updated: May 17, 2010
STOP THE FAKE AUTOGRAPHS - an editorial with ideas
It is hard to find any fan that enjoys music, who has not walked through or dined at least at one of the many world wide Hard Rock Cafe restaurants. Thanks to this empire chain, much of rocks memorabilia is proudly displayed for all to enjoy and see. Equally, if not even on a much higher preservation, is the breath taking and jaw dropping collection and interaction of just about everything regarding the roots of Rock and Roll and it's birth, on through the 1960's and 1970's and up to today, found at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in Cleveland, Ohio.
THERES A DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN:
Continually discovering and further collecting Rock and Roll memorabilia, must always and importantly continue to grow. As musical artists progress in age and sadly, as so many have and will pass on by death, the ability to sustain and look back at rocks original generation and its current royalty, with the ability to collect autographed memorabilia gets tougher and tougher to obtain. It is so important to remember that it's this preservation of rock's memorabilia and autographed items from all these musical celebrities, be now saved for future generations to be able to enjoy. We are the generation today, the must do everything possible to preserve and safe guard, celebrity autographed memorabilia. That is why STOPPING the current cancer of the thousands of fake and fraudulent autographs that are currently for sale everywhere, must be viewed as a very seriously threat on the integrity of Rock and Roll collecability.
As you are reading this today, many in the autograph collecting community will tell you there are more fake signatures currently in circulation for sale than real ones. Sadly, many of these fake signatures have sneaked their way by error or clever ignorance into the collections of respectable and honest fans. This amounts to nothing more than theft and fraud and is an out right crime in our industry. Obtaining celebrity autographs is big time fun, and as well, big time business. Because of such fun and business all but walk hand in hand, theft and fraud, are the evil twins presently of the collecting industry and are never far behind.
Fans and celebrities must begin to work more closely together in order to stop this epidemic and madness of forging an artists signature and the stealing and ripping off of fans by dealers who are selling bogus autographs. If we ignore this problem, besides the fact that it wont go away, our children will be viewing preserved signatures by artists that are actually fake. Imagine these memorabilia museums or restaurants displaying nothing less than forged items of memorabilia, mistakingly due to the fact forgeries are all that is eventually left.
IMAGINE THERES NO HEAVEN:
It must be clearly understood at all times that no celebrity is under any obligation whatsoever, to sign any thing, for any requesting person, at any time. They are under no obligation to ever answer fan mail, donate to the Hard Rock Cafe or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or any other style museum, write a book, or interact in any way with their fans, if that is their choice. Each and every musical artist has that right.
When a celebrity chooses to sign their autograph, they are doing so out of appreciation and generosity for the requester. When a celebrity chooses to sell pre signed items through their website, they are insuring that a REAL signature can now directly be in the hands of a true fan and/or collector. When a celebrity chooses to sign a REAL autograph for a requesting fan via the mail, that celebrity is indeed, part of the solution to the autograph cancer. Increasingly, more and more celebrities are appearing at the dozens of autograph style conventions held world wide each year. All of such systems can directly and personally place real autographs in the hands of the buying public collecting fans. Real fans tend to hold on to that autograph in their personal collection in the years to come, thus preserving a very small but most important piece of collectible celebrity history. It may sound silly, but for every real signature that a celebrity signs, it continues to grow and complete a very large puzzle that each collecting fan now holds a piece of.
At the very least, fans who can obtain real signatures take from the black market of those who purposely fraud collectors and fans who otherwise may end up purchasing that fake autograph off Ebay or a fraudulent vendor. The cure for this cancer starts equally at the top (the celebrity), but can be and must be controlled and maintained with common sense, smart judgment and patience at the bottom (the collector and fan).
WE DON'T NEED NO EDUCATION:
For those celeb's that choose not to sign any autographs in any type of means of any kind, and basically have a policy of not signing for fans, are actually contributing to the very same autograph chasers who they despise the tactics in which these none fans use to bother them and intimidate them on the streets. In other words, it is these celebrities that are part of the reason for the contributing cancer of fake and fraudulent autographs. These autograph chasers usually resort to any means needed in their quest to obtain a signed piece of memorabilia, in order to fill the need of the distributor (autograph dealer) that has contracted them, including many who sign forged signatures. It is absolutely happening as you are reading this. This is not a bash on those celeb's that do not sign on the streets, but an eye opener indeed for those celebrities who year after year sign nothing at all.
It is when a celebrity does not sign offer any type of reasonable means to the average collecting fan to obtain a real signature, that therein lies the self created problem.
The system is very simple to understand. The collecting fan wants an autograph to add to their collection, but the celebrity they need offers no means whatsoever year after year after year, to obtain their signature. The fans check the celebrities website to see if they might be selling autographs, and/or appearing at any public signings, but continually has no luck as the artist basically has a no signing policy currently being offered. There is no info provided where the fan can obtain a real autograph, by any direct celebrity website or in person, means.Therefore, the fan has a choice to make. Live without that artists signature, or contact an autograph dealer who employs autograph chasers who either commissions an autograph style chaser, or chooses to sell bogus autographs. Though the fan gets a "letter of authenticity", the fan still will never fully know for sure if that signature is real. You can bet if the signature is a fake, that letter of authenticity is basically worthless as the burden of proof is always on the consumer (the purchaser). This cycle continues until the celebrity decides there is a better way to satisfy this demand or the fan just gives up.
