Meet Our Autograph Experts

James J. Spence, Jr. - Lead Authenticator
James Spence has the universal respect and approval of auctioneers, dealers, and collectors worldwide with his accurate authentication expertise. A third generation autograph collector , his knowledge and exposure has its roots in over thirty years of hobby experience. Spence is a 1982 graduate from Iona College of New York with a double major in International Business and French. A New Jersey native, he has opined for virtually every major auction house in the country. World renown auction houses including Sotheby's , eBay , Mastro Auctions , Grey Flannel Auctions , Robert Edward Auctions , Hunt Auctions , Heritage , Upper Deck , Sotheby's - SCP , Huggins & Scott Auctions and many others employ the services of James Spence to insure the legitimacy and affirm the value of their autographed offerings. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of the Treasury (IRS) have depended on Spence as their sports authentication adviser and asked for his assistance during past investigations. Law enforcement and insurance carriers have placed their trust in Spence to assist in their analysis. Mr. Spence has successfully completed certification in Forensic Document Examination. Dealers have also relied on his knowledge, experience and integrity for some of the highest valued, historically significant and rarest signed artifacts in existence. Countless collectors have sought the reassurance that their investments will retain marketability when the time is right to divest of their holdings. It has long been the industry's choice to secure a James Spence Authentication Letter of Authenticity.

Larry Studebaker - Senior Authenticator
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Larry became an avid sports fan and memorabilia collector at the age of seven. He started as a recreational autograph collector in the early 1980's and this turned quickly to an all-consuming obsession later that decade. During the late 1980s and early 1990s he amassed a large collection of autographs primarily obtained in-person. From 1995 through 2003 Larry was an autograph dealer both through the internet and on the New England show circuit. Prior to joining JSA, Larry spent four years at Sportsworld in Saugus, Massachusetts. It is during his time at Sportsworld that he sharpened his skill by gaining invaluable experience with autographs from all fields and eras. Larry's main interest is modern autographs but he has a deep appreciation for the history of sports, entertainment and politics. Although he is no longer a dealer, he still is an avid collector. Larry still has passion for obtaining new autographs after twenty-five years of collecting. Larry has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies with a minor in Business Administration from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.

James J. Spence, III - Authenticator
A fourth generation autograph collector, James J. Spence III, has been exposed to autographs his entire life. While growing up, he consistently did the national show circuit with his father. This experience provided him with a great working knowledge of autographs and the hobby. He began working full time for JSA following his graduation from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Finance and Economics. His passion for autographs and knowledge of the industry has made him a valuable member of the JSA staff.

Wade Hampton - Authenticator
Wade has spent his life dedicated to sports. In his youth, he started collecting cards and then autographs, thru the mail, in-person and on the Midwestern show circuit. Wade then spent years working in all aspects of the hobby, including retail sales, signings both public and private while at the same time amassing a large and varied collection of autographs and game used memorabilia. He is a graduate of Lindenwood University with a BA in History and MA in Education. Wade continues his passion for autographs as a valuable member of the JSA Authentication staff.

Bob Eaton - Field of Expertise: Entertainment
Bob took a simple hobby and grew it into a highly successful and respected autograph business. Fascination with, and respect for, history was a natural cornerstone to his eventual, and continued, study of signatures. As sole proprietor of R&R Enterprises, he grew his one-man, one room operation into a professionally-staffed office which, to date, has published over 325 consecutive monthy catalogs. Today, with over 25 years in business, Bob is well established as one of the foremost authenticators in the autograph industry.

Mike Gutierrez - Field of Expertise: Vintage Baseball
Specializing in sports Mike is the foremost autograph authenticator of sports memorabilia, and many serious buyers consider his approval a requisite to their sports autograph purchases. With over twenty years experience, Mike has earned an unsurpassed level of trust in a field that has seen fraud and forgeries tarnish its reputation. Through his knowledge and professional affiliations, Mike takes pride in working to preserve and enhance the integrity of the sports memorabilia market. His respect and influence is best measured by the added value his endorsement brings to items he authenticates. For this reason, Mike's services have been sought by both private collectors and professional concerns worldwide.

