Certificate of Authenticity

[lorraine1980]

Hi Everyone,

I live in the UK, I've been collecting autographs for around 4 years now and I'm giving it up

Before I sell my collection I'd like to get some sort of certificate to say that they are authentic but I'm unsure of what to do. Does anyone know anywhere in the UK that will certify things like this?

Thanks in advance

[the_uk_collector05]

Not unless you want to spend a fortune, which in my opinion is worthless, as certificates are useless....did you obtain them in person?

[the_uk_collector05]

Just curious....why are you giving up this great hobby??

[legendwithoutaname]

There are many sites you can visit to "make" COA's and this is why they are not worth the paper they are printed on

[lorraine1980]

Not unless you want to spend a fortune, which in my opinion is worthless, as certificates are useless....did you obtain them in person?

Unfortunately not in person, I got the majority TTM, I have a few IP but not from major celebrities

[lorraine1980]

Just curious....why are you giving up this great hobby??

Well, although it's a really great hobby, it's very time consuming, I always put a lot of effort into my letters and another hobby of mine is penpalling, so I spend so much time writing, and I really can't give up my penpals ;)

I'm keeping the autographs that mean the most to me, but I think in all fairness since I'm ending this hobby there will be people out there now that can appreciate my obtained autographs more than I can.

I am sad to be giving it up though, had a lot of fun doing it

[lorraine1980]

There are many sites you can visit to "make" COA's and this is why they are not worth the paper they are printed on

Wow, I didn't realise that! I guess it's not really worth it then, why pay for something that someone can just 'make' that's pretty sad.

[khackdrums]

Some people won't buy autographs without COA's. I say go ahead and make them!

Khackdrums

[packrat]

I would say it would be wrong to produce a self-made COA for someone you got through the mail. Unless you actually saw them sign the photo you can't say 100% that it is an authentic autograph. You would simply have to admit in your listing that you got the autograph TTM.

Now as for an autograph you got in person, I can see making your own COA. At least you saw the person sign and can be sure it was signed by them.

However, I almost always disregard COAs. Like someone already posted (and took the words out of my mouth), they are just plain worthless the majority of the time. About the only time I will take the COA into consideration is if someone attended a paid signing, or if the COA is issued by the celebrity. Even then I won't put my full faith into it, but it does help.

[lorraine1980]

It's crazy if they are worthless, I've seen people on Ebay posting for the likes of Avril Lavigne and they charge AT LEAST £50 for a signed photo with a COA, that's the equivalent of roughly $80.