Currently, I have two 1990 Fleetwood Mac tour books that I have been waiting over 15 years to obtain Christine McVie's signature on, thus completing that years touring band. I hope to one day complete these, but if I don't, oh well, that is the brakes and I as a collector fully accept and understand that fact. If I was a dealer, and knowing the difference in value between selling that tour book without her signature, or "complete" with her forged signature, you can see why the temptation and reality both coexist. Forgeries are happening, and happening at numbers that are just not acceptable.
It is these reasons, that FANS and ARTISTS need to work together and understand that rock memorabilia history is currently being polluted and slowly destroyed by those that are cashing in on selling fake and fraudulent autographs to fans, who are spending their hard earned money all in the belief that they are purchasing something real. If we as celebrity rock and roll fans who choose to collect signed items of musical history memorabilia for ownership, need to accept the fact that we must attempt every possible means to collect and purchase only 100% real signatures for the celebrities we admire. Anything less and any compromise, continues to add fuel and floods this market with fake and bogus signatures from dealers looking to rip you off.
Jim Morrison died almost 40 years ago. However if you saw the amount of Jim Morrison signatures currently for sale on the Internet, you would swear he is alive and well and very much still signing autographs. These bogus autographs are thriving equally strong, even with celebrities that are very much alive and performing. The rock band Eagles, one of rocks most successful groups ever, is also considered one of Rock and Roll's greatest forged autographed bands due to the fact that all in all, the band has what amounts to an almost no signing policy, especially as a group. Complete and real signed items by that band, especially by all 7 members on any one item, are said to be less than several dozen, if that, in circulation. Therefore, extreme caution needs to be priority one, when looking to purchase anything signed by the rock band Eagles. The Beatles, and so many other bands of rocks elite, fall under the same red flag.
Thankfully, more and more celebrities are embracing the fact that fans wanting and collecting autographs is here to stay. These same celebrities understand that making themselves available to sign at pre-arranged autograph conventions and in store book and record store signings are a financial gain for the artist all the while providing a safe and controlled environment for both themselves and the requesting fans. By attending any of these in person style signings, real fans can obtain real signatures, first hand, in a win/win style environment that puts cash in the artists hand (after all, it is their music and their hard work), while at the same time decreasing the demand for autograph style chasers that stalk and pop out of bushes flagging down celebrities by all kinds of law breaking and non common courtesy means. In other words, these celebrities who sign autographs in any manner they choose, are indeed part of the solution.
We have all seen these style of encounters where an autograph chaser, not a real fan, entice these celebrities into a verbal or physical style encounter, all the while video taping the incident as to post it on these tabloid style television shows. This dirty journalism has gotten completely out of hand, and should be considered an embarrassment to the true rock fan and collector. We also hear the stories and those that collect will tell you how autograph dealers hire basically the non respectful and unethical youth whose tactics include insults and extreme rudeness when a celebrity encounter does not fully go their way. This style of disrespect is repeated over and over and ruins the chances of adoring fans who are there, simply trying their best to obtain an autograph to build for their collection.
There is no place for this kind of conduct with respect to any one, but especially to a celebrity. Sadly enough, celebrities are already a very unfair target due to the fact the have a public name and a face that invites strangers and stalkers to know who they are. A celebrity MUST at all times be on their guard and in most cases probably have the security, that fame brings to them. By celebrities working with true fans, this market of stalking for autographs can be reduced greatly, and perhaps even over time be eliminated.
I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:
If a celebrity chooses to not sign on the streets, then simply please say so. Equally, if you as a celebrity do not personally respond to fan mail, then please simply say so. If you choose to sign but only inscribe the requesters name, then please say so. We live in the age of THE INTERNET. This website costs me less than $10.00 a month to maintain and provide you this information. A celebrity can simply do the same and set forth their ideas and policy (if you will), in regards to wanting or not wanting to sign autographs.
The more your fans understand the what, when, if, and how you might sign, along with what, if and when you don't sign, we can use that information to help us combat and detect what may very well be a forgery. It's the lack of information that puts your true collecting fans at such a financial disadvantage. True fans are not asking you to sign for everyone and adhere to every request. Understandably your very busy lives probably do not offer that kind of extra time. True fas do totally get it, when it comes to the extra busy lives you live. However, if being chased down the streets and stalked by autograph hounds, and knowing your fans are being ripped off and lied to by dealers that are forging your signatures concerns you, please, just please, stop and give some thought as to how you can do your part to even the odds.
