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Katharine Hepburn

I would appreciate your thoughts on the below signature.

Thank you!

Jason

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 20, 2016 at 9:25pm

I'd pass on it.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 23, 2016 at 9:05am

Yes, Steve is right. Unfortunately, this is a perfect poster child for transferred tone from a sulfur ridden newspaper clipping or the like on the opposing page in the album. The eye appeal is negative and essentially terminal.

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Permalink Reply by Jason on December 23, 2016 at 6:59pm

Eric,

Please help me understand what you have described above. I have purchased a few few signatures on vintage pages that could be of concern. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Jason

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 23, 2016 at 7:12pm

Hi Jason,

Sure. I meant that, to me (and authenticity aside), this autograph album page has been seriously devalued by the brown toning caused by something (newspaper or perhaps a photo cut from a Players Directory etc, in other cases the glue itself) on the previous page which, over time, has aged and outgassed and created this "imprint" on the Hepburn page. While not literally worthless, such an item is impaired IMO - an equal or even lesser signature, without the tone, will "always" sell first. Obviously, were this some super rare signature, the eye appeal/condition would be trumped by the name, but that is not the norm and even then, it would still usually bring less than a similar item in better condition.

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Permalink Reply by Jason on December 23, 2016 at 7:32pm

I fully understand now. I thought you were referring to the authenticity. I appreciate you taking the time to explain. I have a lot to learn!

Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 23, 2016 at 11:06pm

No problem. Authenticity? This is what I call a "blazing signature" - blatantly genuine. This is some kind of weird cosmic law - often the problem piece has the great signature. I was thinking about this item and how to possibly salvage it. Call me irresponsible, but an engaging light high quality pencil drawing of Hepburn inside the "frame" of the tone could make something potentially framable, but the tone is "terminal" to me. My "solution" is a novelty, not cost worthy and the would the result would be a novelty of small value. This tone can not be "unseen" - it is the first thing you see and all one focuses on. To be sure, for one who only desires a genuine signature from the hand of the star in question to satisfy a true love on a budget this may be ideal, although an equal example with a toned area not touching the signature would be preferable. Steve said it in a sentence - "I'd pass on it".