Author
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Topic: 370855637430: William Thornton signed cover
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RichieB16 Member Posts: 552 From: Oregon Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 04-20-2016 09:09 PM
I was curious what you guys thought of this William Thornton autographed cover. I'd like to add his autograph to my collection but wanted some authenticity opinions first. |
randy Member Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 04-20-2016 09:26 PM
According to the STS 51-B crew autographed photo I have, it looks good to me. |
Ken Havekotte Member Posts: 2914 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 04-21-2016 03:48 AM
No, unfortunately, it looks autopen to me. |
RichieB16 Member Posts: 552 From: Oregon Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 04-21-2016 11:49 AM
I was comparing it to the autopen patterns on astroautopens.com and it doesn't appear to match either of the patters on there.The most obvious difference to me with the first pattern is the "cross" on the "t" in Thornton is flat in the autopen and not flat on the cover. With the second autopen, the tail on the "n" in Thornton is very different. So, to me it doesn't match either pattern. |
Bob M Member Posts: 1745 From: Atlanta-area, GA USA Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 04-21-2016 12:15 PM
quote: Originally posted by Ken Havekotte: No, unfortunately, it looks autopen to me.
I agree. |
RichieB16 Member Posts: 552 From: Oregon Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 04-21-2016 05:43 PM
Are there other known autopen patterns other than those found on that website? |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-21-2016 06:07 PM
Autopens can slightly vary in shape and kerning based on the pen used and the pace at which the operator moves the item being signed through the machine.If you overlay the first pattern over the signature on the cover, the two share more in common than they differ. |
moonnut Member Posts: 248 From: Andover, MN Registered: Apr 2013
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posted 04-21-2016 09:40 PM
I agree with Ken. I was going to post that it was an autopen prior to Ken, but I looked at the autopen patterns and had reservations due to that "T". Like Robert says though, I also thought that a lot of the signature matched autopen pattern 1 too close. I also don't see any change in thickness and no lightening and darkening expected with the pace of signing. |
RichieB16 Member Posts: 552 From: Oregon Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 04-22-2016 09:59 AM
I didn't realize that a little variation could occur. Thank you for the information... I will pass on this item.I have one additional autopen question though (just for my own future reference). The website says that autopen pattern 1 for Thornton was seen used 1963-68 and pattern 2 was "current in 1968." I would assume that pattern 2 would then be more common on newer items. But, this item from the early 1980s more closely resembles pattern 1. Is this not a safe assumption? |