to protect all autograph collectors from fraud (read more on that HERE.)
Just over a week after seeing the fraudulent poster on my wall, Quinn shared a card allegedly signed by him on eBay.
"Here's another fake autograph for sale on EBAY!" Quinn posted. "This is not my signature." Quinn reported contacting eBay on January 19th, but at the time of this writing the sale is still live.
The "Autographed items, Certificates of Authenticity (COAs), and trading cards policy" explains the process for reporting fraudulent autographs and the steps eBay follows when recieiving such reports.
"Since autographed items and trading cards are unique, they can be very valuable, but are also easy to forge or reproduce. Autographs are commonly sold with certificates of authenticity (COAs) and letters of authenticity (LOAs), while trading cards use a grading system. COAs, LOAs, and grades are meant to assure the buyer that the signature or item is genuine. However, COAs, LOAs, and grades are only as valuable as the reputation of the issuing party, so it's important to know the reputation of each authenticator or grader.
We investigate concerns from our members in regard to autographs, COAs, LOAs, and trading cards. As part of this policy, we work with several reputable third parties. These third parties may use known authentic autograph examples to determine if these items are genuine or "likely not genuine." If they have concerns about an item’s authenticity, eBay may remove the listing from the site.
Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including limits of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.
You can contact Customer Service to report a listing you think violates this policy. Go to that listing, and then click the Report item link on the right side of the page. We'll review your report and take appropriate action."
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After reporting the seller (signedbballcardking) to eBay, Quinn reportedly contacted them directly, inquiring how he obtained the signed card and posted a transcript of the conversation on his Facebook page. The seller claimed to have obtained the autograph in person at a show in Cherry Hill, NJ in 2014. Quinn cites a problem with that claim. "I've never been to Cherry Hill…"
Those who follow the convention circuit as it pertains to Star Wars guests know, that although Quinn does make appearances at conventions, it's typically less than five per year and in most cases less than three. Although I am confident he can recall his convention appearances I confirmed with the Galcatic Productions website (who represents Quinn for his convention appearences) to see who they sent to Monster-Mania in 2014. Monster-Mania is the only show I know of in Cherry Hill, New Jersey which would have Star Wars guests. I am quite familiar with Monster-Mania, as they historically have booked many Star Wars guests over the years, like Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams and Peter Mayhew, and I have attended the show twice. Monster-Mania happens twice each year and Quinn did not attend either show in 2014 (Galactic Productions sent Roger Jackson and Peter Mayhew to their March and August shows that year, respectively.)
Celebrities helping us identify their authentic signatures is a tremendous assistance in avoiding the horrrors of buying a forgery, but the onus ultimately lies on the consumer. Caveat Emptor, or "Let the buyer beware" should be the mantra of all autograph collectors, especially those who collect via eBay. Use the resources available to you prior to making any purchases or bidding. Compare to known authentic signatures. Ask questions of the people who know. You'll find there are may seasoned collectors willing to help you avoid parting with your money on a lie.
