Read this Before Buying any Autographs

Photo: Edward Norton's signature embedded in cement in front of Baltimore's Senator Theatre (taken by flatbroke)

I'm sure many of you are looking for the easiest way to get an Edward Norton autograph. The reality is there is not an easy way. In fact, the main reason why I have this page is to warn you about fake autographs. If you look through my website, you are not going to find one single image of an autographed photo of EN. I have seen a lot of autographed photos up for sale, but I don't know for a fact that any of them were actually signed by Edward Norton, so I won't post them. Before you spend your money, make sure you understand the risks.

"While it is impossible to definitely estimate the percentage of forged memorabilia, most industry experts concede that over half of the autographed memorabilia is forged. In fact, some cooperating subjects and memorabilia experts believe that up to ninety percent of the memorabilia on the market is forged."
FBI website

In April 2000, the FBI's Operation Bullpen busted a nationwide ring of forgers and seized approximately $10 million of forged memorabilia supposedly signed by athletes and celebrities (this includes some dealers that were previously considered "reputable"). If you are thinking this problem lies only in sports memborabilia, think again. X-files star David Duchovny sued an autograph dealer that was selling "authentic" autographed photos of DD for $60 each. He was awarded $366,000.

C.O.A. Equals Authentic?

Just because the autograph comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA) doesn't mean you have any added security that you are buying the real thing. COAs are only as trustworthy as the dealer who issues them. Please also keep this in mind when you are buying IP autographs (IP or in-person autographs means that the dealer or one of his/her employees actually witnessed the signing) - you are relying on the dealer's word. Also, ask how the autograph was obtained. Some reputable dealers were found to carry forged merchandise - not because they were associated with forgers, but because they were not careful enough and bought forged items without realizing it.

Am I safe on eBay?

During Operation Bullpen, it was discovered that forgers were using eBay and online auction sites to sell items. A class action lawsuit for fraud was filed against eBay by buyers as a result of information discovered in the investigation. eBay maintains that they are not responsible for the authenticity of the merchandise. Let the buyer beware. eBay has posted a guideline page on autographed items (it would be even better if they required all autographed merchandise sold through eBay to have a link to this page). Just my own little suggestion on this front - don't rely soley on the feedback rating to determine if this dealer is on the up and up. The feedback rating records the satisfaction of previous customers, it is not a rating by experts.

How can I be sure that it's the real thing?

Unless you personally witness the celebrity signing the object for you, you can not be totally sure that you have an authentic autograph. I had always thought charity auctions were the best bet for authenticity since it would be a charity getting the money rather than a dealer. WRONG! It came to light in Operation Bullpen that in some cases forgers were supplying the autographs and splitting the profits with the charity. If you are buying an item from a charity auction or organization, find out how it was obtained. For example, at the Baltimore Keeping the Faith premiere, EN attended the event and KTF posters autographed by him were sold in the lobby with the money going to a scholarship fund in his mother's name. Even though you couldn't actually see him signing the posters, it would be highly unlikely that these aren't the real thing (although I wouldn't trust the authenticity of buying a poster from someone who said they attended the event, you have only their word that the poster is the same). Highly publicized auctions featuring items from many celebrities (for example, the charity auction where celebs designed and donated a Christmas card to be auctioned) also seem to be a safer bet, but definitely a more expensive route to take.

So if you can't meet him in person, or go to a charity premiere, or buy from a reputable charity auction, what do you do? Research. Autograph collecting is a hobby of many individuals and even if you are just interested in a few or one, take the same safeguards as the devoted hobbists and look for specially certified dealers. The Universal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC) website has a list of registered dealers, dealers that meet their specific criteria for reliablity. They also have their own auction site as well as a link to UACC registered dealers' auctions on eBay. It's your money, so ask questions.

If I write Edward Norton, will he send me an autographed picture?

You can try this, but I don't know whether it will guarantee you an autographed picture. A few people have gotten a reply to a fan letter, but I haven't heard of him sending out autographed pictures. Also, bear in mind that he is an extremely busy actor who receives a lot of mail. It just may not be possible. I'm going to mention this even though it may not apply to Edward Norton - an autographed picture from a celebrity is not always a hand signed autograph. In response to autograph requests, some celebrities or studios send out autographed photos that were done by autopen (machine signs it), preprints (photo is a duplicate of a signed photo), secretary signed, or rubber stamp. Along with forgeries, these are also considered fakes in the autograph world (important to note for the price). If you want to try and write EN for a photo, the address is below:

Additional Resouces

Learn about Operation Bullpen from the FBI's report or from the U.S. Department of Justice

Tips on buying from online auctions from Autographs 101, a site that provides information on how to avoid forgeries

Is the Autograph Authentic?- this site talks about autopens, preprints, etc. as well as forgeries

Analysis: eBay fraud lawsuit raises questions. CNN report from Nov 2000

Fake Autographs. CBS news story.

