The straightforward change of mind
If a piece is not what you hoped for when it arrives, contact us within fourteen days and return it in the condition it was sent, in its original packaging and framing. Once it is back and checked we refund the item price. Tell us before sending anything back so we can advise on packing, because most damage in this trade happens in transit rather than in the home.
If your doubt is about authenticity
This is treated differently and it has no time limit. Our guarantee runs for as long as you own the piece. Get in touch describing exactly what has raised the doubt, and send clear photographs of the signature, the full item and the reverse or backing board if accessible.
- A close, well lit photograph of the signature with no flash glare
- A photograph of the whole piece as it currently presents
- Your certificate, so we can pull the original intake record
- Any second opinion you have already been given, in writing
What we do with your evidence
We reopen our own file on the piece and go back through the intake record, the exemplars used at the time and anything the original source told us. If a second opinion has been offered against us we want to see the reasoning, not just the verdict, because opinions in this trade vary in quality and an unsupported verdict from an anonymous source is not evidence.
The outcome
Where a piece cannot be supported, we take it back and refund what you paid for it, whenever you bought it. That is what the authenticity guarantee means in practice and it is deliberately simple, because a guarantee with conditions attached is not a guarantee.
Every item we sell is supplied with the WDW Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Derek Warwick and valid for as long as you own the piece.
Things that are not covered
Damage after delivery, fading caused by hanging a piece in direct sunlight, a change in market value, and pieces altered, reframed or cleaned by someone else in a way that prevents proper inspection. Our guide on protecting autographs from fading covers the avoidable half of that list.
Need a straight answer on a specific piece?
Send photographs and we'll give you an honest opinion — whether you're buying, selling or simply curious. You can also visit us at 87 Princes Street, Southend-on-Sea, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm.