How to write a letter declaring authenticity of items I have sold?

[Ichinisan]

My twin brother and I participated in the Blockbuster Video World Video Game Championship II back in 1995. We both played on the SNES side on a special Donkey Kong Country cartridge -- the ultra-rare "competition pak" with a 5 minute game timer. I won "store champion" for the older age group and got one year of free game rentals. I have some paraphernalia from the competition, including the framed award and "Champion's Card" (which was used to claim my free rentals).

I accepted an offer from a European collector that wants to buy the items from me. I offered to write a letter of authenticity. Since I've never written anything like that, I want to know if there's some sort of guideline I should follow.

Can the text contain personal anecdotes? Should I get it notarized? Does notarization even matter outside of USA?

 

[IronWing]

As long as you seal the envelope with a lipstick kiss it will work.

 

[Mayne]

The current record holder for donkey kong had his title stripped away for cheating.

 

[Ichinisan]

The current record holder for donkey kong had his title stripped away for cheating.

This was 1995, so we're talking about Donkey Kong Country for SNES.

Also, if I understand correctly, Billy Mitchell had no longer been #1 for Donkey Kong (arcade) for a long time since the 2007 movie generated a lot of interest and competition.

 

[Mayne]

This was 1995, so we're talking about Donkey Kong Country for SNES.

Also, if I understand correctly, Billy Mitchell had no longer been #1 for Donkey Kong (arcade) for a long time since the 2007 movie generated a lot of interest and competition.

i'm just saying. I was 14 and couldn't pass the 2nd level back in the day.

 

[Mayne]

all the while my buddies were rolling Defender and StarGate....i was busy making a legend on Make Trax that sat next to those machines.

 

[squirrel dog]

Let buyer know you are a member of ATOT .

 

[SKORPI0]

Here, this might just work..... Not.

https://www.amazon.com/Certificate-Authenticity-Security-Labels-Corresponding/dp/B00J3VQDOO/

How to Get a Certificate Of Authenticity

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Probably some form of evidence that you did win (like a picture or newspaper clipping of some sort if you have it?) and a letter that's been notarized?

 

[JEDIYoda]

Usually just because you type up a letter of authenticity -- that means nothing!!
There are companies that specialize in authenticating items.
Sorry to say but legally your letter that you write does not prove authenticity!!

 

[BoomerD]

Usually just because you type up a letter of authenticity -- that means nothing!!
There are companies that specialize in authenticating items.
Sorry to say but legally your letter that you write does not prove authenticity!!

Exactly.

 

[purbeast0]

LOL @ thinking a random person typing up a random letter with random anecdotes makes something "authentic".

Hey, I have this authentic game worn Michael Jordan jersey from the NBA finals when he won his 3rd ring. I bought it from China for $20 but it's authentic. Here's a letter I typed up to prove it.

 

[PottedMeat]

...blockbuster is still around kinda right? how many hoops would you have to jump through for them to type up a letter saying the stuff you've got is from a video game competition in 1995.

if someone offers you money for that stuff, take the money, ship it, and run

 

[IronWing]

Ignore those who seek outside affirmations. Stand on your own authority. As long as you sign it, it is authentic.

 

[SKORPI0]

 

[IronWing]

Based on the pic above, that is obviously not a moon rock.

The moon is black
The moon is white
Made of basalt
And anorthocite.

 

[Ichinisan]

LOL @ thinking a random person typing up a random letter with random anecdotes makes something "authentic".

No matter how prestigious the certifying organization, a letter or certificate never "makes something authentic." Hey, my socks are authentic Hanes, purchased from a major retailer (Walmart). They are, even though I don't have a letter stating so. I just finished eating an authentic quarter pounder with cheese from McDonalds. No certificate.

My items are authentic, so the very least I can offer is my personal assurance that these items are exactly what I say they are. If any future owner needs to, they can refer back to me or my friends and family. However insignificant my personal reputation is, I can still offer to put my reputation at stake. That's how it works.

Also, "some random person" would be someone that doesn't have first-hand experience. If Russell Crowe sells memorabilia from his movies, is he "some random person?" He even sold the cloth backing to Denzel Washington's on-the-set chair, which Crowe swiped as they finished filming American Gangster together. If Crowe expects someone to buy a pice of cloth that says "Denzel Washington" on it, I'm sure the potential buyer and future owners would like an explanation from Crowe of how he came to possess it.

Hey, I have this authentic game worn Michael Jordan jersey from the NBA finals when he won his 3rd ring. I bought it from China for $20 but it's authentic. Here's a letter I typed up to prove it.

Thankfully no counterfeits of these are known to exist. I would simply offer myself as a reference to the history of this item.

 

[Ichinisan]

Usually just because you type up a letter of authenticity -- that means nothing!!
There are companies that specialize in authenticating items.
Sorry to say but legally your letter that you write does not prove authenticity!!

Well, yeah. Even the specialized companies you refer to don't prove anything "legally." They merely place their reputation on the line by providing their assurance. They use knowledge and experience to reach their educated conclusions.

