Willie Mays Auto Opinion

[quinnsryche]

What do you all think of this one? I'm not sure either way.
Any and all opinions good or bad are appreciated. If no, please specify why so we can all learn.
Thanks!
Tony

[GrayGhost]

Could be a sloppy rushed example, but I don't like it

[ajquigs]

I got this picture signed in person at a card show around 35 years ago.
Both first letters in your example - the "W" and the "M" - get my attention ... specifically the rounded loops as opposed to points in both letters. I defer to others who are experts (I certainly am not) ... perhaps his style changed as he aged, but I'd say that example does not appear to be the signature I'm familiar with.

[MooseDog]

Back in the day both the Mets and the Yankees used to send out photos about that size with machine printed signatures. The signature is kind of pressed into the photo so it looks like it might have been signed but after you see a few of them it's pretty obvious they are reproduced.

[quinnsryche]

You can definitely see the indentation of the sig from the reverse. I'm torn, it looks like a real signature but I just don't know. A few more negative opinions might seal it for me.
Thanks so far guys, I appreciate it.

[Bigdaddy]

It looks like his ghost-signed signature that you would get from a mail request.

[Klrdds]

I say no because it looks exactly like a Yogi Berra "autographed " picture I received from the Mets when I wrote him when he was a coach or manager with them in the early 1970s that was clearly not a signed photo at all .
Same exact ink color and appearance that is on this Mays photo.

[ATP]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

You can definitely see the indentation of the sig from the reverse. I'm torn, it looks like a real signature but I just don't know. A few more negative opinions might seal it for me.
Thanks so far guys, I appreciate it.

Hi Tony, that Mays photo is a fairly common preprint from the era. Sometimes when they are machine stamped it will leave an impression visible on the reverse but it definitely isn't hand signed. When I get back to my computer later tonight or in the morning I will post an image of another one that is the same so you can see the photo and signature are an exact duplicate. Jeff

[quinnsryche]

All right guys, that about sinks it. I will go with 100% consensus that it's not real and it goes in the trash. One more bad one out of the hobby, a good thing in the long run.
Thanks for the confirmation everyone, glad we're all here to help each other out.
All the best,
Tony

[ATP]

Glad to help. Here is one to compare to in case you still wanted to see one.

[quinnsryche]

Thanks Jeff. I think it always helps with a visual. That's definitely the same thing. I could sell as a repro but it's probably not worth the hassle and the chance of someone else getting screwed over.
Thanks again all for your help,
Tony

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

Thanks Jeff. I think it always helps with a visual. That's definitely the same thing. I could sell as a repro but it's probably not worth the hassle and the chance of someone else getting screwed over.
Thanks again all for your help,
Tony

It might still have value to someone, I'd put in something permanent "Souvenir photo with stamped signature" on the back so nobody gets confused.

[quinnsryche]

For the couple of bucks I'd get it's just not worth it. I pitched it in the trash. I don't want anyone to get burned in the future.