Game Used LOA's/COA's & Their Significants To The Hobby

[suave1477]

Re: Game Used LOA's/COA's & Their Significants To The Hobby

I don't think an LOA from Joe Schmoe is any less valuable then an LOA from a big name authenticator.

I think the mutual feeling in general is that basically anyone can write up an loa and just say it is game used. It is rare from (Example you mentioned Lou Lampson) that you see alot of definitive reasons in the loa for it being said to be used by (Players Name) Jersey or bat.

He usually just writes up a vague LOA stating it shows use.

Half the time the members here on the board spot red flags of why that item cannot be used by (said) person and they are obvious red flags.
For example: a Jersey that wasn't even made till after the player retired, a bat that shows no use, a jersey that shows an obvious retail tag.

Which then makes people feel that LOAS become worthless.

Now if you have an LOA anyone from Joe Schmoe to a big name Authenticator that gives a detailed description on it as mentioned by previous members it holds a lot stronger in the buyers eyes and makes the seller/authenticator that much credible.

When you have someone as the Authetnitcator that you mentioned who consistantly writes bad loas on items and calls himself a leading authenticator yet when something is questionable there is absolutely no access to reach him and understand why he feels the way he does about the item.

It makes him and LOAS not of much use.

Which in turns strengthens the phrase - 'Do your own homework"

[Eric]

Re: Game Used LOA's/COA's & Their Significants To The Hobby

Just fill in the blanks


(NAME OF PLAYER) was legendary at his sport. (INSERT STATISTICS HERE) (INSERT FLOWERY DESCRIPTION OF STYLE OF PLAY HERE)

This game used item is sourced from an equipment manager. Lettering and may or may not match game photos, but is acceptable. Slight puckering on the numbering denotes multiple washes. Game use is light, but apropos for his position.

Overall, the finest (NAME OF PLAYER) example this hobby has ever seen.

Signed

(INSERT YOUR NAME HERE)
RESPECTED HOBBY AUTHENTICATOR

[halzeus]

Re: Game Used LOA's/COA's & Their Significants To The Hobby

Well, if I saw an item for sale that came with a letter of authenticity from Joe Shmoe showing his findings, I would be more than willing to pay a premium for that item. The letter would have to describe the jersey in detail, indicating dates (or approx. dates) the item was used, photos, maybe stats of the player while the player used this item, and definitely high quality pictures showing a definitive photomatch. This letter probably should be 3-4 pages with all the pics.

-Chris

You pretty much described why I started this thread the other day:

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=24858

I have some items used by an All American from Michigan in the 1970s and I want to document them. Thanks for the ideas.

Dan

[BULBUS]

Re: Game Used LOA's/COA's & Their Significants To The Hobby

Well, if I saw an item for sale that came with a letter of authenticity from Joe Shmoe showing his findings, I would be more than willing to pay a premium for that item. The letter would have to describe the jersey in detail, indicating dates (or approx. dates) the item was used, photos, maybe stats of the player while the player used this item, and definitely high quality pictures showing a definitive photomatch. This letter probably should be 3-4 pages with all the pics.

-Chris

[TriplexXxSports]

I have been reading through quite a few threads recently about Game Used/Auction Houses/eBay items/LOA's & COA's, and it brought up a couple of questions about authentication. I would like to see how others would answer them.

It seems that when discussing a Game Used item the LOA/COA issued by an institution/person has been recently 'discrediting', or weighing heavily, the thoughts people have on that item.

Such comments as, LOA from Lou Lampson, must be garbage. Or 100% Authentic Team, WTF!? JUNK, and now most recently GFC Letters are getting slammed.

(The above comments are not verbatim, they were written by myself, only to make a point. These are not my personal thoughts or opinions, nor the thoughts and opinions of others)

So, why is it that the average joe cannot make a LOA/COA for an item that they are trying to sell if they have all the correct information that would outweigh a LOA/COA from a Big Named Company?

Would it be wrong if I were to purchase a game used item, photomatch/videomatch it to a particular date/game, type up a letter that states all of my findings (including the pictures/video, and any other concrete evidence that proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the item is legit) and sell it with my personal LOA?

Why don't others, who clearly have more authenticating knowledge than some of the other Big Name authenticators, make up their own LOA's?

Why do you think that personal LOA's, with concrete evidence, would still be less desirable that Big Name LOA's?

I would be very interested in hearing some of your thoughts.