I already have the knowledge and experience (first hand). My reputation is relatively insignificant, but I can still offer my assurance and offer myself as a reference to future owners down the line.

 

[Nashemon]

Well, yeah. Even the specialized companies you refer to don't prove anything "legally." They merely place their reputation on the line by providing their assurance. They use knowledge and experience to reach their educated conclusions.

I already have the knowledge and experience (first hand). My reputation is relatively insignificant, but I can still offer my assurance and offer myself as a reference to future owners down the line.

Agreed fully with what you just said and your previous post.

There is no stamp that magically makes anything 100% official. It's all based on the documentation that goes along with it. The stories of how it came into possession, a picture of a subject of significance or time period wearing or holding the item in question, etc that checks out with the supposed history of the piece. A company that seeks to authenticate such an item takes these sorts of things into consideration before putting their name behind it. And even that doesn't prove anything.

Has no one seen Antiques Roadshow before?

 

[CZroe]

Usually just because you type up a letter of authenticity -- that means nothing!!
There are companies that specialize in authenticating items.
Sorry to say but legally your letter that you write does not prove authenticity!!

Exactly.

I think it bears more weight than you realize...

More:
https://imgur.com/a/Vx41Z

LOL @ thinking a random person typing up a random letter with random anecdotes makes something "authentic".

Hey, I have this authentic game worn Michael Jordan jersey from the NBA finals when he won his 3rd ring. I bought it from China for $20 but it's authentic. Here's a letter I typed up to prove it.

LOL at the “random person” assumption.

The point is, he is the verified winner for that store and he personally vouches for the authenticity of the items he bundled with his already authenticated award... as well as the award itself.

No matter how prestigious the certifying organization, a letter or certificate never "makes something authentic." Hey, my socks are authentic Hanes, purchased from a major retailer (Walmart). They are, even though I don't have a letter stating so. I just finished eating an authentic quarter pounder with cheese from McDonalds. No certificate.

My items are authentic, so the very least I can offer is my personal assurance that these items are exactly what I say they are. If any future owner needs to, they can refer back to me or my friends and family. However insignificant my personal reputation is, I can still offer to put my reputation at stake. That's how it works.

Also, "some random person" would be someone that doesn't have first-hand experience. If Russell Crowe sells memorabilia from his movies, is he "some random person?" He even sold the cloth backing to Denzel Washington's on-the-set chair, which Crowe swiped as they finished filming American Gangster together. If Crowe expects someone to buy a pice of cloth that says "Denzel Washington" on it, I'm sure the potential buyer and future owners would like an explanation from Crowe of how he came to possess it.



Thankfully no counterfeits of these are known to exist. I would simply offer myself as a reference to the history of this item.

Funny that the day after you post this is when all the news articles confirm that Blockbuster Video received all that Russell Crowe movie memorabilia from John Oliver.

...blockbuster is still around kinda right? how many hoops would you have to jump through for them to type up a letter saying the stuff you've got is from a video game competition in 1995.

if someone offers you money for that stuff, take the money, ship it, and run

Just a couple non-corporate locations that paid to continue using the name independently, IIRC.

 

[BoomerD]

I think it bears more weight than you realize...

More:
https://imgur.com/a/Vx41Z



LOL at the “random person” assumption.

The point is, he is the verified winner for that store and he personally vouches for the authenticity of the items he bundled with his already authenticated award... as well as the award itself.


Funny that the day after you post this is when all the news articles confirm that Blockbuster Video received all that Russell Crowe movie memorabilia from John Oliver.


Just a couple non-corporate locations that paid to continue using the name independently, IIRC.

That does give his "certificate of authenticity" some legitimacy...MUCH more than:

I, John Doe, do hereby certify that the stuff I'm selling is authentic...You have my solemn word on it!

 

[zinfamous]

Agreed fully with what you just said and your previous post.

There is no stamp that magically makes anything 100% official. It's all based on the documentation that goes along with it. The stories of how it came into possession, a picture of a subject of significance or time period wearing or holding the item in question, etc that checks out with the supposed history of the piece. A company that seeks to authenticate such an item takes these sorts of things into consideration before putting their name behind it. And even that doesn't prove anything.

Has no one seen Antiques Roadshow before?

Pretty much. As long as you have a nice document trail: competition awards, with name, newspaper articles, other stuff that, in an official, public way link you to the item, it would very likely be credited as authentic by anyone tasked with verifying it. "Very Likely" is what matters.

Those documents should all accompany the set anyway, if it is to be sold as an item. I would still get it notarized.

 

[tynopik]

you just need a photo of yourself with the award holding up a sign saying 'Yes [collector], this is my award'

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Write a letter describing the items and telling the story.

Go to your bank and ask to see a notary. Sign the letter in front of them, and have them notarize it.

Congratulations. It is now an affadavit.

 

[cbrunny]

How has no one asked... how much are you selling for?

How much are you selling for?