Autograph

Signed memorabilia is a collectible that includes items a famous person has signed. These items can be anything from a book or photograph to a piece of clothing or jewellery. Many people collect signed memorabilia to remember a special event or person or simply show off their collection to others. But before you buy a piece of signed memorabilia, it's essential to know how to spot the difference between a real and a forged autograph.

Examine the Ink Closely

When it comes to autographs, there are a lot of fakes out there. So, how can you tell if an autograph is real or fake? One way to tell is to examine the ink closely. Here are some things to look for:

  1. The ink should be a consistent colour throughout the autograph. If it looks like the ink has been smudged or is a different colour in places, it could be a fake.
  2. The ink should be smooth and even. If it looks like the ink has been applied in a rushed or sloppy manner, it could be a fake.
  3. The autograph should not be faded. If it looks like the ink has faded, it could be a fake.

If you're ever in doubt, it's always best to get the autograph authenticated by a reputable source.

Consider the When, Where, and How of the Signing

To determine whether an autograph is real or not, it is essential to ask some key questions. 

When was the autograph signed? If it was signed recently, it's more likely to be real. If it was signed long ago, it's more likely to be fake. However, if the artist has passed away, a fresher autograph is unlikely to be real. You have to check whether the autograph predates their death or not.

Where was the autograph signed? If the item was signed at a gig that never occurred, then it's a sure fake. It can also be essential to cross-check information. For example, if the seller claims the item was signed in London in 1980, but you know the band was away on a world tour back then, you'll know the claim would be false. 

How was the autograph signed? If it was signed in a rushed or sloppy manner, it's more likely to be fake.

Check for Robotic Signs

When trying to determine if an autograph is real or fake, one of the easiest ways to tell is by looking for robotic signs. These are usually easy to spot, as they appear very uniform and lack the natural flow of a real signature.

A perfect, uniform pen stroke is one of the most common robotic signs. If all of the letters in an autograph are the same exact width, it's a good indication that a machine did it. Another sign to look for is perfect alignment. If all of the letters in an autograph are perfectly straight, that's another red flag.

Final Thoughts

It is important to be aware of the prevalence of fake autographs in the marketplace. With the internet making it easy to purchase autographs online, there has been an increase in the number of fake autographs being sold. The best way to avoid being scammed is to do your research before you buy and to only purchase autographs from reputable dealers.

Get authentic autographed collectables from Signed Memorabilia 4U. We offer one of the largest selections of fully authentic, guaranteed, signed memorabilia in the U.K! Most of our items are unique one-off items rather than multi-signed items by artists and sports stars. Shop now!