Elvis Autograph on Paul Lichter Book

WOW,

thanks for this PEP

But this is uncalled for people know beforehand and ask stupid questions knowing very well the answer so people like you have your day with this man.

I don't think it's fair to suggest DavidTCB1 posted his question already knowing the answer, just to people could have a go at Paul Lichter. It seemed like a genuine post to me.

I've never had dealings with Paul, but am aware of his reputation.

As for UF, and others, I've never found their advice, or opinion, to be anything other than honest and well intentioned.

To be fair, the examples PEP has posted only prove the signature to be fake, in my opinion - none of the genuine sigs he posted bear anything other than a passing resemblance to the one on the book.

Typical Lichter

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Gotcha, I didn't know it was on every copy as I don't go out of my way to buy the Lichter books - there were just a couple in the collection I bought. Never considered that it would be printed on the books given the fact that it didn't look authentic to me in the beginning. So, not only was it not actually signed, the reproduction is not even of a real EP signature. Typical Lichter I agree.

At least lets have the full quote, otherwise it's not a fair representation. Otherwise, I could just post a partial quote from PEP's answer, perhaps

a very good forgery

but it doesn't really mean what he said.

However, "Typical Lichter" is probably a fair representation of Pauls reputation. Overcharging, poor deals and an overblown sense of his friendship with Elvis. His claim to have the last autograph of Elvis', as he had a package signed for on the 16th Aug was an especially crass piece of self publication.

I've never bought anything from him personally, so I don't really have a handle on his pricing, etc. I think it's been pretty standard thought over the years that things were over-priced. There are others guilty of that too, so again, I can't say.

I don't think David was being un-necessarily harsh on Paul there, do you? I don't think the original post was a set up, and again, I don't think UF is mistaken in his opinion of both the autograph, or the person.

Last edited by Steve_M on Sun May 27, 2007 7:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

In Holland we call him: 'Paul Oplichter' - freetranslated: Paul the Conmen...

I've had a look at his website again - i wish i knew how to post pics here. He's selling autographs that I will certainly agree have all been signed by the same person - but that person was certainly not Elvis.

There's a 1969 vegas menu for $4000 signed in gold pen, along with lots of others that were signed "by my friend Elvis".

Unbelievable.

Hello all...

Bought a life long collector's entire collection recently. In the lot was the Paul Lichter book, "Elvis In Hollywood." On the back cover is a written message: "To Paul...I like this one best. Elvis Presley" The scan is below...anyone think this may be legit? The book came out in 76 I believe. That's all I know about the history of the item. I bought the collection from the daughter of the collector (who died recently) and she knows nothing of its history either.

Thanks!
David

Well knowing who paul Lichter is, I will say that this is FAKE, for sure. Paul Lichter himself is MR. FAKE. An a***ole faking everything.

You guys better stop picking on Paul.....you're going to get JLGB upset....and you know what happens when JLGB gets upset....don't you?.........he hids under the bed.......who wants that on their conscience?

He's not hiding under his bed. You should be ashamed for saying such a thing. Truth be known, he's got his headphones on right now listening over and over to Elvis singing, "Trying To Get To Hughes."

Truth be known, he's got his headphones on right now listening over and over to Elvis singing, "Trying To Get To Hughes."

Yep and Raised On Rock with a FEEL not FEAR.

The original post was not meant as a "set up" of any kind. It was a legitimate search for an opinion, and like most every other post I've been involved with on this site, ended up being a petty argument. Kinda sorry I asked...hard to get a simple answer around here without everyone coming out of the woodwork swinging their rods.

It's a tough one, the signature does have some
merit in my opinion or just a very good forgery

PEP, I have studied Elvis's handwriting for a long time, and have even evaluated autographed Elvis pieces for most of the Major auction houses (When they actually care whether or not it's real), and I can tell you, with absoutely NO DOUBT or reservation, that this is NOT Elvis's handwriting, and not a good forgery either. For the most obvious way to tell this is fake, I would tell you to notice with the autograph examples that you posted that Elvis generally clearly defined the "resle" is Presley, this is commonly lost in forgeries (as in this one).

You may point out that the "yours Elvis Presley" signature you posted in red does not show this charachteristic, and indeed it doesn't, but it IS authentic. I would wager you that this signature is on the back of a sun publicity photo and was obtained between Sept 55 and Jan 56, Elvis seemed to like signing with red pen during this period.

