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The Difference Between a Signed Book and a Facsimile Signature

For most collectors, an autographed book, signed by a favorite author or celebrity, is a prize worth cherishing. However, the collectibles industry is rife with reproductions and deliberate forgeries, and the autograph market is no exception. The best way to ensure an autograph is genuine is to get it in person. Since this is often impossible, there are steps collectors can take to protect the integrity and value of their collection.

Book printings and signatures
- When authenticating a signature in a book, the first thing to check for is the printing date of the book. A 1952 edition of "Gone With The Wind," supposedly signed by author Margaret Mitchell, carries a forged signature because Mitchell died in 1949. While this may seem like common sense, it's surprising how many collectors can forget these basic considerations in the excitement of finding a long-sought signature --- and unscrupulous dealers will bank on this. Knowing a few basic biographical facts about the book's author or celebrity subject is extremely helpful in authenticating a signature.
Forged and photocopied signatures
- Children's books signed by authors such as J.M. Barrie are prized.
  
  It's important to check the autograph next to a genuine one. A signature can have variations throughout a person's lifetime; celebrities often change their style of signing as they get more famous or hold a shakier pen as they age, so be aware of these factors when comparing a signature. Other signs to look for are whether or not the signature is jerky or uneven, which is often a clue that someone has forged the signature by copying or even tracing it. Breaks in the line of the signature can also indicate that a signature was photocopied. This is a particularly important factor to consider if the signature was made on a separate piece of paper and pasted into the book, rather than signed directly on the page.
Identifying the ink
- Identifying the type of pen and ink can help date the signature
  
  Identifying the type of ink used in the signature is extremely important, as ink appearance can differ greatly depending upon the era. Professional authenticators can tell the difference between ink from a quill pen, a fountain pen, a ball point pen and everything in between. Since Hemingway didn't use a modern indelible laundry marker, a so-called Hemingway autograph signed by this type of pen is an obvious fake. Likewise, a book supposedly signed by Thomas Jefferson has a fake signature if it was written with a ball point pen.
The popularity factor
- Signed letters by famous composers such as Brahms are particularly rare.
  
  Some signatures are particularly popular, and therefore more valuable to the collector's market. While many of these signatures are of legendary athletes such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, or entertainers such as Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, the signatures of distinguished authors such as Ernest Hemingway or Mark Twain can also go for tens of thousands of dollars. When confronted with a book supposedly signed by a legendary literary figure, collectors need to be particularly cautious.
Professional appraisal services
- Appraisers can authenticate the value of a collection.
  
  Professional appraisers know their ink types and are aware of what to look for in a genuine signature. They have resources to original autographs of thousands of authors and celebrities, and can spot even the most meticulous forgeries by using a variety of scientific methods, including DNA technology. For a fee, a professional appraiser will not only authenticate an autograph, but will also include a certificate of appraisal, which can be used for insurance evaluations or resale transactions. Reputable professional appraisers can be found on the Internet, and it's always desirable to seek out those who belong to recognized organizations, such as the Professional Autograph Dealers Association.

Collecting Memorabilia