Check out this brutal Koufax signed 3 x 5 on eBay!

[rlevy]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Hi Karl,

You ask a fair question. As with many players, Sandy Koufax's signature has definately changed through the years. I would like to give you a quick look at the evolution of Sandy Koufax's signature from 1956-1972 just to illustrate the point.

The first image is a dated GPC (government postcard) from 1956.
The next three are authentic signed 3 x 5 index cards of Sandy (from top to bottom in the scan) of Sandy's autograph in the early 1960's, mid 1960's (1964-1966) and 1971-1972 respectively.

Once you have looked at these authentic signatures, please compare these to the book in question. Do you still have any uncertainty that both the facsimile signature and autograph in the book both display a bad Koufax signature?

One point to remember is that the 1st edition of the book pictured here, entitled "Koufax" by author Ed Linn, was published in 1966. A real Koufax autograph on this book would look like the mid 1960's autograph that I showed you or later. Nothing like what was shown in the auction screen shot photos the thetruthisoutthere showed us earlier.

BTW, Koufax's signature has evolved even more since the early 70's. Nowdays his signature barely shows any top portion of the "S" and the two pen strokes that Koufax uses to sign the "K" almost look like the parallel lines have become one. Much different than anything that I showed you here...

I hope this helps. Good collecting!

Scott,
I also collect Koufax items, and have many of his signatures organized by date to help me authenticate items of his. I agree with your assessment of the signature in the book, and tour samples for 1956, early 60's, and early 70's, but I think your signed index card for mid-60's isn't correct. I don't believe he started using an "S" like on your index card until much later (80's or 90's), but stopped using the "K" like on your card in around 1964-65. I also think the slant and letter formation isn't consistent with his signature back then.
Pictured below is his signature from Dec. 1966 when he signed with NBC to do color commentary and other work for the network, and your index card from the same time period.

Rick
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