The reason that signature doesn't have a clearly defined "resle" is that it is a thin piece of paper that was probably signed in a hurry on a poor writing surface (like the palm of Elvis's hand or someone's back), but this signature also has definitive Presley charachteristics, the shape, flow, and relative proportion of the letters, that the Lichter signature, which is forced, deliberate, and awkward, does not have. Compare closely the words "like" and "one" in the samples you posted and you will notice that the writing is in fact VERY dissimilar to Elvis's handwriting.

The original post was not meant as a "set up" of any kind. It was a legitimate search for an opinion, and like most every other post I've been involved with on this site, ended up being a petty argument. Kinda sorry I asked...hard to get a simple answer around here without everyone coming out of the woodwork swinging their rods.

I am sorry. Not intended really for you but there are some posters that are sometimes useful for everyone but many times really useless Imo..but they might think that people really like to listen to the same scratched record repeating over and over and over....This is a big place here..easy to get out of people's way if you don't like them. Or In my case if they do not like me....

I appreciate it JLGB....You are correct though, some of the folks are on here to argue about the most ridiculous things that mean nothing and usually are so far off topic it's not funny. It shouldn't be a contest of "here's what I know and you don't" but a place to discuss the reason we are all here - Elvis - that's the common thread. Of course, so many people have lost common courtesy and sense these days, nothing surprises me anymore. Thank you for the sensible reply.

Last edited by Steve_M on Sun May 27, 2007 7:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I appreciate it JLGB....You are correct though, some of the folks are on here to argue about the most ridiculous things that mean nothing and usually are so far off topic it's not funny. It shouldn't be a contest of "here's what I know and you don't" but a place to discuss the reason we are all here - Elvis - that's the common thread. Of course, so many people have lost common courtesy and sense these days, nothing surprises me anymore. Thank you for the sensible reply.

No problem. I had an autograph dream (really!) and in the dream ..some friends and I are in some fair or bazar with ferris wheel etc..and in the middle of the crowd there is ELVIS! (I was a kid in the dream in the 70s) and he is signing away like in the home movies on the movie sets etc..and one of my kid friends somehow breaks through the crowd and I can see him coming with a piece of paper or something waving it with a big grin and of course I am thinking wow!!! He got one!! But all of a sudden a guy from nowhere really tall snatches it from my friend and with a look of disgust tells all of us surrounding (by now) kids...one word. FAKE!!!

dream or nightmare? haha

david

I'm not really sure why the sig would be a fake... I have this book and as it was released and sold before Elvis' death... I never really considered that it could be fake... looks pretty real to me. Regardless of Paul's rep... this is an excellent book with repro's of all Elvis' movie posters and some great pictures to boot. I don't remember what it cost at the time... probably because I was 7... but the book is worth having. I'll have to dig it out... I remember it has a beautiful color pic of Elvis from June 1973 at the front wearing a gold scarf... I remember that one because I pulled it out of the book and framed it... WHAT AN IDIOT!!!!

The autograph and the inscription are fake....this information is directed at those who think it's real. They are the reason people like Paul Lichter remain is business. Did you know Paul is basically afraid to answer his phone.....that he screens every call....did you hear that?.....he screens EVERY TELEPHONE CALL........and if he recognizes a number......he has call display....that would connect him to someone who is not happy with him.....he will let his answering machine pick up the call......If.....one the other hand you are just some poor schmuck looking to spend some money......he will pickup the phone as you are leaving your name and number on his answering machine. That's how he operates......JLGB......I assume you answer your phone at home like a normal person....it rings......you answer. Not your friend Pauly boy......The internet and more correctly this mb allows us to venture forth information that can assist our fellow collectors. Guys like Lichter use to pretty much have the ability to run wild and on a worldwide basis. But with the internet.....news of their activites travel quickly. Lichters reputation is soiled and sullied.....he continues to sell fake autographs on his website.....and some here aren't atuned to those facts. That's how guys like Lichter stay in business....the uninformed........the believers......One more thing JLGB.....your man Paul reads this messge board on a regular basis......long before you got here....he even posted on here.....under the name appollo....he doesn't post here anymore.....but you can bet your ass he still visits to read the posts.....I have nothing positive to say to him or about him......how about you?...........uf

Every single thing posted above by UF is correct.

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Lichter has a hero's torso, but a cowards legs. He has had to hire bodyguards at large Elvis functions to protect him from fans (& even MMM's) who would like to kick his posterior ............ for all of the things he has done to others his entire existence.

The guy, ironically, has a lot to offer The EP World, if he just weren't so damm crooked. This also is one reason he is so good at what he does.

Lichter is a cancer on The EP World that older fans have been able to develop an immunity to with exposure; he is only a threat to new / novice / ignorant fans.

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