The combined autograph ID knowledge of the internet is impressive!
 

I like to check out the "help me ID these signatures" type threads across the different collectible sites. There are always a few new one's it seems, daily.


First off, I like to test my own knowledge. I am by no means an expert in any category and I don't judge the authenticity of any given signature, but merely who's signature (or in some cases, who's forged signature) is displayed. Second, I like to help people ID them when I can.

I am constantly amazed at how quickly most signatures are identified in general though. If you are not #1 or #2 post in most cases, the mystery has already been solved. Even when I scratch my head and think nobody is going to get one, someone almost always comes! Not only is it impressive that they are identified quickly, but that some of the most common and forgettable names are tossed up like it was no big deal, sometimes out of context even, which makes it that much harder.

99% of my autographs are arranged alphabetically, so should I become unable to identify them in the future, there is a good chance someone can do some basic sleuthing and figure it out. The toughies may be the multi-signed items, especially balls.

Seeing some of these help thread though really makes me want to make sure everything I have is 100% marked for the future. It's fun to guess at some of these, but it is also a shame that so many signatures go unidentified through forgetfulness or passing between parties and ultimately are probably sold cheaply, given away or trashed because someone has no clue who they have.

+1000 I often think exactly the same thing, FWIW