Mantle and Dimaggio... Survey says!

[packs]

That photo is really strange. Both of their heads are elongated and stretched out. Really weird image.

[ATP]

It's just the camera angle that is distorting the heads. I think it is likely just a lower quality photo in general, but the autographs look ok.

[shelly]

No question about the autographs. Is the item authentic. Would you buy it. It is not a newspaper it is a third generation photo. The autographs are photographed. Would you buy it as an authentic piece? That is what I think is fact. Trust me I have been wrong many, many times on this one I think I am correct. If I am wrong you have my apologies ahead of time.

[ATP]

Very possible that it could be a reproduction of an actual signed photo. The autographs "look" authentic, but you are right, it would need to be viewed in person or even a really good quality scan would show if there is overlaps in the ink, pressure, etc...and that would be the deciding factor. One of the dangers to authenticating not in person, laser copies and the like can sneak by. Here is an example to illustrate the point that I think Shelly is trying to make. Several years back, I bought this Hopalong Cassidy signed photo, without looking very closely and based off of a very poor quality photo that the seller took with their cell phone. Upon receipt of the item, it is very easy to see that the inscription and autograph are "in" the photo, not "on" it. It was reproduced from an original signed photo. The "grey" tone of the ink also gives it away to some degree, but the fact that it was inscribed had fooled the original owner for decades and probably would many buyers.