Opinion on Mantle and how to self-authenticate
 

So I've dreaded doing a thread like this because I try to authenticate myself but after looking at the previous Mantle thread and thinking the two were fake, I've lost a bit of confidence.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...y%20Mantle.jpg

I got this from "The Written Word" over ten years ago. I believe they have a good reputation but I just need some peace of mind. To prevent me from doing these threads though, here are my questions:

1. Is letter construction important to authenticity or is it overstated?

2. How do you tell when an autograph is "labored?"

3. What is the best way to compile an exemplar library aside from getting an auto in person?

4. Is it possible to compare a signed item on a ball with a signed item on something flat or is it too different?

5. What's the secret to id'ing an auto in a setting where you can't pull out your exemplars?

Thanks and apologies for asking for free advice.

Looks good

I agree with Mike. Looks good

Good to know. If anyone can give me some advice on trying to do this myself as well, would appreciate it.

Are there any classes or anything in the U.S. where you can do that by the way?

There's really no course or way to learn other than studying the signature. Believe me it took me many years and looking at thousands of Mantle autographs to be able to get pretty good at it.

Charles is correct.

There is no course to take on learning autographs and that forensic crap is just that; crap.

:):):):):):):):)

It just happens over time that you just know when it is bad. I hit it about 95 percent.

It's authentic and the "secret" is to study a person's autograph enough to where you can just tell... Does not come overnight. You can't just measure letters, or stare at a certain letter, you have to look at the overall signature.