Update on story! McCartney signature on guitar challenged
BETHEL -- Someone is striking a chord of disharmony. A music industry autograph expert is challenging the authenticity of Paul McCartney's signature on a guitar being offered for auction next month by aBethel church. The milky white Fender Squier electric guitar, along with other celebrity-signed items, were bought by St. Thomas Episcopal Church from CharityGROW, a vendor that sells autographed memorabilia to nonprofits for fundraisers.
Roger Epperson, a music industry autograph authenticator, collector and expert, said Thursday the guitar was not signed by McCartney, who skyrocketed to fame 50 years ago with The Beatles. "This is not authentic. It's a pity and a crime," Epperson wrote in an email to Hearst Connecticut Media. Epperson is a consultant and authenticator for Christie's and Bonhams auction houses in the United Kingdom. He also works for RR Auction, which publishes a monthly catalog with 100 or more autographs, and Heritage Auctions, which auctions entertainment memorabilia four times a year. CharityGROW defended its company by email on Thursday. "Over the past eight years, CharityGROW has helped raise funds for thousands of nonprofit organizations all over the country, all while maintaining a completely spotless record with the Better Business Bureau," the company replied in a statement.
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Source: News Times, Danbury, CT
Photo Credit: Carol Kaliff
