| How can I authenticate my autograph to know if its | | | | The best places to quickly view and compare |
| real? | | | | signatures are on websites that post auction results or |
| One of the first things autograph experts consider | | | | websites with a large inventory of autographed items. |
| when determining whether an autograph is real or not | | | | Autograph collecting organizations often post popular |
| is the pattern of the signature. Does the formation of | | | | autographs on their websites. Websites such as |
| letters match known examples? Are there any | | | | have a large inventory of autographs that may be |
| special identifying features of the signature such as a | | | | helpful when analyzing signature patterns. If the |
| stylized paraph that may be associated with a | | | | signature pattern of the autograph under consideration |
| particular persons autograph? | | | | is grossly different than known examples, its |
| When comparing signatures with known examples it is | | | | authenticity is dubious because it has not passed the |
| important to consider dates. Autographs vary over | | | | first test of analysis. |
| time. Differences in signature construction are | | | | On the other hand, it is important to remember that a |
| expected to vary from childhood to adulthood. The | | | | similar or identical signature pattern to a known |
| autograph of actor James Dean changed remarkably | | | | example of an autograph does not necessarily mean |
| during his transition from elementary school to movie | | | | that your autograph is authentic. Further scrutiny is |
| star. But even signatures during adulthood may | | | | needed to validate authenticity of an autograph. |
| vary. For example, in the early 1920s, Babe Ruth | | | | After confirming similarity, be sure that your autograph |
| usually placed quotation marks around the name | | | | is not a rubber stamp, imprint, or one made by a |
| "Babe" in his autograph. As the name "Babe" | | | | mechanical autopen. Common sense will eliminate |
| became embedded in the public persona, and as the | | | | many fakes. Many reputable autograph collecting |
| number of fans requesting his autograph skyrocketed, | | | | organizations have resources available on the Internet |
| Ruth dropped the addition of quotation marks about his | | | | that may be useful when analyzing your autograph. |
| first name. | | | | Collecting autographs can be fun, exciting, and |
| A similar example holds true for Thomas Edison. In | | | | educational. Knowledge of autograph authentication |
| his early years Edison signed his first name with a | | | | is useful for collectors. With careful analysis based |
| simple "T". His signature evolved over time with a | | | | on tools that are readily available on the Internet, the |
| flourishing "T" that covered the top of his signature. | | | | novice collector is better able to determine the |
| The so-called umbrella signature of Thomas Edison is | | | | authenticity of his autograph. |
| recognized around the world. | | | | |