Subject:   Forgery Alert

With that said, we are alerting you now to the fact that some particularly dangerous
Russian autographs have made their way into the market. The fact that most of
us cannot decipher the language is a great advantage to a forger. If it looks
Russian often it is taken too much for granted. Inscriptions of Stalin and Lenin
on period books have cropped up on the internet and even have made some big name
auctions. A modus operandi has been to obtain interesting period source material,
such as books and pamphlets, and add a spurious signature and or inscription.
This has been a common theme in American forgery in the last couple of years.
Feathering of the ink is one good sign that the writing was not added to item
80 years ago or more. This is not definitive and there are many genuine books
signed by Russian notables.

Another dangerous forgery has been spotted by Russian specialists. Gagarin ALS's,
many with spectacular content about the first flight, have cropped up. They are
extremely well executed and have fooled some top people.

If you have any questions or have a notice to distribute (content must be cleared
by IADA)please email me.

Yours truly,

John Reznikoff
President University Archives, div. of USC, Inc.
49 Richmondville Ave. Westport, CT 06880John Reznikoff, President IACC/DA
john@universityarchives.com

Scott J. Winslow, Vice President
scott@scottwinslow.com

Stephen Koschal, Executive Director
skoschal@aol.com

Mike Frost, Treasurer

Thomas Kotte, Director of International Relations
info@kotte-autographs.com

Ethics Board
Larry Rosenbaum
eacgal@aol.com
Gil Griggs
editor@signaturehouse.com
Danny Brahms
danbenz@yahoo.com

Bob Raynor, Membership Committee
hcaauction@aol.com

Stuart Lutz, Publications Committee
stuarkkl@aol.com