While not about original props and costumes from movies or television, this story is of interest in that it involves a public auction and public challenges over the authenticity of a high value item offered for sale – an ambulance said to have carried the body of President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1963 (Barrett-Jackson Lot: 1277 – 1963 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE AMBULANCE). [Read more…]
As was the case in previous years (see 2007 Year in Review, 2008 Year in Review, 2009 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial featuring my personal observations with regards to the hobby – looking back at the top trends, developments, and news stories of 2010. As is always the case, this is a completely subjective exercise, and merely touches on the developments and events that relate to the hobby. [Read more…]
New York Daily News sports writer Michael O’Keefe has been publishing an ongoing series of articles about an FBI investigation into the sports memorabilia industry (see Mastro Auctions Closes In Midst Of FBI Investigation Into Shill Bidding & Fraud Allegations). Two updates have been published this week by the Daily News. [Read more…]
Tonight Mimi Jung of King 5 News in Seattle, Washington broadcast a video report on investigations by the FBI into sports memorabilia fraud, with a focus on autograph forgeries. [Read more…]
As a brief update to the various scandals involving allegedly fraudulent vintage movie posters circulating in the marketplace, two stories published online today by the New York Times report that Kerry T. Haggard has been arrested on mail fraud charges. [Read more…]
Since today is “Black Friday”, I thought it would be appropriate to republish an editorial that I posted last year as the holiday season approached, warning consumers against the purchase of television and movie props, costumes, and other assets as gifts for loved ones. [Read more…]
eBay dealer “moniemon92” – with an account created in 2007 but with no recorded transactions until a few weeks ago – has listed a number of items for sale with “Global Antiques” certificates of authenticity. These auction offerings are dominated by listings of items owned/autographed by the recently deceased Michael Jackson. [Read more…]
One of the lead investigations conducted last year involved “original” memorabilia offered for sale with certificates of authenticity from “Global Antiques”, signed by Greg Jones. Pieces were sold on eBay via “Auction Depot LA” and “Auction Shop USA”. These accounts were suspended by eBay, and one of the collectors who purchased a number of items from these companies/individuals filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court. [Read more…]
