Dan has raised a sobering point. I don't collect autographs, but when the book "The Glory of Their Times" came out in the 1960s, I went to NYC for a book signing by Lefty O'Doul, Chief Meyers (Mathewson's catcher), Rube Marquardt, and one other old player. The book sits on my shelf 45 years after I got the autographs, but I can't provide any "proof" they are legitimate. There is no photograph of me with the players, and even if there were, it doesn't prove they signed the book. There is no photograph of them signing a book, and even if there were, it wouldn't prove it was my book. Meyers inscribed his autograph, "To Paul," but that is not proof he actually signed it. Furthermore, most of the autographs are from a shakey hand, undoubtedly different than exemplars from their youth. In short, since I can't even provide proof of the authenticity of the autographs that were signed for my personal benefit, how could I put any faith in the authenticity of other autographs?
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