On May 8, 2009, one of our associates contacted Roger Epperson. He wanted to discuss some pieces that he had, and his desire to have Roger Epperson certify them. He did not know Roger Epperson. Roger Epperson did not know him. He did not use any references from others. He just told Roger Epperson that he had heard he "was the man" to go to. No more. No less. They were just two complete strangers conducting business.
He made up a name that coincided with the last name of a friend's bank card. All Roger Epperson really knew about him was that he could charge that bank card for any reports he issued.
During one of their conversations, he told Roger Epperson that he had several items that had certificates from Chris Morales. Epperson told him that he could not comment on Morales' work, as he was going to be a witness for the opposing side in a case involving Morales. Subsequently, in spite of this, he said the Morales was "the w***e of the industry. He never fails anything. Just send him a check and he sends you a cert." He also referred to Morales as a "total incompetent" and said that he never bothers to even examine anything with Morales' certificate, he just automatically fails the piece.
Ironically, Roger Epperson then said that he would deny these statements if the conversation was being taped. Although his words seem harsh, a review of other postings on the internet indicate that Roger Epperson has similar things to say about the vast majority of the individuals who do authentication.
Considering the comments that Roger Epperson made, we decided to have one of our associates contact Chris Morales and see if we could get him to authenticate the pieces featured in this story. To see if what Roger Epperson said was true or not, we told Chris Morales that the pieces were part of a large collection. We indicated that the owner had held a major position at a record company, and that all of his items were signed in person. We told him we wanted to send a few pieces at a time, and that there was definitely more to come.
A few days after receiving the pieces mentioned in this story, our associate contacted Chris Morales to see how the pieces were coming along. He informed our associate that he had not issued the certificates yet, but that all of the pieces had failed. Our associate expressed his surprise and reiterated the original provenance. This did not seem to sway Chris Morales.
Our associate asked him to provide detailed reports to support his findings, which he did. We independently confirmed the information he gave us, which became the basis for this story.
After receiving the reports, our associate contacted Chris Morales again, informing him of the statements that Roger Epperson had made concerning him, and told him that Roger Epperson had passed all of the pieces. When given the chance to respond to Roger Epperson's remarks, he declined, stating that he did not believe in engaging in the type of conversation that seems so prevalent in this industry. Instead, he said that he would let his reports and Roger Epperson's reports stand on their own.
The information contained in this story certainly indicates that Roger Epperson should not be the one throwing stones.
Our associate sent a number of items to Epperson, including a Lynyrd Skynyrd One More From the Road album, a Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks album, The New York Dolls' In Too Much Too Soon and New York Dolls album covers, Metallica's Kill 'Em All and Master of Puppets album covers, and Niggaz With Attitude's N.W.A.and the Posse album cover.
During the authentication process, our associate exchanged emails and had several phone conversations with Roger Epperson.
All of the listed albums passed and were certified by Roger Epperson. During the conversations, Roger Epperson told him that "you can sell these at any auction house in the world with my certificates."
Unfortunately for collectors, Roger Epperson's statement about his certificates is accurate. In addition to his own business, Signed Sealed & Delivered, he authenticates the musical memorabilia for both James Spence Authentication (JSA) and PSA/DNA. Phone calls to both companies confirmed this. Additionally, Roger Epperson is a former PSA/DNA staff member and his name appears on a significant number of PSA/DNA certificates. As a result, Roger Epperson's work can be found, among other places, at:
ABC Autographs - Jim Pavlish
lan Gutterman
American Memorabilia
B & E Collectibles
Broadway Rick's Strike Zone
Clean Sweep Auctions EAC Gallery
eBay
Fusco Auctions
Geppi's Memorabilia Roadshow Auction
Gotta Have It
Heritage Auctions
Hollywood Collectibles
Huggins & Scott Auctions
Hunt Auctions
Premier Auctions Online
Robert Edward Auctions
R&R Auction
SCP Auctions
Sotheby's
Vintage Authentics
The results that our associate and others have gotten when they have employed Roger Epperson's services certainly question why the auction houses and any of the above-listed companies would use Roger Epperson's services. It certainly seems to defy logic.
Each of the albums that were sent to Roger Epperson will be discussed separately.
Lynyrd Skynyrd:
The Lynyrd Skynyrd One More From the Road album was certified as having been signed by Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson, Gary Rossington, Ed King and Allen Collins.
FRONT COVER
BACK COVER
INSIDE COVER
Interestingly enough, examination of the album cover reveals not one, but two signatures of Artimus Pyle. It gives the impression that someone was practicing Pyle's signature. Why wasn't he mentioned on the certificate? Did Roger Epperson miss the two signatures when he "examined" the album?
