Looking for Recommendations on Autograph Authentication Resources

[Laxcat]

I always look for Jason or Richard to give pointers. This might be the best place to learn.

I know I’ve learned how to spot fakes better.

[Case12]

Be careful of auto pens. They are used a lot in books. Thomas Jefferson was the first to use. Most politicians use auto pens. Obama was the first to use autopen to sign a law when he couldn't be in person in DC at the needed time. I was burnt on a Billy Graham auto. It looked very real. For books I also like inscriptions by hand.

[Wrightfan85]

Originally Posted by Case12

Be careful of auto pens. They are used a lot in books. Thomas Jefferson was the first to use. .

Didn't realize they went back that far. Always good to learn something new each day.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Wrightfan85

Didn't realize they went back that far. Always good to learn something new each day.

The machine Thomas Jefferson used was not an autopen and should not be considered as being in the same category. He used a machine called a polygraph. The machine had two quill/dip pens attached to a series of arms. As he wrote on a sheet of paper with one pen it would make a copy with the other pen. He did not invent it, but did use it to retain copies of all of his correspondence. It was quite advanced and when set properly it is difficult to tell the original from the copy. The autopen relies on a template of the signature without the person being present. The polygraph required the person to be present. If you visit Monticello you will see one.

As for authentically signed books I would consider purchasing books from dealers who are members of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America). I have purchased some nice signed books from members and they have book shows in all of the major cities in the U.S. Like all collecting you may find a few scoundrels, but there are some very interesting people. There are also some autograph dealers who display at their shows.

[steve B]

Learning about the authors and a few other things also helps.

One author I like signed a LOT. Some fans joke that the rarest of his books are unsigned first editions. (Terry Pratchett) Of course, with a rather rabid following, finding ones that people are letting go of is not as easy.


Then there are the odd things. Like I bought a couple boxes of books to resell and maybe keep a couple. (Nothing great, but pre-Amazon and the whole box was $5 for maybe 30 books. ) I thought I'd found a good one when I saw a Barbara Bush book that was signed.
Of course it was autopenned, and in enough quantity that the "Signed edition" had its own ISBN.

[Jobu]

Thank you for all of the responses, much appreciated.

I am always a bit scared of autographs, so I serve as a good skeptic/wet blanket for him as I get nervous about most signatures.

Do you guys know of a book on this subject? The diligence, working with trusted people, researching other examples, etc is all great advice, but I am wondering if there is a respected book along the lines of "Teach yourself how to authenticate autographs." Obviously one wouldn't come out of reading such a book as an expert, but if there were sections on ink flow, ink types, shakiness, letter shapes and slant, etc it might be useful to get a better sense of what to look for.

[Fred]

Why not try to find a Christy Mathewson "Won in the Ninth" signed edition. It would even be authenticated by JSA. Sorry, just another jab at the hobby and auto authentication.

Seriously, I wouldn't trust many authenticators. Even the really reputable services are going to miss a few. Anymore, certs, LOAs, etc are useless unless there is some traceable provenance.