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  371665492920: Alan Shepard signed cover

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Author Topic:   371665492920: Alan Shepard signed cover
bklyn55
Member

Posts: 361
From: Milford, CT
Registered: Dec 2014

posted 07-16-2016 05:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for bklyn55   Click Here to Email bklyn55     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Any opinions on the authenticity of the Alan Shepard signature on this eBay item?

SpaceSteve
Member

Posts: 428
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 07-17-2016 08:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceSteve   Click Here to Email SpaceSteve     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am extremely skeptical of that Shepard, as I have never seen him underline his signature.

datkatz
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Posts: 176
From: New York, NY
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 07-17-2016 12:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for datkatz   Click Here to Email datkatz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I can't speak to the authenticity of this particular Shepard, but I can say that he most certainly did underline his signature on occasion.

I had the honor of meeting him in 1987, and I asked him to sign the rubber-stamped letter I had received in 1961. Here's the in-person autograph:

SpaceSteve
Member

Posts: 428
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 07-17-2016 10:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceSteve   Click Here to Email SpaceSteve     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, thank you. That is a nice signature.

The other thing that strikes me the most about the OP example, is that the "an Shep" is all one stroke, with an extra backwards stroke beginning the "S", where the pen never left the paper. Also, the "r" and "d" in his last name are connected. Each of these traits is certainly atypical.

calcheyup
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Posts: 125
From:
Registered: May 2014

posted 07-18-2016 04:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for calcheyup     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have seen many Shepard examples where the n in "Alan" and the "S" connect. While this signature does have some atypical things going on, to me it looks great on the whole. From the resolution available for us to view, I'd put my opinion on the side of authenticity.

Steve Zarelli
Member

Posts: 731
From: Upstate New York, USA
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 07-18-2016 07:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Steve Zarelli   Click Here to Email Steve Zarelli     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Signed with blazing speed and in one continuous line... formation is perfect. It would take a supremely skilled forger to pull this off.

Looks great in my opinion.

calcheyup
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Posts: 125
From:
Registered: May 2014

posted 07-19-2016 10:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for calcheyup     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just wanted to add that I think that signed letter is very, very cool. Great story behind it, and an oustanding, bold signature with an uncommon "flourish" that implies that Adm. Shepard was exceptionally pleased to sign it for you and wanted to make it a little unique. It's a beautiful example under any circumstances, but in conjunction with the history it's really quite awesome!

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