Collecting autographs need not be an easy gifted hobby. If it was, everyone would be doing it and like any collection, there would be too much of a surplus, thus ruining the rarity of collectability. However, there must be a balance, otherwise fake autographs will over take real autographs thus forever ruining what future generations will be viewing and assuming are real signed items of memorabilia from artists that are deceased and can no longer sign. If we as collectors and celebrities do not work together, fans today who choose to collect are going to continue to get ripped off but I think even more importantly, it is just a generation away from this fake garbage having the very real chance of making it's way into museums and collections, all of which will not be worth the paper they are signed on.
I'M FIXING A HOLE WHERE THE RAIN GETS IN:
IF YOU ARE A COLLECTING FAN, I ask you to please support any celebrity who you desire that offers any kind of means for in person, in store signing, convention signings or web site signings and purchase your autographs from them directly. Make sure you thank them for offering the means and being part of the solution.
IF YOU ARE A COLLECTING FAN, and the celebrity who you wish to collect from offers no such means as described above, then can you write to them and simply ask why. Tell them you are a fan and are not willing to spend your hard earned money on what might be a fake and bogus autographs sold by vendors who are selling, "god only knows what", but you are willing to spend your money and support them, the celebrity, in purchasing real autographs.
IF YOU ARE A COLLECTING FAN, and you attend any kind of in person signing offered by a celebrity, be sure and thank them for being part of the "team" is flushing out fake autographs. Perhaps pre print some thank you cards and hand them out to the celebrity. These cards are both dirt cheap and can be printed anywhere and make a nice gesture of thanks. Above all, always let them know how much you appreciate that you were able to obtain a real autograph.
IF YOU ARE A COLLECTING FAN, and it upsets you (as it should) to see these TMZ style of autograph chasers obtain their autographs by what we see every day on these television news shows and you tube videos, then write to the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild and to the managing companies and publicists of these celebrities and indicate that the only way this can stop, is a meeting at the fence where supply and demand can walk somewhat hand in hand.
IF YOU ARE A COLLECTING FAN, and care about the authenticity of your collection and/or the preservation of rock and roll collectability for your kids to also enjoy, and their kids to learn what these rock giants signatures where like and hear stories of fan encounters passed down from generation to generation then be very careful and ask questions and don't be so fast to purchase autographs from any 3rd party vendor.
IF YOU ARE A COLLECTING FAN, and enjoy seeing the memorabilia that currently is on display at the Hard Rock Cafe and especially the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then write or email them and let them know what you have, and describe in detail how you obtained it. Perhaps your collectible is so rare and unique that the Hall of Fame might want to contact you to preserve it for other fans and collectors by adding it to their museum. It is okay to share your collection.
IF YOU ARE A COLLECTING FAN, above all be patient and reasonable. You will never have everything that is out there, and you will never have it all. However, be thankful for what you have and be patient for what you still may want. Be very respectful when you collect and appreciate each celebrity that takes the time to sign anything for you.
SURRENDER, SURRENDER, BUT DON'T GIVE YOURSELF AWAY:
IF YOU ARE A CELEBRITY, and you have anyone signing on your behalf (secretary, publicist, auto pen, etc...)
please stop. Though well intended I am sure, this is not the answer and only further contributes to fraudulent signatures.
IF YOU ARE A CELEBRITY, especially a rock and roller, please consider selling signed items, especially a program book, at your concerts while on tour.
IF YOU ARE A CELEBRITY, and are tired and fed up of TMZ style encounters or those waiving photos in packs that chase you down, then please post on your website that you are no longer signing ANYTHING on the streets, period. However, you then must make yourself available in some manner and quantity, to adhere to the requests of your fans, IF you want them to enjoy having a real autograph. It is hard to have it both ways.
IF YOU ARE A CELEBRITY, and care in the least that people are forging your names and fans are being ripped off and fooled by what they believe are authentic signatures, then do something about it.
IF YOU ARE A CELEBRITY, and care in the least that part of your legacy long after you are gone will be fans visiting your signed memorabilia in museums and in private collections or just those that admire your signature, may in fact be nothing less than bogus autographs, then do something about it now while you still can.
IF YOU ARE A CELEBRITY, and wish to enhance your income, then find out where and how to be part of the increasing amount of celebrities that attend autograph conventions or have presigned items on your website. This is fully a financial win for you simply by sitting at a table and signing autographs.
Note: Ask around the industry as there are many celebrities that walk away with thousands of dollars made in just a single day of signing autographs. It is a cash bonanza.
IF YOU ARE A CELEBRITY, please come out and let your fans know what your policy is with respect to autographs, whatever that may be. Fans knowing your policy, then helps us know the likelihood of fake autographs that you didn't sign from the real ones that you did.
I CAN'T GET NO (SATISFACTION):
I am happy to help any collector with any autograph question, verification and opinions, or in any way possible that furthers your collection and STOPS the cancer of fake and fraudulent autographs. Please feel free to email me and lets take autographs and collectability.
Cheers to the future and preservation of REAL and AUTHENTIC autograph collecting,
Stephen Duncan
Fan & Collector
