Buy with confidence, it's authentic. Your purchase from RedSoxMemorabilia.com is guaranteed authentic. Our authenticated products come from the most respected names in the business; Upper Deck®, Steiner Sports®, Tristar®, Schwartz Sports, Scoreboard®, Mounted Memories®, Sports Images and James Spence Authentication. Information on the authentication process for: Steiner Authenticated, Upper Deck Authenticated, Tri Star Authenticated, Schwartz Sports Authenticated, Sports Images and James Spence Authentication are at the bottom of this page. The following information is provided to assist you with your purchase of authenticated hand signed sports memorabilia. Certificate of Authenticity(COA): The COA that accompanies your item provides you with assurance that the signature on your collectible is authentic. However, it is recommended that the COA is from a trusted source. Additional Assurance: Many of the leading authenticators go beyond providing a COA by including a hologram with a number that can be recorded and verified in their data base. They also have a representative present at signings. Important factors to consider before making a purchase: • Who is the provider of the COA (is it the retailer, etailer, or web auctioneer or is it an "authenticator) ? • If the item is not from one of the industries leading authenticators, how and where was it acquired? • How can I trust that the item is authentic? • Is the retailer/etailer who is selling the item one of the sports memorabilia industries leading authenticators (such as: Upper Deck®, Steiner Sports®, Tristar®, Schwartz Sports, Scoreboard®, Mounted Memories®, MLB® (Major League Baseball), Sports Images and James Spence Authentication)? Be cautious and even leary when websites, auction sites and retailers offer: • autographed sports memorabilia that was “received as a gift” and has no COA. • autographed sports memorabilia that “previously belonged to a relative” and has no COA. • authentic autographed sports memorabilia without specific details about the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) that accompanies the item such as "ACME guarantees the signature on this item to be authentic" • autographed sports memorabilia that was “personally” acquired • a price that seems to good to be true, too low, or too enticing • “great deals” on authentic autographed sports memorabilia • claims that the item is a "great investment" or "will definitely, likely, or probably increase in value." Why is it important to purchase Aunthenticated Sports Memorabilia from a trusted source? Experts estimate that 50% to 80% of hand-signed sports collectibles are forged with the majority of forgeries being offered on “auction sites.” Beware of any site that does not inform you about the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for that autographed item. A COA from a trusted source is the only verification that can prove the signature is authentic and purchasing any signed collectible without a COA significantly increases the risk that the signature IS NOT authentic. This link will provide a bief video clip about independent authentication companies. Companies such as PSA/DNA and James Spence have "experts" that give their opinion as to the authenticity of a signature. {Copy & paste into your browser} http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=9AAD5BF8A85286C15DB83F50805F91EC?contentId=4976451&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1 You should seriously re-consider the purchase of any sports memorabilia that does not come with a COA issued from a reputable company. Here is an example of "what to be careful of" when shopping on-line auctions: “UP FOR AUCTION IS ONE (1) DEREK JETER / ALEX RODRIGUEZ DUAL SIGNED 2005 ALL STAR BASEBALL W/C.O.A! You are bidding on an official Rawlings Major League Baseball autographed by two Yankee greats. Side panel autographs right under the All Star game logo.A very nice piece to add to your collection. ALL AUTOGRAPHS ARE OBTAINED EITHER IN PERSON, HOBBY SHOPS, SHOWS,TRADES OR HERE ON EBAY.” SALE DETAILS: Opening Bid $50; Selling price $177.50; Bidders 9; Total bids 21; Authenticator: provided on request. (We asked and were provided the information, but could not determine who the authenticator is or where they are located.) ***Special Note*** Although the signatures of both players appear authentic, Derek Jeter was NOT an All Star in 2005 !! All reputable businesses will openly disclose details about the COA that accompanies the collectible. Who are recognized as reputable authenticators? Here is a partial listing: Steiner Sports • Upper Deck Star Productions • Mounted Memories • MLB • Schwartz Sports • Sports Images • SuperStar Greetings • Iron Clad • PAID Sports • Pro Sports Memorabilia•James Spence Authenticators • AROD Authenticated • Great North Road America (Bobby Orr) • Larry Bird (Larry bird) Steiner Sports Upper Deck TriStar Schwartz Sports MLB Authentication Program Sports Images James Spence Authentication Authentication is provided by the companies you trust: Steiner Sports, UpperDeck Authenticated, MLB Authenticated, Scoreboard, Schwartz Sports, Sports Images, Tri Star, Mounted Memories,Green Diamond, Great North Road, Bob Pace Boxing. All merchandise prices are based on instock availabilty. Please Note: The collectible nature of authenticated sports memorabilia and players' signing schedules could affect the availability of certain items. As a result, in stock items may be in limited quantities. If your desired item happens to be out of stock when you place your order, we will gladly try to locate the item for you from the same or alternate authenticator, however the price of the new item may differ from what was previously in stock. Are you looking for an item/player that is not shown in our on line store, please contact us.