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We wrote about the book seminar recently, and one of our sources was a past VP of the ABAA, Jennifer Larson. Jennifer used to be located in San Francisco and was proprietor of Yerba Buena Books and now currently lives in Rochester with her husband, bookseller Jeffrey Marks. Her background is in library science and as a staff member of John Howell Books. Her writings include articles about her specialization, Californiana, and forgery.
"Nobody is an expert on that," Larson lamented during a recent interview that forgery was a problem "not adequately met by the trade."
One of the most prevalent pools for forged items are eBay, specifically sports and entertainment autographs. "It is a problem so large that the consumer division of the FBI pays attention to it."
When asked what percentage of the autographs for sale on the Internet might be forgeries, she suggested that half might be in question. "An absolute guarantee is impossible unless you witness the signature."
Consumers wanting to avoid forgeries should buy only from a reputable dealer who offers a guarantee. Since the process is caveat emptor (buyer beware), buyers should investigate sellers before laying down any cash.
Larson states that part of the problem is that there are "not satisfactory repercussions." Technically it is not a crime to sell a fake. It is a crime to deceive the buyer into thinking a fake is true. "The financial rewards are so large," Larson said, that forgeries are tempting to some. The low fines and short jail terms imposed on those that are prosecuted for selling forgeries also contribute to the problem.
Her solution is science. If science could develop a litmus test to identify fakes, something infallible like DNA testing and inexpensive, the problem could be addressed but she doesn't see that happening during our lifetime.
Her suggestion, meanwhile, is to know the provenance of anything you buy. "A provenance is harder to forge than the item itself." She also suggests getting an expert opinion. "A forgery is no better than the facts on which it's based." Therefore, having someone who is expert in documentation and history as a friend, or being part of an organization that will assist you will be a boon. The IRS, as a response to forgeries, will no longer accept appraisals to substantiate value. An item must have a history that is tangible.
Larson entered the world of forgery when asked by a claims adjuster to appraise a colleague's bookstore. More than one fire had claimed insured items and Larson was called into determine the value of some items that were rumored to be forged.
"There was gossip that the fire was arson," she explained. Other colleagues were approached for the job but shied away from the problem. Larson felt she could not refuse. "What if the man was innocent?" she asked.
"This was an unexpected challenge," she admitted. Her investigation showed that some of the burned documents relating to the history of Texas were, indeed, forged.
Given that the culprit being investigated has, heretofore, a good reputation and standing in the book community, Larson's decision was probably not easily made. But despite the pressures that had to have tugged her in many different ways, Larson's willingness to approach the problem with an open mind demonstrated integrity and the highest degree of professionalism. For more information about this case, you can read one account online at http://www.gregorycurtis.com/article-forgery.html.
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