I see alot of emphasis being placed on examplars, and while it is an important facit of determining an autograph's authenticity, keep in mind that crooks who counterfeit currency, can draw a twenty dollar bill FREEHAND. So how difficult to reproduce an autograph ?
Also the people who do that with autographs are USING KNOWN EXAMPLARS to replicate their product. So in determining authenticity its important to be looking at OTHER factors as well.....THESE are the so called "trade secrets" that any authenticator worth his salt will keep "close to the vest". Speaking from over 30 years experience , yes there are a certain percentage of autographs that are "no brainers" both good and bad , but its the middle maybe 30% that require the work involved. As for keeping an "examplar file" , back in the "stone age" I mean ....before the information age
That was pretty important and maybe still is (kinda). But there are data bases that are available by subscription now a days that in about 30 seconds I can find in most cases multiple examplars housed in institutions of any notable in any field who ever breathed a breath. Maybe its an oversimplified "take" on it but ANY autograph authenticator ESPECIALLY one who charges money for his opinion better be aware of more than just examplars. And even THEN know a few good people who specialize in certain areas of collecting to get a 2nd , 3rd or even 4th opinion. And ultimately after all that still be humble enough to say "I don't know"
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BUYING & SELLING Vintage autographs Since 1982
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