Autograph Knowledgeable or Experts?...Rush Content

electracoyote

electracoyote

Jan 2, 2009
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Purple Mountain Majesties
#1
I'm starting here on TB because our membership seems to be both knowledgeable about a plethora of subjects and brutally honest, and because Geddy Lee is one of our perennial bass heroes. I'll turn to an autograph specialist/professional maybe after you guys and gals weigh in. Initially, I trust you more. (But if you have contact info for professionals you know and trust, please share).

Below I have posted up some cell pics of a vinyl LP jacket autographed by the three current members of the band Rush. Neil autographed it twice.

Since this was over 42 years ago, I'm wondering how I can possibly verify or authenticate these and what value they might eventually have to a collector or fan. I guess I'm prepping for the possibility of a private sale, and how to provide proof. I looked for some similar autographed memorabilia and I have a ball park figure, but I'm not greedy. I'm actually downsizing material possessions and preparing to move, and I'm giving away a lot of stuff, but trying to sell stuff that has significant value to the right kind of buyers.

As I researched Rush autographs on-line, these look just like their signatures from their earlier period. FWIW. How do professionals determine and prove authenticity so long after the fact, and what are my options if I want to do a private sale without brokering through a professioanl?

Back Story:

I was a high-schooler in 1977. Two friends and I went to an autograph signing session at the local Peaches Records store. Rush was building a healthy ever-growing fan base after 2112, they were probably writing new material for AFTK (I think they tested a couple out on their live audiences), and touring in support of All The World's A Stage. (The tour and show are documented here: All The World’s A Stage Tour | Rush.com ...you'll notice they had sold-out shows on both Jan. 26 and 27, 1977, and I was at one of them; they often had to book two back-to-back dates when they came to Columbus because we were batpoopie Rush crazy). Still, there just wasn't much of a line. We got to the table quickly and there they sat, Neil, Alex, and Geddy. They were very casual, semi-friendly. Polite. Canadian. Not stuffy bored rock stars, just dudes hanging out with fans. Everyone was very cool, this was way before whatever Rush hysteria that eventually developed. We chatted briefly, my Rush LP got shuffled about among them and Neil accidentally signed it twice. Neil was in a good mood, this was also before he grew weary of the limelight (notice he wrote "Hello" before one of his signatures).

(One of my friends goaded Neil into signing "Professor" Neil Peart, and Neil reluctantly obliged...funny story there.)

The LP jacket and vinyl are about a B grade, GC, it looks like a little water got to the bottom right corner of the jacket, the vinyl is slightly scratchy from normal handling but still plays fine with no skips. It was pressed after Mercury Records took over distribution.

So, besides telling the above story that a child could have invented, what do you think I can or should do to verify the authenticity of this autographed vinyl LP jacket, and if you're in the know, what would it fetch? I've never bought or sold an autograph, so I don't know the first thing about it. Like I said, I'm not greedy, but I don't want to get soaked either. If it gets flipped by a pro for more, fine with me as long as I'm treated fairly. Thanks in advance for your help, tips, tricks, and advice.

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#3
hbarcat said:
Sorry, I don't have an answer for you but just wanted to say I think it's funny that you have Neal's autograph on the only Rush album that he didn't play on. And he's the one who signed it twice.
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Yeah, I'm sure he was used to it by then. He did play several of those songs live for many years.

I'm not sure why I grabbed that one. Maybe all the white. Maybe I was a dumb kid at the time.
 
#4
I doubt if it affects the value at all. The problem with stuff like band autographs is most of them have done so many "meet and greet" events that there are literally tens or even hundreds of thousands of their autographs all over The place. Any $$$ value a signed item has is if it has a unique characteristic that any genuine fan would really desire.
 
#5
hbarcat said:
I doubt if it affects the value at all. The problem with stuff like band autographs is most of them have done so many "meet and greet" events that there are literally tens or even hundreds of thousands of their autographs all over The place. Any $$$ value a signed item has is if it has a unique characteristic that any genuine fan would really desire.
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I see Rush autographs of a similar nature selling in the hundreds, some even missing a member.

