Any Reggie Jackson signature experts out there?

[JoeDfan]

My very first memory (and the reason I love baseball) is my dad jumping around the living room as he (we) watched Reggie hit 3 homers in the '77 WS.
Needless to say, I am VERY excited to add this Jackson rookie bat to the Yankee room.
However, the seller said that although Mears liked the bat, JSA didn't like the signature.

Anyone have any thoughts? I saw a couple of early sigs where the "J" looked the same, but I am no autograph expert.

Thanks,
Sean

[ooo-ribay]

The R is all wrong...

edit: I'm no expert, though.

[mighty bombjack]

This would get more responses in the autograph forum (which is a subset of this forum; a bit confusing to be sure). I'd post it there.

I'm no Reggie expert, but I have gotten him IP and own several certified copies. The one gives me pause because it looks pretty different form the ones I own and have seen. It could be an early example, as you said, and I'm not familiar with his pre-80s signature.

Post it in the autograph section (or ask a mod to move it there). I'm curious what others might have to say.

[mr2686]

I have about 10 in person Jackson sigs over the course of about 18 years, and that one doesn't even come close.

[baylife]

I have never seen a reggie jackson like that. I would say no.

[lrspaulp]

Reggie has been my all-time favorite player and my main PC, that us not a good signature. "R" is off and it looks way too slanted.

[yankeesjetsfan]

I have a few Reggie's in my collection & is also one of my favorite players. I'm no expert, but I'd bet my collection that graph is phony.

Mike

[JoeDfan]

Thanks everyone!

I am wondering if I should just buff it off, and not have to look at it anymore...

[rjackson44]

Horrible

[ooo-ribay]

Thanks everyone!

I am wondering if I should just buff it off, and not have to look at it anymore...

I would, if I could get it off with no alteration to the bat's finish.

[stewbacca]

I am not so sure it is a fake:
1. Many of Reggies old signatures used to look like Leggie. If there is no loop in the R it would look like an L
2. Look at the bat stamp autograph. The R's are similar in my opinion. It looks like the R in blue didn't start far enough to the left with the pen.
3. The rest of the signature looks good to me. It's just the R and if it was done in a hurry or done on a curved surface, especially as a young signer, it may look slightly different.

I also wouldn't bet my collection on it. The only way you can be sure is to have seen him sign it in person. Very neat bat. I had one of his black bats from 1980 and got him to sign in. Does the knob of the bat have anything stamped on it?

Thanks,
Paul

[Steve D]

Isn't the "J" shaped incorrectly? Every Reggie autograph I've seen has a much narrower top loop, and a much wider bottom loop, as the bottom loop is where he put his uniform number.

Steve

[MooseDog]

It looks like an attempt to copy the bat sig. However that means it would have had to been signed in the 1967-69 era. Early years in Oakland Reggie was notoriously difficult IP and Sharpies were not prevalent back then and may not even have been available.

He used Adirondack bats most of the rest of his career. So if the bat is not a gamer from the era it's probably not likely a genuine Reggi signature.

[JoeDfan]

The seller said that it was a Reggie gamer from 1968 (I found the Mears auction; plus he sent me the cert.). They gave it a 6.5.
On the only two exemplars I could find from his early days; the "J" looked the same as on the bat. If I remember right, both were PSA, but of course as we all know, some people like PSA, some don't, etc., so that might not mean anything.

Wow, I was about to get up this morning, and make the signature evaporate.
But now maybe I will wait. I guess it can't harm anything to leave it there.

It says "K75" on the knob.

Here is the original Mears auction:
http://sports.mearsonlineauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=52832

Any other opinions?

PS; as usual, full disclosure: The seller pointed out BEFORE the sale that JSA failed the signature, so I don't want anyone thinking I am trying to imply he was dishonest. He was not. And I love the bat.

[JoeDfan]

2. Look at the bat stamp autograph. The R's are similar in my opinion. It looks like the R in blue didn't start far enough to the left with the pen.


Are the signatures on LS bats supposed to resemble an actual signature? I guess I always just thought someone at the factory just sort of made them up.

[roarfrom34]

Are the signatures on LS bats supposed to resemble an actual signature? I guess I always just thought someone at the factory just sort of made them up.

Yes they are....They get the signature to use on the bats once the player signs a contract with LS (obviously early in their career)...No one makes them up

[stewbacca]

Wait on removing the signature. Reggie still does card shows and charges anywhere from $50 to $100 depending upon the promoter(probably more for bats). Go to a show to get it signed, ask Reggie if the signature is legit (and I believe he would be able to tell). If not have him sign it again and remove the first signature. If he says it is real, have another item ready to be signed.

[perezfan]

I would wait, too...

I do not know his Rookie signature that well, but know that these things often change significantly over time. Look at Mantle, for gosh sakes.

I could easily see this being a legit "early career" signature.

[JoeDfan]

Thanks everyone!

[bnorth]

Thanks everyone!

I am sure I can help you. I need to have the bat in hand to give a valid opinion. Sent it to me and after several years of close inspection and tens of dollars in examination fees I will get back to you.:)

[JoeDfan]

I am sure I can help you. I need to have the bat in hand to give a valid opinion. Sent it to me and after several years of close inspection and tens of dollars in examination fees I will get back to you.:)

Lol. Ben's Authentication Service is open for business everyone!!!!!

If your submission form was easier than PSA and SGC, I might actually use it!!!! Hahahahahaha!!!!

[JoeDfan]

I totally forgot about my signed Reggie thread, but then I stumbled across this the other day by accident.

This is Reggie's signature on a 1981 Topps Super card.

I actually think that looks pretty close. Did Topps use real signatures on their cards?

[JoeDfan]

And again, here is the bat for comparison...

[JMEnglish27]

I've seen one or two like this that were in-person obtained, but as others have suggested, were early career.

I like this one, actually.

[canjond]

Here's a contract from 1971. Pretty close comparison on the "J" in Jackson.

I edited the photo to remove Reggie's ss number. That said, the contract is on the PSA/DNA website, so unfortunately it's prevalent on the internet. Guess there is no reason to perpetuate it though!

[JollyElm]

Here's a contract from 1971. Pretty close comparison on the "J" in Jackson.


Now I have Reg's social security number. Time for some identity theft. Can't wait to brag about those 3 HR's I hit in Game Six.

[JoeDfan]

Wow, I can't believe that I almost wiped off that signature. I am REALLY glad I didn't, because I am convinced that it is indeed, a legit signature.

That is awesome, except for the social security thing; maybe we should erase that part from the post?

Thanks everyone!
I am psyched that I solved one of my many research projects!

[71buc]

For what it's worth here are other examples...

https://www.psacard.com/autographfacts/baseball/reggie-jackson/22