Vintage President Autographs
There are a lot of people who are in the market for vintage collectibles. In this article I am going to discuss vintage president autographs. I have put together a list which includes seven different ways that autographs can and have been duplicated.
1. Handwritten Documents
It was common in the eighteenth-century for presidents to have secretarial copies made of all their important papers to be kept on file. The secretaries would copy the documents in their own handwriting, sign the president’s name, and below that signature, sign their own. This accounts for the “G. Washington” signatures on authentic period manuscripts. These were carefully marked as file copies.
2. Land Agent Signatures
During Lincoln’s presidency, “Lincoln-signed” land grants were being signed regularly by land agents. Land agents were given the authority to sign for the president and then noted with their own signature beneath (e.g., A. Lincoln by John Smith). This was a routine procedure until President Andrew Jackson decided to do away with this time-consuming task.
3. Proxy-Signers
A Proxy-signer is someone who has been authorized to act for the signer. Dating back to George Washington, most of the secretaries that have been used by US Presidents to handle their correspondence have acted as proxy-signers, instead of trying to duplicate the presidents signature.
4. Forged Autographs
There are many dishonest people out there who will forge autographs in such a way that it is almost impossible for the amateur collector to discern. They will go to great lengths to make their signatures seem authentic. For example, they will use blank pages in old books to write the signatures on to make it appear to be from that era. These forgers are just looking to make money from unsuspecting collectors. If in doubt, consult with a professional collector who should be able to tell the difference between forged and authentic documents.
During the Civil War, (Confederate States) President Jefferson Davis had his wife sign many of his dictated letters. She did such a good job that she started putting a period after the signature she wrote so that he could tell which ones she signed.
Watch out for other deceiving practices where a page with a President’s quote and signature is cut out from a book and doctored up into something else entirely. Some of these fraudulent creations have included these presidents: George W. Bush, Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
5. Preprinting
Many sellers on eBay use a method called “preprinting”. The item they are selling may be only a photocopy of an actual autographed photo which has been printed on glossy photo paper. If someone is offering a “preprinted” autographed photo, this information should be made clear to the buyer. However, to be safe, make sure you read all of the fine print before buying anything.
6. Hand-Stamp
Some presidents, such as Andrew Johnson, Warren Harding, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, at some previous time, used a rubber or steel hand-stamp to sign their documents.
7. Autopen
The autopen is a mechanical pen that makes perfect facsimile (duplicate) signatures using a signature template known as a matrix. Harry Truman is believed to have been the first United States President to use the autopen. From about the Eisenhower era of the 1950s until today, almost all American presidents have had the autopen to reproduce presidential signatures.
Just remember that some unscrupulous autograph sellers may be able to obtain or produce one of these autopen templates to mass-produce autographs for re-sale.
About the Author
DLDowney
http://booksonbooks.com
think iPods are cool? vintage Sony Walkmans are MUCH cooler!
|
|
Vandor 14-Ounce Mug, The Beatles Yellow Submarine $10.99 Love is all you need and this Beatles, Yellow Submarine themed coffee mug. Designed with the colorful and funky bright colors of the 60s, this mug is great to serve your favorite hot or cold beverage…. |
|
|
Coca-Cola Glass Sugar Dispenser Shaker Coke $9.90 Store your sugar in true Coca Cola Classic style with this Diner Style Coca-Cola Sugar Shaker…. |
|
|
Star Wars Clone Wars Poster Jedi Battle Full Size $7.99 New Full Size Poster. High Quality. Suitable for Framing…. |
|
|
Emotional Rescue Songs include: 1. Dance, Pt. 1 2. Summer Romance 3. Send It to Me 4. Let Me Go 5. Indian Girl 6. Where the Boys Go 7. Down in the Hole 8. Emotional Rescue 9. She’s So Cold 10. All About You… |
|
|
Second Winter $6.59 … |
|
|
Disraeli Gears 1967 … |
|
|
Coca Cola Collectible Vintage Mirror $40.99 Spice up your game or rec room with this vintage-style Coca Cola mirrorCollectible plaque features the Coca Cola logoDetails are under the mirror so you can wash and clean it without hurting the finish |
|
|
Vintage 1930 Indian Chief Motorcycle Model $17.19 1:12-scale diecast motorcycle model is a vintage-style collectibleCollectible item is equipped with free wheels and kick stand1930 Indian Chief model is a true replica of the real bike |
|
|
Kenworth 1:32 Model Truck and Set of 4 Magnets $33.99 Toy truck makes a great addition to any model collection Model of Kenworth W900 semi and rig built to 1:32 scaleModel truck features state/city magnetic decal with God Bless America and 2 other Support the Troops magnets |
|
|
The Best Vintage, Antique and Collectible Shops in Paris $11.53 The Best Vintage, Antique and Collectible Shops in Paris |
|
|
Coca Cola Collectible Vintage Mirror $40.99 *Spice up your game or rec room with this vintage-style Coca Cola mirror *Collectible plaque features the Coca Cola logo *Details are under the mirror so you can wash and clean it without hurting the finish *Comes framed in resin *Available in three different designs: a waitress with Coke, Big King Size and Couple with Coke *Coca Cola Waitress mirror is horizontal and measures 15 inches high x 26 inches wide *Coca Cola Big King Size mirror is vertical and measures 26 inches high x 15 inches wide *Couple Enjoy Coke mirror is horizontal and measures 15 inches high x 26 inches wide |