Joe Louis Autograph help...

[Oldtix]

Thanks to all who have been lending their expertise to the recent strings...I hope you'll help me on a puzzler.

I have an old library copy of "MY LIFE STORY" by Joe Louis. It has a signature on one of the front pages that I have never thought to be real; however, recently a copy of the same book sold on ebay with a similar...but not identical...signature.

The signature on the left is from the ebay listing; the one on the right is from my book. The pens used are similar. It appears both were signed by the same person, but there are distinct differences so it's not like the Connie Mack printed signatures in "MY 66 YEARS IN BASEBALL".

Are these authentic Joe Louis signatures?

[Kawika]

Here is a signature for comparison. Looks similar to me but that and a nickle would buy you a cup of coffee in 1966. I have a bona fide LOA lying around somewhere so I believe my autograph is good.

[Exhibitman]

They do not look good to me--too stilted--but if he was signing extra carefully because of the nature of the item and the circumstances that might account for it. I'd recommend having Spence take a look at it.

Nice pic, Dave. Any idea who the fighter was to whom it was inscribed?

[Kawika]

Couldn't have been me, Adam. Around the kyokushin dojo I am referred to as Mister Human Punching Bag.

[jbsports33]

you should be able to find other Lewis signatures to compare with these; in general his signature is usually never as clean so I would not be surprised if they are part of the book. I would see what the age of the book is and go from there as well, little research will help.

Jimmy

[drc]

I haven't heard of faux/pre-printed Louis signatures for that book, so that shouldn't be the issue. Yours clearly is not a stamp, as you can see overlapping of ink. I'm not aware that Louis used an autopen or such. It should just come down to if the signature is genuine.