Furthermore, when he looked at his exemplars, what did he have that would have indicated Leon Wilkeson actually spelled his name "Wilkenson", as it appears to be on the album, and is printed on Roger Epperson's cert?
Roger Epperson has stated, in writing, that "what you do when determining if an autograph is authentic or not, you compare them to known exemplars. Usually between 12-25 known exemplars is sufficient sometimes maybe less but never none at all..."
Does this mean that Roger Epperson has 12-15 Lynyrd Skynyrd exemplars with Leon Wilkeson spelled Leon Wilkenson?
Nevertheless, Roger Epperson issued the report. He charged the bank card our associate had given him.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD CERTIFICATE
SEX PISTOLS:
The two photos below are of the Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols album cover and the certificate from Roger Epperson. Epperson passed it. Once again, he charged the bank card.
There does not seem to be anything unusual about the album. Its relevance will become more significant shortly.
FRONT COVER
SEX PISTOLS CERTIFICATE
NEW YORK DOLLS:
Next up are the two New York Dolls albums. As the below photos indicate, the last name in Johnny Thunders signature on the In Too Much Too Soon album cover is virtually invisible.
FRONT COVER, TOO MUCH TOO SOON
JOHNNY THUNDERS SIGNATURE ON TOO MUCH TOO SOON COVER
TOO MUCH TOO SOON CERTIFICATE
NEW YORK DOLLS DEBUT ALBUM
NEW YORK DOLLS DEBUT ALBUM CERTIFICATE
Roger Epperson told our associate that he had only seen Johnny Thunders signature once before. With that fact, once can only question what exemplar base Roger Epperson used. His own words and logic answer the question. He said that your Sid Vicious is real, so your Johnny Thunders has to be real.
Only seen one Johnny Thunders signature? Isnt this the same Roger Epperson who stated, in writing, that what you do when determining if an autograph is authentic or not, you compare them to known exemplars. Usually between 12-25 known exemplars is sufficient sometimes maybe less but never none at all...
Does this mean that Roger Epperson has 12-15 New York Dolls exemplars, with Johnny Thunders signature, that match this signature that is practically invisible?
Now, consider the logic he said he applied. Two distinct individuals. Two distinct bands. Never mind that one of the signatures is not completely visible. If one is real, the other must be. And remember, he said his certificates will be accepted at any auction house in the world.
Both of these albums were purchased from a vendor at a flea market in Baltimore.
Regardless of the aforementioned facts, Roger Epperson issued the report. Yet again, he charged the bank card.
METALLICA:
Next up is Metallica. Steve Cyrkin, publisher of Autograph Magazine, has referred to Roger Epperson as one of the worlds two pre-eminent Metallica experts. This is his specialty. He bills himself as a music expert, but he really excels at Metallica.
Ironically, Steve Cyrkin was given an advance copy of this story, and was given the opportunity to run it in Autograph Magazine. Apparently, he did not view it as news. After reading the material, he described Roger Epperson in an email as one of the legitimate autograph hobby's protectors.
Are we supposed to believe that, if Steve Cyrkin had information like this about anyone who was not one of his cronies or an advertiser in Autograph Magazine, the story would not end up in his publication? Sadly, the reality is he has run much more defamatory pieces, with far less evidence, on others. Apparently, the protection that is going on is not of collectors, but of Steve Cyrkins cronies and advertisers.
According to Autograph Magazine, Autograph magazinealso screens dealers and auctions it allows to advertise and seriously responds to complaints by collectors. This statement sounds great, but Steve Cyrkins actions indicate this does not apply when the complaint is against a member of his team.
Steve Cyrkin has had no problem finding space to run glowing stories on what he considers Roger Epperson's expertise. He has even found space for "Top 10 Rockin' Buys by Roger Epperson" (Aril 2008). This seems to be the only stroy about Roger Epperson Steve Cyrkin has not been able to find any room for in Autograph Magazine.
KILL 'EM ALL ALBUM COVER SIGNED BY CLIFF BURTON 22 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH
KILL 'EM ALL ALBUM 2008 BACK COVER
KILL 'EM ALL CERTIFICATE
The three photos above are of the first of the two Metallica albums that Roger Epperson certified for our associate, the Kill 'Em All album cover. The album bears the signatures of Cliff Burton and Lars Ulrich.
Once again, one has to ask what exemplars Roger Epperson used to certify this album. Why? Because this album is a re-release. The photo below is a detailed shot of the back of the album. It was released in 2008.
Isn't this the same Roger Epperson who has stated, in writing, that "what you do when determining if an autograph is authentic or not, you compare them to known exemplars. Usually between 12-25 known exemplars is sufficient sometimes maybe less but never none at all..."
Does this mean that Roger Epperson has 12-15 Metallica exemplars with Cliff Burton signatures that match this piece?
