“Authentication” wasn’t a word you heard in the sports collectibles market years ago. The monetary value of an autograph was so limited that there was little reason to think forgeries were widespread. That changed when promoters were willing to pay well-known former players to sign autographs at card shows or private signing sessions. They discovered a sizeable market among fans and collector who were willing to pay for the autograph of a player they might not otherwise have a chance to get.
The new market created another cottage industry: fake autographs.
The thirst for signed items of baseball legends led to what became known as the FBI’s Operation Bullpen, which targeted the largest forgery ring in history that had sprung up and was pushing hundreds of thousands of convincing fakes into the hobby. The perpetrators were making a lot of money until agents came calling.
Not long after it was over, the autograph authentication business began booming. While still an imperfect science, the number of forgeries has been curtailed. Fans can now buy autographs examined by experts and determined to likely be genuine. Memorabilia companies now conduct private and public signings, which leads to witnessed authentication.
Authentication Companies
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most widely-known authenticators.
PSA/DNA, the Southern California-based company, examines and authenticates more items than 
any other authenticator. Established in the 1990s, PSA/DNA is part of Collector’s Universe. PSA grades and authenticates sports cards while autographed memorabilia flows through PSA/DNA.
SGC Authentic is known for grading and authenticating trading cards but also has an authentication division, allowing fans and collectors to submit items.
James Spence Authentication, or “JSA”, founded by former dealer James Spence, is also a long-time evaluator of sports autographs.
Beckett Authentication is a division of the company that originally made its name from producing price guide publications. Beckett eventually moved on to sports card grading and authentication and recently opened an autograph authentication division as well.
Memorabilia Companies
Larger companies such as TriStar Productions, SportsMemorabilia.com and Steiner Sports have numerous athletes, including several MLB players, under exclusive contracts to sign memorabilia. While they don’t authenticate signed items from other sources, like something you obtained at a game, memorabilia autographed in their presence will carry their authentication, in the form of a hologram, certificate or both.
Fanatics, for example, has several members of the World Series champion Chicago Cubs under exclusive contracts, including Kris Bryant.
Current baseball trading cards from companies like Topps and Panini, of course, have certified autographs.
This isn’t to be considered an exhaustive list, by any means, but these are some of the more prominent authentication brands to look for when adding to your autograph collection.
Instant Market
Having items authenticated or purchasing items at a private signing can be expensive. eBay does offer opportunities to shop for signed, authentic baseball memorabilia in an open marketplace without having to incur those costs or wait for your items to be examined and returned.
Click here to shop for autographed baseball memorabilia on eBay.