BW Unlimited — The Gold Standard in Authentic Charity Auction Items
A Serious Warning to Charities, Nonprofits, and Fundraising Professionals
If you are sourcing items for a charity auction, silent auction, live auction, or benefit gala, you need to be aware that some vendors fill their catalogs with “exclusive” autographs backed only by their own in-house “forensic” certificates. These items often never appear in PSA/DNA, JSA, Beckett, MLB, Fanatics, or MeiGray public databases yet are marketed as rare and high value.
Your nonprofit’s reputation is at stake every time you put an item in front of donors. Understanding real autograph authentication and avoiding “house-authenticated” inventory is essential for protecting both your mission and your supporters.
What Real Autograph Authentication Looks Like
In the legitimate memorabilia and charity fundraising auction industry, only independent, third-party authenticators are recognized.
PSA/DNA
Tamper-evident hologram, unique certification number, and public database lookup.
JSA (James Spence Authentication)
Respected third-party verification, Basic or Full Letter of Authenticity, and searchable database.
Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)
Widely used by auction houses, offers witnessed signings and public lookup.
MLB Authentication
League-run, on-site authenticators with public verification records.
Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA)
Exclusive athlete contracts, serialized holograms, and public database matching.
Fanatics Authentic
Serialized holograms with QR code for direct public verification.
If your auction item is not verified by one of these names with a tamper-evident hologram, a unique serial number, and a public database match, it is not industry-standard authentication.
Red Flags of “House-Authenticated” Charity Auction Items
If you see any of these warning signs, you should proceed with extreme caution.
1. Selling Price Far Below Retail for Authenticated, Non–Game-Worn Jerseys
Official retail price benchmarks are as follows. Michael Jordan autographed jersey from Upper Deck Authenticated is about $14,999.99. Kobe Bryant autographed jersey from Upper Deck Authenticated is about $26,718.99. LeBron James autographed jersey from Upper Deck Authenticated is between $13,999.99 and $14,999.99. Tom Brady autographed jersey from Fanatics Authentic is between $2,399.99 and $2,799.99. These legends do not offer special charity-only signings at a drastically reduced price. If the pricing is significantly lower and there is no independent authentication, it is a major red flag.
2. Endless Supply of Deceased Signers
In the authentic memorabilia market, supply is finite after a signer’s death. Seeing unlimited Muhammad Ali or Kobe Bryant signatures for years is unrealistic.
3. Identical Multi-Signed Items in Bulk
Coordinating multiple celebrity signatures is rare. Seeing identical multi-signed items in large quantities is suspicious.
4. Exclusivity to One Seller
Authentic memorabilia is sold through multiple dealers and auction houses. If one vendor is the only source, it is highly unusual.
5. Authentication Done in a Warehouse
Legitimate authentication is independent and not conducted in a seller’s own storage room.
6. COAs With No Independent Public Lookup
Verification numbers must be confirmed through an independent, recognized authenticator. If the verification number works only on the seller’s own site, it is not valid.
7. Identical Signature Patterns
Autopen or pre-print reproductions are identical. Real autographs have natural variations in stroke, angle, and pressure.
8. No Photo Proof of Signing
High-value authentic memorabilia should come with photo or video proof of the signing.
The 60-Second Verification Rule
Before accepting a consignment auction item:
Locate the hologram and certification number on the item.
Verify it through one of the recognized independent authenticator websites.
Confirm the details match exactly including signer, item type, and description.
If the lookup is on the seller’s own website, it is not independent authentication.
Recognized independent authenticator websites include: PSA/DNA at psacard.com/cert, JSA at spenceloa.com/verify-authenticity, Beckett at beckett-authentication.com/verify-certificate, MLB at mlb.com/authentication, Upper Deck Authenticated at upperdeckstore.com/authentication and Fanatics Authentic at fanaticsauthentic.com/Authentication.
Why BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising Is the Most Trusted Source
For nearly two decades, BW Unlimited has been the go-to provider for authentic charity auction items, charity sports memorabilia, benefit auction items, silent auction items, live auction items, and charity travel packages.
We have 18 years of proven service to nonprofits nationwide, the highest Google reviews among consignment auction providers, and a background in law enforcement and the United States Marine Corps that ensures integrity above profit.
We provide photo proof of signings whenever possible, often with our team personally present, and offer only items independently authenticated by PSA/DNA, JSA, Beckett, MLB, Upper Deck Authenticated, Fanatics Authentic, or MeiGray. All of our consignment auction items are risk-free with zero upfront cost to your organization.
Protect Your Event and Your Donors
Your nonprofit’s reputation is priceless. Do not risk it on questionable “house-authenticated” memorabilia. Work with the gold standard provider trusted by charities, schools, hospitals, and foundations nationwide.
Learn more about our process and our commitment to authenticity here: BW Unlimited Gold Standard Authentication Guarantee
