WARNING - fake Michael Jackson autographs.

MICHAEL JACKSON AUTOGRAPHED MICROPHONE

MICHAEL JACKSON AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO IN RED JACKET

The 'Beat it' era photo with Michael's autograph at right is real. It is can be authenticated and bought here.
It is another classic example of a reputable store selling a Michael Jackson autograph with a very high quality 'certificate of authentication'.

If you want a Michael Jackson autograph, there seems to be no end to the amount out there being offered. Some are being offered online for exhorbitant prices and ebay seems to be doing a roaring trade. One recently went for $2,500.

If you are a fan of the King of Pop and are keen to lay out big money to remember him, please be extra careful. One of the big Hollywoodesque auction houses made in the days after his death roughly $200,000 on just 21 pieces purportedly once owned by MJ.

More and more is hitting the market by the hour. Some is real, some will be real but unauthenticated. This is tantamount to a fake in the world of memorabilia.

Online buyers must be incredibly vigilant and demand nothing short of the highest quality authentication. It is certainly not worth risking your hard earned dollar over what could very well be shallow marketing claims.

Randy Hutchinson of the Better Business Bureau reminds us to "Watch out for terms like "limited edition." Limited edition could still mean millions of them are produced," said Hutchinson.

Always check out the seller at the Better Business Bureau, Department of Fair Trading or generally get a feel for their integrity via EBay buyer reviews.

Whatever you do my fellow fans - DO NOT let the tide of emotions surrounding the King of Pops untimely death fool you into thinking you are making a smart investment, when it could very well be a fraud designed to take advantage of these sad times.

Only buy from established merchants and sell to reputable buyers. Not to or from fly by night eBayers or pretty yet dodgy new websites. Here is an example of an established business that offers top notch authentication on its goods.

Michael Jackson Autograph Fireworks photo

Firstly, when acquiring any autograph or autographed item purporting to have originated from a superstar, the item should be attached with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA). But not all COA's are weighted the same because just about anybody can create one. It will not necessarily follow that an object appended with a COA makes it unquestionably authentic. The dealer's reputation that consigns the COA is probably the single most axiomatic element in substantiating veracity. We should be real though, even Sotheby's and Christies has traded unauthentic pieces in the past. Nevertheless, the vendor standing behind a trade is often the best testament a buyer has today, however incidental. But one must always do their own research and ask a fair share of questions.

The most credible collector co-ops and shops for memorabilia offer 100% perpetual guarantees. Invoices should clearly state their trading names, business numbers (if applicable in your jurisdiction) contact numbers, physical and web addreses, emails etc. These contact details must be accessible.

If you are unsure of a retailer, look for an industry certified autograph dealer such as those associated with organizations as the International Autograph Collectors Club & Dealers Alliance (IADA-CC) or the Universal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC). There are also plenty of highly regarded authentication services available if you are contemplating conducting business on a commercial scale.

Secondly, one must consider the mechanics of authentication. It should be one that is accepted as standard in the profession and proven to have withstood the test of time.
But how is this accomplished? What is thought to be infallible authentication of memorabilia and more specifically in the case of Michael Jackson autographed memorabilia, what is accepted as an appropriate level of authentication to allow a purchased item to maintain or indeed appreciate it's dollar value.

Many die hard followers of Michael Jackson will own for the sake of possessing an item once touched by Michael alone. Others, wish to make a quick profit alone. However, everybody who acquires any memorablia of celebrities are truly obliged to cast their mind to the possibility of it also morphing into a quality investment at some point prospectively.

The most bona fide trading houses for memorabilia will regularly chaperone stars at paid exclusive signing events. These exclusive autographing sessions are usually witnessed by a representative of the credible trading company or independent witnesses. The trading house may chronologically imprint a tamper-proof hologram, which is then attached to all certificates of authenticity. A concurrent tamper proof numbered hologram is then attached to the autographed item. This has the affect of creating a verifiable and highly accurate match. In addition numerous dealing houses will also provide a picture of the star in question at the signing, which goes with the item. The holograms numbering is then meticulously catalogued and kept under lock and key at the trading businesses secured location/s.

A collectibles history, often referred to as provenance, is ones ability to properly and legitimately track the object via who may have owned it and where, when or how it may have been stored, kept or passed.

The provenance to a collectible or piece of autographed memorabilia is the extra icing on the cake when proving it's true value and authenticity. It is what a proveable bloodline is to the sale of a champion thoroughbread. It therefore carries great importance.

Evidentiary proof by way of a document pertaining to an autographs provenance is a huge stepping stone toward determining whether there has been any illegitimate amendment/alteration or whether in fact the item is a forgery or unauthorized reproduction. While a certificate of authenticity on its own can allay fears to an extent in most buyers, a quality document of provenance complimenting a COA will nearly always calm all parties in a memorabilia deal, as well as assuring the true value potential. A high measure of confidence will nearly always be the desired positive affect with it.

Knowing that a respected collector or a star themselves has once owned an autographed item or some other piece of memorabilia can act as a great taste tempter for a prospective buyer. Many will place greater value on the item for it has been viewed by the rich and/or famous as valuable and others will believe that merely by passing through the hands of notable people alone will somehow portend some sort of greatness on themselves. Having a connection to greatness via the original piece of memorabilia is meaningful, and having complementary and extra greatness will multiply the worth of an item so much more. A highly appreciated attribute by most collectors.