Universal Autograph Collectors Club- list of registered dealers and resources for the hobbist Autopens and Preprints- site gives info and has posted examples of celeb fakes

eBay's guidelines on autographs

Tips straight from the FBI

The FBI posted the following tips in their Operation Bullpen section

If the price is too good to be true, it is probably a fake. If a company offers an autographed item well below competitors prices and market value, then consumers should be wary. An example would include Michael Jordan basketballs, which some companies sell for as low as $150.00. Given Jordan's current exclusive contract with Upper Deck and difficulties associated with obtaining his autograph, the Tuff Stuff Magazine market value of an autographed Jordan Basketball is $500, while Upper Deck Michael Jordan autographed basketballs retail for up to $1,500. (Caution - a high price does not by any means suggest authenticity either.)

Certificates of authenticity are not guarantees of authenticity. Individuals and companies involved with selling forged memorabilia often include a Certificate of Authenticity, allegedly from a third party expert. Often, the authenticator is either a knowing or unknowing, but incompetent, participant in the fraud. Carefully read the Certificate of Authenticity, looking for the authentication "language", an address, telephone number and name of the authenticators. Do not accept copies of Certificates of Authenticity. A photograph of an athlete or celebrity signing an autograph is no guarantee the item is authentic. This investigation revealed that it is a common practice of forged memorabilia traffickers to include a photograph of the athlete/celebrity signing the item along with a Certificate of Authenticity. Traffickers also include photographs of themselves with the athlete/celebrity to lend credibility to their forged memorabilia.

An individual or company having a paid signing session with an athlete or celebrity is no guarantee of authenticity. Operation Bullpen has revealed that is a common practice for forged memorabilia traffickers to "mix-in" forged memorabilia with items signed during an autograph session. For example, a company may pay to have an athlete sign 500 items. After the signing, the company will "mix-in" forgeries with the authentic autographs. The company also may continue to sell forged items after the authentic items have been sold claiming that they were from the autograph session.

The method of selling the memorabilia should not affect skepticism about the items authenticity. The investigation revealed that forged memorabilia traffickers sell their forgeries through a variety of methods which may lend credibility to the forgeries. One such sales method is through charity auctions in which the trafficker splits the profits with the charity. At charity auctions, buyers often overpay for items and do not question the authenticity of the memorabilia. Traffickers also sell forged items through trade publications, television shopping networks, trade shows, retail businesses, and the Internet.

Before purchasing autographed memorabilia, especially "vintage" or deceased athlete/celebrity memorabilia, ask questions about the history and circumstances relating to the autograph. Be wary of far-fetched or elaborate stories which are difficult, if not impossible to verify. Common false stories suggest connections to an athlete, or "runners" employed to get autographs. Whenever possible, attempt to verify the history and circumstances of the autographed items before making the purchase.

If an individual is seeking an autograph of a current player, send a request for an autograph directly to the athlete's team. Include a letter requesting that the enclosed item be autographed along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope or container. Only send photographs, cards or baseballs. Large items such as bats and jerseys should not be sent directly to the athlete. In the letter requesting an autograph, request information relating to where you can purchase authentic autographed items if the athlete does not sign autographs through mailed requests. The athlete or the team may direct the buyer to a company which has an autograph contract with the athlete.

To counter the forged memorabilia problem, many athletes and celebrities are either creating their own autograph company or are signing exclusive contracts with specific sports memorabilia companies. Dealing directly with the athlete's company or with an exclusive contract company will greatly reduce the likelihood of purchasing forged memorabilia.

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If you have new information on Edward Norton (and you can provide a verifiable and reputable source), please email me- Susan

Note: Articles and images have been posted without permission for noncommercial and nonprofit use with no intention of copyright infringement. The purpose of this reprinting is to disseminate correct information about the actors, films, and studios. I have included author names and links to sources whenever possible.