Here, There, And Everywhere: The beginning stages of building a coherent collection (Part One: My First Big Purchase 2011)

By Adam Halloran

Apr 24, 2018

I have what I would call a "nostalgic wonderment" of the music that came out during the 1960's and 70's, and while I also grew up with both new wave and grunge music (I am turning 35)--nothing comes close to that gg..gg..generation for me!

I would say (especially with) that of my two favorite groups: The Beatles and The Beach Boys, who are in my opinion, the two greatest bands  to come out from their era and also from across each side of their respective side of the "pond".

The Beatles/Beach Boys rivaled one another and pushed each others talent and creativity level hand over hand, especially in their most creative years from 1965 through 67.

The Beatles album Rubber Soul brought us The Beach Boys album Pet Sounds (ranked #2 on Rolling Stone Magazines 100 greatest records list) and "Good Vibrations" and with that also came The Beatles "Strawberry Fields Forever" and of course Sgt. Pepper (The #1 greatest album on that same list). I knew something had already struck a note inside me in my early childhood years listening to their songs come on the radio. I was glued to their timeless sounds and the endless harmonies weaving itself eternally in my ears.

That love of this time was the foundation on where I wanted to start when building my collection, but knowing that was the easy part. While I haven't been at this as long as others, I have seen many collectors who diversify their autograph collections with many examples of both new and old artists.

I am not knocking it, everyone has something that they are passionate about, I however wanted to stay inside the groove like a needle on a record. Why buy 50 pieces that take up space from one hit wonders I might even forget in a year, when I could have one from a legend? That was my thought.

I would like to say it should always be quality over quantity, but sometimes one man's trash is anothers treasure. I know I have plenty of treasures I hold dear that others might not quite "get".

When I started my collection years ago, it took some realization on the obstacles that were in my path. It was a mix of hurdles that needed answering before I could dive in and make a purchase. What can I afford, where do I look, how do you know it is authentic? Who should I even trust?

The closest I have personally come to meeting Paul McCartney was a wave and a smile ten feet away from me, as he entered the Nationals Ballpark in DC just a few years back, and I got the bug a little too late to send Ringo Starr fanmail, before he stopped signing (with Peace & Love of course) he did comment on a sign I held at a concert though, so that is something!

I knew that if I wanted to go past simply my love of the music and the records and memorabilia I had already obtained through the years. I would need to learn more about the autograph industry first.

To hold something tactile that one of my musical heroes held and uniquely signed, this was a testament to their very existence in my mind and the history they left behind. However when I was a child my father told me never to get into collecting autographs. Nothing is real!

He told me this, with good reason in his mind I suppose, that unless you saw it signed yourself you never would know if it was signed by that person or not. That had stuck with me, how could I know?!

We have all heard statistics of the great forgery industries and for those who don't take the time to learn or have too much trust in holograms anyone could buy have been fleeced on the likes of eBay and Craigslist, simply cause it came with a coa they just printed. The horror stories are everywhere to be found.

I read about "forensic examination" and thought it was basically what the FBI used to hunt down forgers like on the movie Catch Me If You Can. Luckily the more I read on certain authenticators and companies, it taught me on the scams people were doing on newby collectors. Still, suprisingly, this didn't scare me off.

I looked into companies like PSA/DNA and how they even dabbed the items with synthetic DNA strands to keep track of the items they had authenticated. This seemed futuristic!...And clever!...And a gimmick now when looking back. (...More to that in part 2) However clearly an expert opinion was/is necessary when you don't know what you are looking for in the wilderness of autographs. Yet even authenticators can make mistakes.

I always say you have to do your due diligence when making a purchase. It is your money that you worked hard for, treat the purchase with the understanding that riding on faith alone can leave you in a ditch.

Obviously one of those keys is doing research on your own too for you to feel satisfied with what you now own is authentic. You can't just let some sticker do the only talking, you have to take the time to learn about the nuances of the signer. Don't have any doubts when you hang it on your wall and show your friends.

With my first major purchase I took it simple and it is one I will never let go, my Ringo signed canvas gicclee print titled "Starr" (clever I know) limited to only eight signed canvas pieces existing along with the artists proof .

I purchased this in February of 2011 knowing the company Celebrity Art had an exclusive deal with Ringo in acquiring and selling his computer art that he created while travelling on tour to bide his time on the long road. They even tour with Ringo and the All-Starr band promoting his new works of "art" still to this day at his shows.

I always had a real liking for Ringo because of his sort of "fuck you" attitude while preaching Peace & Love, the duality of his persona and always being associated with being the weakest member of the band, yet writing classics like Octopuses Garden and Don't Pass Me By and how can you doubt his drumming on Rain!?

The other nice thing was knowing that 100% of the proceeds of my purchase would go to the Lotus Foundation charity as well, which didn't really sway my mind in making the purchase, but eased my mind when shelling out the money I suppose.

I find the piece to be akin to how people feel about his drumming ability; basic. However he truly does have a deeper complexity within his style of drumming...Maybe not his art so much! It might not be a picasso, but it is an authentic Ringo!

Adam Halloran

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