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Any Ditko Experts out there7899

Collector bigjer private msg quote post Address this user
Long story short, I am a distant relative of Ditko. He signed a bunch of comics for me as a Christmas gift many years ago. Sent them to CBCS got denied. I know they are real, I saw him sign the books in Johnstown PA at and aunt and uncle's house. I also have my last letter from him. I wrote to him a few times over the years. Finally I have 2 photos of him at a family wedding. He did not even like his picture taken with family.

I do not blame CBCS for not certifying them, I understand there are few to compare to, and I am pretty sure I am one of the maybe half dozen people he signed books from c. 1970 to his death.

My question is how would any of you proceed with certification/preservation. I would like to keep some of the books in the family, but would be willing to part with a few.
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Collector robertofredrico private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjer
My question is how would any of you proceed with certification/preservation.


Mylars/backboards.
Post 2 IP   flag post
If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
For certification, if CBCS passed on them you're out of luck short of sending them again and hoping they pass. If you want to try again it would be nice to know if CBCS just doesn't have his signature on file or if they actually thought it was a mismatch. OR, maybe you can have a family member write a note or make a certificate saying that they're authentic.

For preservation, mylars and backboards (as @robertofredrico suggested) would be good, or you could have them graded and encapsulated. But both CBCS and CGC will mark down the grade for 'writing on the book' since they can't verify the signatures.
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It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjer
Long story short, I am a distant relative of Ditko. He signed a bunch of comics for me as a Christmas gift many years ago. Sent them to CBCS got denied. I know they are real, I saw him sign the books in Johnstown PA at and aunt and uncle's house. I also have my last letter from him. I wrote to him a few times over the years. Finally I have 2 photos of him at a family wedding. He did not even like his picture taken with family.

I do not blame CBCS for not certifying them, I understand there are few to compare to, and I am pretty sure I am one of the maybe half dozen people he signed books from c. 1970 to his death.

My question is how would any of you proceed with certification/preservation. I would like to keep some of the books in the family, but would be willing to part with a few.


I'd love to see these sigs and pictures you speak of.
Post 4 IP   flag post
I showed my wife and she was so happy for me she started to cry. Batman66 private msg quote post Address this user
Psa/dna can certify Steve Ditko signatures, there in Newport Beach California, or somewhere close. Would love to see the books and pics of Steve.
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I'm good with splotches. Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
I'd love to see them myself. Please do show
Post 6 IP   flag post
Collector bigjer private msg quote post Address this user
here is the last letter and some of my books

his stationary and pictures i would like to keep private until authentication is complete

I have over 500 Ditko/Balaschak family photos Ditko is only in 2 when he signed books for me I asked for a pic with him, he declined I was 13 years old.

hope you enjoy






Post 7 IP   flag post
I'm good with splotches. Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
Would you consider selling one of these?

I've sent you a private message through this Forum
Post 8 IP   flag post
Collector ThorneArt private msg quote post Address this user
Those are terrific, thanks for sharing them!
Post 9 IP   flag post
I showed my wife and she was so happy for me she started to cry. Batman66 private msg quote post Address this user
Wow those are awesome, if you do decide to sell any of the comics, I would love the opportunity to purchase one. Thanks for sharing
Post 10 IP   flag post
COLLECTOR JLS_Comics private msg quote post Address this user
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing those, I too would love to purchase one to have one in my collection
Post 11 IP   flag post
It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
Very special indeed!! Congrats!!
Post 12 IP   flag post
Collector Venomade private msg quote post Address this user
I know he hasn’t done a lot of comic signing but can’t they use the letters as a reference?
Post 13 IP   flag post
Collector Darkseid_of_town private msg quote post Address this user
you have to solidify the letters as legit before you can use them as criteria to validate anything even if they appear as such as these do
Post 14 IP   flag post
Collector bigjer private msg quote post Address this user
I agree about the letters. Thats why I want to keep the letters, photos, his stationary and comics as a lot for certification. I also have the ancestry.com printout showing our relationship. I have done some homework, and I know his signature is rare, but he did sign for family when he would come home to Johnstown. I know I am not the only one, but no one else to my knowledge has shown anyone the books and original art he would give out.

Hence the title of the post. I would like to find a Ditko expert that would be a little more familiar with the material than the average collector/dealer.

Thanks for all of the feedback guys I really appreciate it.
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Collector BrianGreensnips private msg quote post Address this user
@bigjer That is a pretty neat story. I hope you are successful with the certification. It is good to hear thst you are keeping it all together as a whole. Good luck.
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Collector chameleoncolors private msg quote post Address this user
@bigjer hey I have studied Steve and his work plus signature for many years along with stan lee. Dm me and we can talk.
But by the way right off the bat, yes these are authentic. I can give you my reasons and many examples.
Post 17 IP   flag post
Ima gonna steal this and look for some occasion to use it! IronMan private msg quote post Address this user
If you just want to preserve the books you can have any comic grading company grade the books and encapsulate them. The label will say something along the lines of "Steve Ditko written on cover in pen". As opposed to a verified signature, that would say "Signed by Steve Ditko"

If you want the signatures certified, there are other businesses that offer that service. JSA and PSA/DNA is maybe best known. Kevin Segall at Collector's Shangri-La is well regarded.

if you want your books encapsulated by a grading company AND the autograph authenticated by that same grading company, CBCS has already said they cannot verify it. Your choices are to wait a year and try again - maybe they will have more exemplars to study a year from now. Or that other grading company that verifies signatures - PGX. They don't have near as good a reputation in the hobby as CBCS and CGC. But that is your only other grading company choice for a "verified" label.
Post 18 IP   flag post
Collector bigjer private msg quote post Address this user
Thank you all for your input. The process has been a lot of fun. I have learned so much, and am happy to see so many Ditko fans. Just to keep you all up to speed, many of you suggested I reach out to Ditko's editor, Robin Snyder.

In my email I attached photos of my signatures. Snyder replied that he believes they are authentic, and CBCS's reasons for denying them do not hold water.

So I will attempt a round of communication with CBCS, and seek some of the experts you all have mentioned in this strand. I believe that with this email and all other materials I have, they should be authenticated.
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Collector Wraith private msg quote post Address this user
Those few ditko signed marvel milestones are probably more rare than the original asm #1
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