Autograph, How do you know it's real?

[Nano]

I need some help from you guys. I'm not an autograph collector nor an antiques seller, but by chance I found what seems to be a valuable object and don't know exactly what to do.

Some time ago, checking old books in an used book store (which I do frequently), I saw this hardcover edition with no dust jacket. The cover only read "Mingus". I opened it to see if it was a book about Charles Mingus, the renowned jazz musician. I found it was the first edition of his autobiography, BENEATH THE UNDERDOG. But not only that: in the title page there's a sign in blue pen ink that reads: "Charles Mingus", with a date two years prior to Mingus' death in 1979.

The book was a bargain so I bought it (the Spanish version of the biography was more expensive, and also there was that signing). I didn't give the thing much thought until some days ago. I did a search in Google and found that another copy of this same edition, dedicated and signed by Mingus, was sold recently for a four-figures sum.

My question is: could I sell this as an autographed book even when I don't have actual proof about who signed it? Sadly, the owner of the item -probably deceased- didn't put his/her name on it, and the book is not dedicated, only signed. But that sign looks fairly similar to others by Mingus I see on the Internet. Would it be taken seriously?

Of course this is not a jazz forum, but I know some of you guys buy stuff on eBay and must know something about this "autograph" matter. Also, I'm not an unknown here as I would be in a jazz or autographs forum.

Any advise will be appreciated.

[needlefingers]

It is best to find an auction house that deals with this type of memorabilia.

Many auction houses will give you a free appraisal. Some, like Christie's, even offer it online, though you may have to wait 6 weeks or more.

An auction estimate is going to be lower than true value. The reason being that they will wish to represent it for you and will try to quarantee a sale, thus providing themselves with a commision.

After you find it to be authentic through an auction house, you should then take it to an appraiser to learn it's true value. You must pay for an appraisal, but you would get a certificate of authenticity for your find. And an appraiser would know better about buyers/clients seeking your item and possibly arranging a sale that would bring you a higher profit or the full value.

You could also skip the step of checking through an auction house and just take it to an appraiser first. But they are going to charge you either way.