This is the first in a series of articles intended to discuss and build upon the tools of authentication: concepts, terminology, definitions, analysis, and more. While Certificates of Authenticity, or “COAs”, have been the topic of a number of previous articles, the scope of this feature is to define and categorize COAs by 1) their source and 2) their function.
A key related precursor article is:
Given that many COAs circulating in the marketplace have no true function other than use (and to some degree misuse) as a promotional tool, I think it is appropriate to develop modifying terminology which more accurately conveys the true function and validity of each document.
Of course, in addition to guaranteeing the stated certification, these documents are “supposed” to memorialize the professional authentication of an original movie or television asset. I think it goes without saying that everyone has differing standards as to what qualifies a piece to be promoted to “authentic” status, and many unscrupulous individuals use COAs as a tool to defraud collectors. This article does not address the component of the COA related to authenticity, only the issuing source and the function as it relates to a guarantee of the claims made in the document.
As noted in detail in the prior OPB feature article noted above, there are a number of considerations when evaluating a Certificate of Authenticity, and a number of sources with varying credibility when it comes to authentication.
The COA: Source/Issuer
Studio Reseller COA
“Studio Resellers” are businesses that obtain props directly from the studio/production, generally have exclusive rights to sell from certain properties, have some type of official sanctioning from the studios/productions, they sometimes sell in partnerships of some sort with the studio/production, and they often have some type of endorsement from the studio with an “official” COA or even a “Studio COA” (i.e. COA issued by the studio exclusively/directly).
The main function of the Studio Reseller COA is to provide some level of studio endorsement, which accomplishes two things:
1) it speaks to authenticity, by virtue of providing a direct link to the studio and production, and
2) it declares the piece “free and clear” of any legal/ownership issues (i.e. the piece is officially released into the marketplace and not stolen).
Professional Dealer COA
The main function of the “Professional Dealer” COA is to certify the piece as original. Another function, which is not typically discussed, is that it frequently “reinitializes” provenance – which restarts history of ownership for both new to market pieces as well as “resale” pieces. Each piece is essentially “reborn” from the newly established Professional Dealer point of ownership going forward, and the prior history of the piece is lost to the new owner (and likely subsequent owners). One of the inherent issues with Professional Dealers buying, trading, and selling original props is that the history of the piece is typically rendered confidential. This is because dealers are typically very proprietary about information. The piece is not necessarily “free and clear” of any legal/ownership issues. Some Professional Dealers do offer varying kinds of “money back guarantees” as a component part of their COA.
Auction House COA
Auction houses typically do not issue COAs for pieces sold at their events. More importantly, the Terms of Sale (frequently “as is, where is” with no guarantee – see Auction House Buying Considerations) would likely negate any guarantee function, so it would serve merely to memorialize the sale.
Individual & Private Seller COA
Any COA issued by anyone other than a Studio, Studio Reseller, Professional Dealer, or Auction House. Given the non-business nature of such sales, guarantees are typically not offered, and if so, one must consider the prospect of enforcing such a guarantee would be unlikely.
The COA: Function/Guarantee
In addition to the person or business issuing the COA, the other important aspect that warrants evaluation is determining the function of the COA. By the very name of the document (Certificate of Authenticity), it is supposed to both certify and guarantee that a piece is what it is marketed to be (in the case of original props, authentic and genuine). However, I have seen examples of all of the issuers – Studio Resellers, Professional Dealers, Auction Houses, and Individual & Private Sellers – that explicitly state in their terms of sale that “all sales are final”, “no returns”, and “sold as is, where is”, so it is very important to determine the value and terms of any guarantee attached to a COA. While many would assume receiving any COA guarantees the piece, in most cases there is no guarantee whatsoever.
As such, I think it is important to consider every potential condition of sale and develop terms to assign to each type of situation so that there is a menu of terms to draw from in discussing these documents to fit every circumstance.
I believe that there are three primary categories which serve to cover each scenario:
Full (Money Back) Guarantee
The issuer of the COA guarantees the item is authentic and as described in the COA, and should this prove to be in any way inaccurate, the buyer and/or any subsequent owner can return the piece to the issuer of the COA at any time for a refund of the original purchase price.
Conditional (Money Back) Guarantee
The issuer of the COA guarantees the item is authentic and the buyer can return the piece to the issuer of the COA for a refund of the original purchase price, but certain conditions (time, transfer of ownership, etc.) may limit or altogether forfeit the ability to secure a refund.
No (Money Back) Guarantee
The issuer of the COA does not guarantee the item is authentic, and there is no option for a refund under any circumstances.
Again, it is also important to consider the capability of the individual or business to guarantee a refund.
The COA: Building Terminology
So given the four potential sources of COAs and the three potential functions with regards to authenticity, I think it is important to develop some succinct terms to apply to the word “COA” to better classify and define the source and value of each document.
Function/Guarantee:
- “Full Guarantee”
- “Conditional Guarantee”
- “No Guarantee”
Source/Issuer:
- Studio
- Dealer
- Auction House
- Private
So, as an example, a Certificate of Authenticity from Hollywood Vault, a Studio Reseller with an “ALL SALES FINAL” term as part of their auction, could have their COA described as:
“No Guarantee” Studio COA
Obviously, in the case of buying direct from an officially sanctioned Studio Reseller, authenticity is a given, and a money back guarantee is not applicable. But the description is factual.
As another example, The Prop Store of London is a Professional Dealer with an unconditional money-back guarantee, which is transferable collector to collector. Their COA would be described as:
“Full Guarantee” Dealer COA
With Propmasters, given their stipulation that their COA “covers the guaranteed authenticity of each item for a full year”, I would classify it as:
“Conditional Guarantee” Dealer COA
I have seen an example of a Profiles in History COA. Given their auction terms, which buyers accept in order to participate in the auctions, I would classify it is a no guarantee COA. So I would describe their COA as:
“No Guarantee” Auction House COA
As another example, I would classify the eBay seller “stonark” (see eBay’s “stonark” (AKA “Corner Collectibles”)) as an Individual/Private Seller, given the lack of a business address and phone number on their COAs. They state an “ALL SALES FINAL!” policy in their eBay listings. I would describe their COA as:
“No Guarantee” Private COA
I would also suggest that if the return/refund policy of the seller is unstated or is not very clearly articulated in detail, to default down to the lower/lowest function (i.e. if a guarantee is unstated, assume “No Guarantee”; if business status is not clear, assume “Private”).
Concluding Remarks
Regardless of whether anyone else adopts this system, I plan to employ it in future OPB articles as a tool to describe and evaluate offerings in the marketplace.
Jason De Bord