And they are actually hard to find. I'm wondering if there might be a scarcity factor working in my favor.

Here's one that didn't make it to Neil, only Alex and Geddy.

Rush Hemispheres LP Record Album Double Hand Signed Autographed By Both Geddy Lee And Alex Lifeson w/ LOA
 
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#6
I don't want to get too deep in the philosophical or speculative weeds here, but there was a long period in the band's history where theirs' were not the most sought after autographs in the pop/rock pantheon. Like I said, even as they crested the wave of 2112 and had enough crowd-pleasers for a double live LP, I practically walked right up to the table and had a nice casual close encounter without waiting more than a couple of minutes. I think it took them some sustained effort over decades and a slow trek to mainstream success before they were more "autograph worthy." I'd even go so far as to wonder how many people from that era tossed or lost their Rush signed memorabilia.

For some time now, since they achieved a more legendary status and crossed over to numerous generations, I'll bet they only do meet and greets in very controlled and safe environments, nothing at all like what I experienced. They would get mobbed. And as we know, Neil has avoided fans almost entirely for about the same time frame. You'll only get Neil to sign whatever the staff can box up and carry to him, if you're a special lucky fan with an inside track, and that includes his own book.
 
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#8
hbarcat said:
And that's why my opinion on these types of collectibles isn't worth squat.
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lol

All feedback is appreciated, and your opinion is valid. You're trying to help, and I appreciate it. I am in the dark here, completely outside my wheelhouse. Maybe the real experts will show up eventually.

Some people think the whole concept of selling autograph memorabilia is morally corrupt, and I hope now that I've addressed that the thread won't devolve.
 
#9
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#13
JSA, as well as many other vendors, offer authentication services for a set fee. It's all done over the web.
If you're serious about selling this for a profit that's likely your best option short of getting the band together to pose for a picture with you and the album.

-Mike
 
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#14
petrus61 said:
As with everything, asking price is less of a determining factor than what others have already sold for, but you probably already know this.
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This is basically it. The true value of any item is exactly what someone is willing to actually pay for it.

I learned this the hard way a few months ago when I sold a pair of 70's Mercedes Benz 450SEL's. Both were solid, rust free cars that I had driven until recently. One of them had a fuel injection problem and quit running. The other car's suspension was badly worn out and needed to be completely replaced.

Unfortunately, it would have required at least 2-3 thousand dollars to get either car roadworthy because replacement parts are either unavailable or extremely scarce and expensive.

Buyers know this, which makes them a "white elephant". I sold both cars for a total of $500. If they had been in "good" condition with no real issues, they would each sell for 5-10 thousand.
 
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#15
hbarcat said:
This is basically it. The true value of any item is exactly what someone is willing to actually pay for it.
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Right. And I'm in no hurry and happy to let the market dictate its value. So I guess I'm not really looking for the definitive specific answer to its actual value, unless some expert wanted to chime in.

You can also search eBay and other sites for actual prices paid for similar items. It appears my estimated value is in the ballpark.

I was just wondering if there's a way and how to do this on my own without COA and paying a professional handler's fee, and what I can do to get it authenticated or what to tell interested buyers when they ask for authentication.

Based on some of the responses, my initial instincts may be correct. There is no easy way around this without a reputable established middle man and his fee. Granted, his fee is an investment that could also ensure I get a decent price. And some of these dealers pay up front and recover + profit when they flip the item.

I would keep it, but to be honest it's been in the peach crates with hundreds of other LP's for decades. With the advent of cassette and digital tech, I haven't even played the thing in decades (though I do have working turntables in the house). I never look at it. So I must not be the most enthusiastic autograph appreciator (though I still love Rush). I also have numerous other bands' LP jackets autographed by the entire original line-ups from back in the day (we hung out at Peaches a lot back then), but I only submitted the Rush sleeve because there are so many Rush junkies here.

Thanks y'all, more comments welcome.
 
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