Two prominent California booksellers have written letters to their representatives in opposition to Assembly Bill 1570 Collectibles: Sale of Autographed Memorabilia, which was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on September 9 and requires dealers in any autographed material to provide certificates of authenticity (COA) for any signed item sold for $5 or more.
Although the law is intended to regulate the sale of sports and movie memorabilia and combat "forgery mills," it would seem that it will have drastic, unintended consequences for the sale of signed books, paintings, sculptures and almost every other type of artwork and could greatly hinder the ability of California stores to run book fairs and author signings, and put California sellers of rare and antiquated books at a disadvantage compared to vendors from other states.
Although the law is intended to regulate the sale of sports and movie memorabilia and combat "forgery mills," it would seem that it will have drastic, unintended consequences for the sale of signed books, paintings, sculptures and almost every other type of artwork and could greatly hinder the ability of California stores to run book fairs and author signings, and put California sellers of rare and antiquated books at a disadvantage compared to vendors from other states.