John Hancock question

[David Atkatz]

I wouldn't call it (or the in-text Washington) a "variant signature." There is a difference between writing one's name (e.g., filling out a form or application), and signing one's name.

[prewarsports]

He did sign it like that too, not just used when he was writing his name in context. Mine was on a signature line and signed that way. I was told by an expert when I had mine (15+ years ago) that when he needed to he would sign in the big flourishing way we see sometimes and when he didn't need to, he would sign it in this more simplistic form. Ink and pens back then made his formal signature laborious and time consuming so when he was signing business documents and mundane things, he would sign in this simplistic form but when signing government documents and formal (ceremonial) pieces he would sign in the other form. I am FAR from an expert in this area, just relaying what my experiences were having owned one at one point.