Signed Kerry OKeefe 1977 Test Centenary Stamp Set Start Price AUD 50.00 Current Price AUD 50.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price AUD 75.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 16, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Adelaide, South Australia See more about 'Signed Kerry OKeefe 1977 Test Centenary Stamp Set' Description Hi for auction is an Australia Post Test Cricket Centenary 1877-1977 6 stamp set. ORIGINAL SIGNATURE BY KERRY ON THE STAMP SET CLEAR COVER IN PERMANENT BLACK MARKER NUMBERED CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY REGISTERED POST TO YOUR DOOR BUBBLE WRAPPED PACKAGE FREE INSURANCE TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT THE SIGNATURE WAS OBTAINED DURING THE 2007 ODI IN ADELAIDE (AUST V NZ)  THE POSTAGE FEE INCLUDES THE REGISTERED POST COST, THE FREE INSURANCE AND MY HANDLING AND WRAPPING. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN AT THE MOMENT ON EBAY THERE ISN'T ANYTHING LIKE THIS AT ALL! Please read the following as it may assist you in buying autographed items.   Autograph collecting is a great hobby, but unfortunately, some unscrupulous users on eBay (and in the wider auction community) are selling forged or otherwise unauthentic autographs.  By following some simple steps, you can minimise your risk and find some very good deals in the process.   Before You Start Buying   Read Description Thoroughly - Make sure that the autograph isn't being described as a preprint, reprint, copy, facsimile, secretarial, stamp, or autopen.  (More on how to identify some of these later).  Remember that signatures do change from time to time, depending on how busy the person is when they sign, what they are signing, if they are walking when signing etc.  Remember just because an item is for sale cheaply doesn't mean it is a fake, it may well mean they are just trying to save on listing fees!   Do Some Research - Search for known examples of signatures on Google or Yahoo! to help protect yourself from forgeries or secretarial autographs.  See if the seller has a close-up of the signature in the auction description.  If there isn't a close-up in the auction, ask for one.  What is the reputation of the seller, on ebay what is their feedback score and what do buyers have to say about them? Where does the person say the signatures came from?  Is it possible that the seller could get the signatures, ie how likely is someone in New Caledonia to have a David Beckham signature to someone in Melbourne having a Shane Warne signature?    Autograph Club Members - You don't have to be a member of club to sell signatures!  Did you know that members of some clubs have actually been expelled because they have sold fakes!  Check the internet for some clubs and will see lists of people who they warn you against buying from.  You don't need to be officially licenced either to sell items.  Most signatures sold are probably from ordinary people like me.  Do you really believe that membership by itself is proof a signature is original?   Certificates of Authenticity (COA) - can be reassuring, as they demonstrate a seller’s guarantee that what you are getting is authentic.   Last cricket season I sold plenty of items with COA's, but this year I am numbering them so my items can be traceable.  I have noted some of my previous items being on-sold with my COA, that's fine as long as there is acknowledgement where the COA came from.   Know the Seller - Check the seller's feedback and history on eBay.  What do others have to say about their merchandise?  How long have they been selling on eBay? Check any previous name changes as well! Do they specialise in one area or sell lots of different things?  Do people have return business?   Money Back Guarantee - Why would someone sell an item as being original and say they will refund if the item is later found not to be original?  If the seller can't be sure it's original do you really want to buy from them?  After some research it may just be that it’s just a marketing technique.  If you sell an item for being original the only refund should be for damage during postage!   Ask Questions - Feel free to ask the seller any questions that you may have about the autograph.  An honest seller will have nothing to hide and should respond to your inquiry.  I have been collecting for years and at any one time would easily have 30 different signatures of cricketers in various stages of preparation for selling (Balls being placed in ballqubes, special edition First Day Covers or bats being framed).  I go to as many international and first class matches as I can, coupled with practice days this means I have a lot of opportunity to get signatures.    After the Sale Analyse the autograph to make sure that it is not a preprint or autopen.   Preprint - mass produced pictures where the signature is part of a photograph and the lack of any ink won’t be seen on the reverse side of the signature!   Autopen - machines that can sign identical autographs quickly and sometimes accurately Since preprinted signatures are part of the photo, the autograph usually appears to be below the surface gloss of the picture.  To test, hold the photo at an angle to a light source.  A real signature is on top of the photo and will have a different level of reflectivity compared to the rest of the picture.  The glare of a preprinted signature will blend right in with the photo.  Autopens usually appear to be shaky because the autopen machine vibrates as it signs.  With an autopen, there will also be abrupt starts and stops to the signature.   What is the only way though you can really guarantee the signature is real though? Ask the person who signed it! however we all know this isn't possible so by following the above steps you will be in a much more comfortable position to buy.  (Thanks to ebay forums and members for some of this advice).   PS You may have noted that ebay has a feature where you can donate to charity.  I have been doing this for years.  In fact, 10% of my sales go toward my 2 children our family sponsor in Africa, Agnes in Kenya (World Vision) and Sherinah in Uganda (Baptist World Aid Australia).  Our original child, Galgao in Kenya (World Vision) hs grown up and no longer requires sponsorship.  Please send me your email address if you want a photo or latest report.  I operate on the basis that as I make money through collecting and selling I should help out those in need.   All the best in your collecting!   Securelyyours   Steve           Place a Bid!