yaggy
Oh Very Young
Posts: 5
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Post by yaggy on Nov 17, 2004 0:33:07 GMT -5
Hi guys.. just wanted your expert opinion.. I've been trying to find out if the album i want to purchase is cat steven's signature, or a rip off.. I need your expert help! here's a pic;  it comes with a certificate of authenticity, but how do they actually find out if it's HIS ACTUAL autograph? How can they be sure beyond doubt? Thank you for your expert opinions! Cheers, chris |
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yaggy
Oh Very Young
Posts: 5
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Post by yaggy on Nov 17, 2004 0:53:55 GMT -5
Heya Guys, i just found this on ebay... cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29873&item=3852376174&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVWit looks to be almost the EXACT same signature as on the one i want to buy, and this one is almost $700 american.. i know it's because it's framed, etc, but because the framed one on ebay looks alot like my copy, does that mean it's authentic? here's the pics from that ebay auction hosted on another server so people later down the track will know what it looks like..  |
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Post by Vivian on Nov 17, 2004 11:39:52 GMT -5
It looks very similar to the signature that I bought off E Bay, the one that Yusuf recognized when he signed it again, thirty years later, so, I would say that this one is real. Other signed LPS, I have my doubts about, because the signature looks totally different. I think you are safe with this one. But, no, I can't guarantee it.
Peace,Vivian
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Post by Daddy-o on Nov 17, 2004 12:16:05 GMT -5
For this sort of money I'd be very cautious. There are lots of variations of Cat's "signatures". COA's are not worth the paper they are printed on. It's presented very nicely in the frame but I'd personally want to be totally sure on the history of the item. I've slipped up a couple of times!
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yaggy
Oh Very Young
Posts: 5
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Post by yaggy on Nov 17, 2004 13:34:46 GMT -5
Thanks for your replies guys.. I didn't end up winning the first un-framed teaser and the firecat signed album, and i won't spend that kind of money on the framed one.. Does anyone here know of an authentic signed teaser and the firecat album for sale anywhere? Or have one they would like to sell? I can only afford to pay upto $100 US, and i know that to you guys it's worth alot more than that, but i can try, can't i?  Oh, and by the way, here's the link to the other album that i missed out on.. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2284472885&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:ITAnyway, on a happier note, I'm thinking of bidding on this album.  It's only at about $24 USD at the moment, and for this kind of money, it's probably worth it just to get his signature, even if i don't like the album it's on  |
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Post by Daddy-o on Nov 17, 2004 14:30:28 GMT -5
There just seem to be so many crooks on ebay! I thought I'd struck lucky awhile back. I found an old letter dated September 1970 "signed" by Cat and from his old address in Shaftesbury Avenue, London. It was to a US fan. The giveaway that it was fake was that the letter had the wrong postcode! One part of London is W.1 but not the old restaurant end. The autograph, in red felt pen, looks very plausible and the letter was on old musty smelling paper, typed with an old typewriter. Very clever but the spelling was a give away - our UK "favourite" spelt the UK way as "favorite". I can't imagine that Cat was that international! I also purchased a photo clipped from an 80s book signed by "Cat". As we all know, Cat became Yusuf in the 70s. He would not have used his previous name on an 80s item. Wrong timescale there! It's put me off buying so called signed stuff on auction sites. The items are signed all right but by who?! There seems to be 100s of signed Cat albums on ebay in black marker pen. How many would he have realistically signed? I hate the thought of people getting ripped off by counterfeiters. There is no way of verifying, other than having a very keen eye and genuine articles as reference. While I'm having a real moan, the other thing that winds me up is seeing those framed presentation discs that look like official awards! These cost the dealers just a little time, the price of a decent frame and a can of gold spray paint. They're a major rip off.  |
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yaggy
Oh Very Young
Posts: 5
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Post by yaggy on Nov 18, 2004 0:12:40 GMT -5
That is certainly true daddy-o. Unless there is a photo with the signature showing the artist/fan/album that has been signed, then there is no real way to prove whether it is the real thing.. Even then, photo's can be doctored and photoshopped.
It's a shame, but where-ever there's a buck to be made, people will try and make it!
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Post by Vivian on Nov 18, 2004 9:51:22 GMT -5
That is very true, yappy. Now, in my case, I think I was lucky. I bought a signed copy of MBJ a few years back, and when I went to see Yusuf speak, I brought it with me for him to sign again. He happened to recognize his signature. I do hope people are careful, though. I hate for people to get ripped off.
Peace,Vivian
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Post by Nickleby on Nov 19, 2004 10:57:43 GMT -5
So is there any safe way to buy signed memorabilia? Is there a confirmed safe source? I know you should research this kind of stuff before you buy, but how do you do that kind of research?
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Post by Vivian on Nov 19, 2004 19:53:48 GMT -5
I wish I could give you something definite, but I can't. Does anyone else know??
Peace,Vivian
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yaggy
Oh Very Young
Posts: 5
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Post by yaggy on Nov 21, 2004 20:18:34 GMT -5
Hi guys, i'm slowly collecting all the different pictures of signed cat stuff to help everyone get a better idea of what's real and what isn't.. here are 2 different teaser records; and  Two fairly different styles, but still looks like the same typography.. then there's this catch bull at four album which I just purchased.. I hope someone can also add to this thread with any signatures they have of Cat, to help see what other people's autographs look like.. Cheers, Yagz |
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