Authenticity is by far the most important thing.

If a guitar is presented as being personally owned by John Lennon, then that ought to be accurate; otherwise, it's a fraud, and the item might very well be somewhat worthless. A $500 USD guitar is worth $200,000 USD if it's Lennon's. How, then, is it possible to determine if it's real or not? Provenance is fundamental in terms of various items that have been owned, worn, played and/or used by notable historical individuals. The provenance of an item reveals its history, providing insight into how, for example, the guitar was passed from John Lennon to its current owner. To strengthen the provenance, it's necessary to have it documented with a so-called letter of provenance. The more detailed, the better! A more solid provenance would include a photograph of Lennon playing that very guitar. A high-quality photograph would also reveal the wood grain of the guitar, as well as its condition, which would further support its authenticity since every vintage guitar is unique. If that would be the case, then the item is accurately photo-matched. Some sellers claim that an item is photo-matched because it looks similar to an item in a photograph. But for something to be photo-matched by its true definition, it must be 100% clear that it's indeed the exact same item in the photo.

In terms of handwritten and signed material, provenance isn't necessarily a key factor in determining authenticity. It helps, of course, but it's not needed. With handwriting, it's more of a science. At Alexander Bitar History, we collaborate with world-leading experts in specific fields to obtain signed and dated letters of authenticity from the relevant expert. For example, a handwritten and signed letter from John F. Kennedy would benefit from a letter of authenticity from Mr. John Reznikoff, the world-leading authority on presidential handwriting. Similarly, handwritten lyrics by Lennon or McCartney for a Beatles song would benefit from a letter of authenticity from Mr. Frank Caiazzo. The list goes on.

And then there's a third category. Items of which the authenticity can only be determined by having it examined in person. A fine example is a Nobel Prize medal, which we've sold plenty of at Alexander Bitar History. To determine the authenticity of a Nobel Prize medal, one must study the medal in person to ensure that the size, weight, material, patina, etc., is correct. Of course, if the item is accompanied by the original Nobel Prize diploma and the original medal box, then that helps. However, the item must be examined in person by someone with extensive knowledge and expertise. If one can obtain a statement from The Nobel Foundation, confirming the authenticity, that would be very positive. In short, the more documentation and third-party statements – the better.

However, it's vital not to be fooled by a bunch of paperwork. To fake an autograph, all you need is a pen and a paper. To fake a certification, all you need is a computer, printer, and paper. There are numerous shady auction houses and individuals on platforms, such as Ebay, who sell fake items with fake certifications. They know precisely what they are doing. For inexperienced collectors, the mere mention of "certification" is enough to instill confidence that the item is authentic. I can honestly say that I was just like that in my early days. I assumed that all people were honest and only sold authentic items, and when someone said that there was an accompanying certificate, then I didn't even question it.

It's extremely important to research. There are many online forums where collectors share their experiences. That's a good source to learn from others' mistakes and to learn from their advice. Of course, the biggest lesson always comes from learning from your own mistakes. If you lack knowledge, rely on reputable dealers and auction houses. But then again, to determine which dealers and auction houses are legitimate and honest, thorough research is necessary.

Needless to say, the authenticity is THE most important thing. At Alexander Bitar History, our highest priority is only to sell authentic and original items. We invest a significant amount of time, effort, and resources into this, which is why we are confident that everything we sell is authentic. We're therefore very proud to offer a lifetime guarantee, including a full money-back warranty on all items we sell.

/Alexander Bitar