Advice Please: W514 Joe Jackson Strip Card Signed "J"???
 

Here is a scan of a W514 Joe Jackson that I own.
On the back there is a single, script "J" written in (what looks like) pen that appears very old given the fading and dirt over the signature and the rest of the card.
Could this have been written by Shoeless Joe himself?
Although he was illiterate and his wife mostly signed for him, there are a scarce few examples of his authentic signature (see scans below).
And being that he was illiterate, if he was going to sign an autograph for a fan on a small strip card, would it be far fetched to think that he would sign only "J"?
Was he ever known to sign just a "J"?

I guess my real questions is: If this was your card, what would you do?


http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/5...joejackson.jpghttp://img580.imageshack.us/img580/8...acksonback.jpg

Authentic and verified Shoeless Joe signatures:

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/9899/2010leaf.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/7551/item182811.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/981/54431576.jpg

my opinion
 

I have followed autograph auctions for at least 15 yrs, due mainly to being in the card hobby, so have seen several "alleged" Joe Jackson type autos. I might be wrong, but I don't remember ever seeing one where he signed (of course he was somewhat illiterate, to what extent is debatable) only a J. That being said, to me, those exemplars of Js don't look like the one on back of the card.

If it were me I would consider it a neat card, use it for my type from that set, and feel like it has a lightly erased mark on the back. The mark would be completely inconsequential (to me).

Thanks for your input, Leon. It is a neat card nonetheless. Probably my favorite W514.

Almost looks like whoever originally owned the card wanted to sign Joe Jackson on the back, but thought better of it. Whatever it is, neat card.

The bottom of the loop is smooth on the card, not so on the examples. The examples are a bit jittery, the penstroke on the card is smooth. It's difficult for me to believe that Joe Jackson had anything to do with that "J" on the back of that card. Notwithstanding that, it's a neat card. I like that card.

Not a big strip card guy but I do like that Jackson card. Nice card.

Nice card either way. Imo, shot at the PGds, 1917 WSC Game2, Joe went 3/3 w/2 rbi's.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...0cards/jjp.jpg