Help with this autograph!

[jbsports33]

I agree this very well could be an auto pen, could you show us a close up picture of the back, with out seeing the item in person it can be difficult. I had a few Ali autos which all looked great, but ended up being auto pen. They appear nice and signatures look good, but they can be hard to detect. Type of paper and text seems to be another sign of auto pen and I would not be surprised.

Jimmy

[pow323]

Here is a picture of the back. Thanks!

[RichardSimon]

This is almost certainly a printed signature and not really signed. I would have to examine it without glass to be 100% sure, but these type of documents were printed with facsimile signatures most of the time.
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[batsballsbases]

This may very well be an auto pen as Truman had to sign many of these kind of letters. Here is one also from that time to compare.

[mr2686]

Wow...this one certainly got me. A couple of things I'm curious about though. First, I always thought that with an autopen, there could not be any breaks in the signature at all...I'm guessing that's not true, and second, are autopen sigs still prevalent as far as Presidents go or did somewhere down the line they use secretarial versions?

[RichardSimon]

Presidents have used autopens and secretarial signatures throughout their terms.

[Oldtix]

Last summer, I read David McCullough's excellent biography Truman...a lengthy but very enjoyable review of his personal and political life.

As I recall, Truman reportedly dedicated many hours daily to personally answering his correspondence. He was of the old school that considered it good manners, and his writings provide an exceptional record of his presidency. He would have certainly taken the signing of condolence letters very seriously (particularly so near the start of his term in office), so I wouldn't dismiss the possibility too quickly. Not saying it's real...I'm no expert...but it's more likely for Truman than for later presidents.

[mr2686]

Rick, I was of the same opinion of Truman as you...very old school especially when it came to personally signing condolence letters. I'm sure he couldn't have signed every one, but I bet he tried. I really hate to think that "nothing says thank you for your sons and daughters giving their lives to this country" better than a form letter and an autopen.

[RichardSimon]

I repeat, I don't think it is an autopen but the entire document is printed. It is a document not a personal condolence letter.
Think about it,,, think how many of these he would have had to have signed.