How can that be?
Cliff Burton died on September 27, 1986.
How can a dead man sign an album released after his death? Doesn't Roger Epperson know that albums are released and re-released at various times? Doesn't he check that?
How could Roger Epperson not have checked the release date to know the album was released 22 years after Cliff Burton died?
Isn't he the Metallica expert?
DETAIL KILL 'EM ALL ALBUM 2008 BACK COVER
This album was purchased from the same vendor at the same flea market in Baltimore.
Once again, Roger Epperson issued the report. He charged the bank card.
Next Mettalica Album:
MASTER OF PUPPETS ALBUM COVER SIGNED BY CLIFF BURTON 22 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH
MASTER OF PUPPETS ALBUM BACK COVER
DETAIL OF MASTER OF PUPPETS ALBUM BACK COVER
World-leading Metallica expert Roger Epperson also passed this Metallic album, Master of Puppets album, as being signed by Cliff Burton.
Yet again, one has to ask what exemplars Roger Epperson used to certify this album. Why? Because this album, like the other Metallica album, is a re-release. The photo below is a detailed shot of the back of the album. It was re-released in 2008.
Isn't this the same Roger Epperson who has stated, in writing, that "what you do when determining if an autograph is authentic or not, you compare them to known exemplars. Usually between 12-25 known exemplars is sufficient sometimes maybe less but never none at all..."
Does this mean that Roger Epperson has 12-15 Metallica exemplars with Cliff Burton signatures that match this piece? How can that be?
Cliff Burton died on September 27, 1986.
Once again, how can a dead man sign an album? Haven't we heard this question before?
How could Roger Epperson not have checked the release date to know the album was released 22 years after Cliff Burton died?
Isn't he the Metallica expert?
Yet again, Roger Epperson issued the report. Once again, he charged the bank card our associate had given him.
There seems to be a pattern developing here. Roger Epperson certifies albums with practically invisible signatures. Roger Epperson certifies albums signed by dead men. He charges bank cards for his services.
Even worse, he offered to buy all of these albums, to sell at his Signed, Sealed & Delivered website.
Only one of the albums can be described as anything other than questionable. Most of them are undeniably forgeries.
How could this be?
Wait, there's more.
Next N.W.A. Signed Album:
N.W.A. AND THE POSSE ALBUM COVER
These last two images are of Niggaz With Attitude's hip hop N.W.A. and the Posse album cover, featuring the signatures of Eazy-E, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
This album was bought from the same vendor at the same flea market in Baltimore as the practically invisible New York Dolls signatures and Metallica albums.
Roger Epperson confided in our associate that he just did not know about the NWA album, as he did not have any exemplars. He asked our associate where he got it. Our associate lied. He told Roger Epperson that he had gotten it signed in person. After hearing this, Roger Epperson said he "would take care of it if you had it signed in person."
Roger Epperson issued the report. He charged the bank card.
Isn't this the same Roger Epperson who has stated, in writing, that "what you do when determining if an autograph is authentic or not, you compare them to known exemplars. Usually between 12-25 known exemplars is sufficient sometimes maybe less but never none at all..."
Isn't this the same Roger Epperson who referred to another individual as a w***e who would certify anything for a paycheck?
Didn't Roger Epperson just do just that very thing when he issued a certificate based upon a made-up story from a complete stranger with a bank card? What was he basing his "examination" on? The bank card's availability? The bank card's expiration date?
On one of his own websites, Roger Epperson states that his "fees are from $75 to $150 for a written letter of authentication. Item must be sent to me with insured return postage included. I will study the item and give a written and signed letter of my determination."
What is he studying if he has passed albums signed by dead men, after their deaths? What is he studying if he passes albums with signatures that are virtually invisible? What is he studying if he passes an album that he acknowledged having no exemplars for comparison? What is he studying if he passes albums with names misspelled? What is he studying if he passes albums based on the made-up stories of a complete stranger using an alias?
Is he studying the expiration date of the bank card?
Business Practices Questioned:
One possible answer for some of these questions is Roger Epperson's established business practices. Another business associate of ours visited Roger Epperson in Texas at his place of business. This individual brought more than one dozen pieces with him for Roger Epperson's review. The associate indicated that Roger Epperson flipped through the entire collection in less than one minute. He flipped through them like one would "shuffle a deck of cards." No exemplars. No equipment. He failed all but one piece. Roger Epperson said the Mamas and the Papas piece was real. Once again, without any equipment. Without any exemplars. Mere seconds per piece.
Once again, isn't this the same Roger Epperson who has stated, in writing, that "what you do when determining if an autograph is authentic or not, you compare them to known exemplars. Usually between 12-25 known exemplars is sufficient sometimes maybe less but never none at all..."