Kip Ingle - Field(s) of Expertise: Golf/Baseball
Kip Ingle, consultant, brings to James Spence Authentication, LLC a wealth of experience in the autograph industry. At the age of seven Kip began obtaining in-person autographs, even choosing to attend college in Florida, in part to be near numerous golf tournaments and spring training to obtain signatures. Following graduation, he spent 10 years in front office sports management with the New York Yankees as editor of their team publications and with the St. Louis Cardinals as the team's Director of Public Relations. Currently Kip is involved with professional golf management through his company Kip Ingle & Associates. Throughout the year Kip staffs numerous golf tournaments where he is involved with various aspects of tournament operations. While at these tournaments he is actively involved in obtaining golf autographs and monitoring signature tendencies of the sports biggest stars. The place to find Kip in April is at Augusta National where, since 1993, he has been a regular along the rail of the driving range pursing his passion: Masters Champion's autographs. Each summer, Kip is employed by the United States Golf Association to use his professional sports management skills in tournament operations for the U.S. Open. Through the years Kip Ingle has gained the trust of countless veteran collectors and auction houses in the sports autograph and memorabilia industry.

Tom Kramer - Field of Expertise: Vintage Hollywood/Entertainment
Tom Kramer, consultant, has been a collector of vintage Hollywood/entertainment autographs for over two decades. For the past 17 years, he has been the owner of Golden Age Autographs, one of the few autograph dealerships specializing in vintage entertainment. His article on collecting Hollywood autographs appears in the 6th edition of "The Sanders Price Guide to Autographs" published in 2003. He is also the author of a signature study on Bette Davis and contributed additional signature studies to the authentication website, www.isitreal.com

John Reznikoff - Field of Expertise: Historical/Political
Historical and political autographs and documents are the specialty of John Reznikoff, latest consultant addition to the JSA authentication staff. John has been a stamp, card and autograph collector since the age of 8, became a dealer by the age of 13, and started his own business The University Stamp Co. - while in college. Now as founder of University Archives, a leading document and manuscript firm in Westport Connecticut, John has become a renowned authenticator of all things political and historical. John served as an expert witness in numerous criminal and civil trials for the US Department of Justice; he also has expertise in items related to the Space & Aviation arena. He is a published author for nationally circulated magazines and has been taped by Good Morning America, Newsweek, CNN, and ESPN to name a few for his expertise and experience. We are proud to have John on our team.

Roger Epperson - Field of Expertise: Music
Music industry autograph authenticator, collector and expert Roger Epperson, has an extensive background as a full-time dealer in the collectibles industry. Roger is the only dealer in the world that deals exclusively in music related autographed collectibles. This narrowed focus has established him as a valued, and trusted, authenticator for all genres of contemporary music. From Elvis to Pink Floyd to Springsteen, Roger's dedicated research has brought him the recognition that has made him a valuable resource to independent authentication specialists and autograph collectors everywhere.

JD Bardwell - Field of Expertise: Contemporary Entertainment
A native of York, Maine and has been a dealer in contemporary Hollywood autographs for over twenty years. For the past decade, he has been a partner in 'Autograph World, LLC', one of the largest internet based dealers of contemporary autographs. Mr. Bardwell served for over twelve years on the UACC Executive Board and is the creator of the UACC Registered Dealer program. He is also a UACC approved authenticator in the field of contemporary autographs.

Herman Darvick - Field of Expertise: Historical/Political
Charter Member (1965) and President of the Universal Autograph Collectors Club from 1968-1987, longtime editor of “The Pen and Quill,” and recipient of the UACC’s first Lifetime Achievement award (1984), is the author of “Collecting Autographs,” published in 1981 by Messner Books, a division of Simon and Schuster. Herman’s “autograph” article has appeared in Volume 1 of every edition of “World Book” encyclopedia since 1984. He wrote “The Jimmy Carter Philographic Study” and is credited in “Reagan: A Life in Letters” (2003) with discovering that Ronald Reagan’s mother answered much of his fan mail when he was an actor. Herman was an expert witness on autograph authenticity and value for the United States of America in the case of the Estate of Richard Nixon v. United States (1998-2000). Items he has authenticated and sold at his public auctions held from 1985-1995 include Jack Ruby's gun, Judy Garland's last passport, Oscars awarded to John Lennon and Harold Russell, and the first authentic signature of Shoeless Joe Jackson ever sold. He has been interviewed on the subject of autographs by, among others, Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, Bill O'Reilly, Phil Donohue, and Joe Franklin, as well as by the Associated Press, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Yomiuri Shimbun, Der Spiegel, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, CNBC, and other media. Herman and John Reznikoff are co-authors of Chapter 1 “Authentication” of “The Sanders Autograph Price Guide 7th edition” (2009).