As the autograph memorabilia industry has grown, so has the number of forgeries being passed off as authentic. The general hobbyist faces many challenges in determining if an autograph is genuine. To help reduce the odds of purchasing a forgery, it is important that the hobbyist become familiar with the basic steps in evaluating a signature.
A person’s signature, like their fingerprint, is a unique and accurate way of identification. Signatures have distinct characteristics and, when examined by qualified, highly trained professionals can be authenticated with a very high degree of certainty.
Handwriting is a neuromuscular function of the brain, and there are many factors that must be taken into consideration when evaluating a signature. Some of these key factors include the following:
- Writing Surface: this can include such surfaces as a photo, wooden bat, baseball, cloth surface, hard or soft surface, etc.
- Writing Instrument: this includes such items as a fiber tip marker or fountain pen, a ballpoint pen (fine or medium point), or a pencil, etc.
- State Of Mind: is the signer relaxed, hurried, was it signed before or after a game, was the individual on medication, experiencing illness, disability, or fatigue, etc.
- Environment: is the signer sitting, standing, walking, doing a public or private signing, etc.
The evaluation of an item takes each of these factors, along with many more into consideration before an opinion can be rendered. Other factors to take into consideration range from letter formation to the unique characteristics that are found in known authentic signature samples known as
"exemplars".The word
exemplar is from the 15th century Latin word exemplum which means:
“one that serves as a model or sample; a typical or standard specimen”.Before purchasing an autographed item, the hobbyist should become familiar with the signature of the individual being considered for purchase. Looking at known authentic exemplars of the autograph in question will allow you to make a better assessment and avoid purchasing a possible forgery.
If you are unsure of an autograph's authenticity, we recommend that you seek the opinions of qualified, trained and experienced
Forensic Document Examiners (handwriting experts). These examiners apply the science which has been developed over the years to render the best opinion possible. There are only a few individuals in the sports memorabilia industry who are trained, educated and qualified to render an opinion as to an autograph’s authenticity. The two that we recommend are:
Andrew Bradley
Forensic Signature Authentications
One method of authentication that the hobbyist should try to avoid is the “Online Opinion Services”. These services will ask you to send them a scan of the autograph and for a fee of $7 - $20, they will give you an opinion based solely on a cursory review of the scanned autograph.
At best what you will receive for this fee, is a “guess-timate” as to the authenticity of your autograph in the form of a generic letter. These services will not and do not provide you with any guarantee that their opinion is correct. It should also go without saying that an opinion of a "scanned" autograph is next to worthless.
As this industry evolves, it is the opinion of many leading dealers and collectors that one must become familiar with all aspects of memorabilia. It is especially important that the hobbyist take the steps necessary to become knowledgeable about autographs.
If you’re unsure about an autographed item in your collection, we are happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to email us at info@rs-sportscollectibles.com.
Entrust your valuable memorabilia collectibles to the true experts.
