Signed Joe Dimaggio snapshot

[RichardSimon]

Your doubts are all over your post.
I think you already know the answer.

[thecatspajamas]

Just look at it under magnification. If the signature is on the surface of the photo, then it makes sense to ask the rest of the questions. If it is "in" the photo, it's a moot point as it is definitely a facsimile. If you're still not sure at what "level" the writing appears when looking at it under magnification, look at the edges of the supposed signature. An original signature will have crisp edges, an immediate change as you move from the ink of the sigature to the photographed image beneath. A signature "in" the photo typically won't have such a defined "edge" to the signature lines and the edges will appear slightly fuzzy.

If pressed, from looking at the scan, I would guess that the signed original 3.5"x5" or so snapshot photo was re-shot and blown up to the 5"x7" size you have, with the now-facsimile signature embedded in the image. Neither the signature nor the photograph look to be 1st Generation Original based on your scan. Since you have the piece in hand, though, you are in a much better position to make this determination than we are.

[Chris-Counts]

Thanks for the feedback. Lance, I think you nailed it. As soon as I saw it in person, I had my doubts. Now I'm waiting to see how the seller responds ...

[drc]

Hold the photo surface at a sharp angle to a light. If the signature was written on top of the photo, as opposed to the sig being part of the photo, it should be obvious by the difference in gloss.