A little Hitchcock help, please....

I have my eye on a nice self-caricature from Alfred Hitchcock. There is a date of 1972 lightly written on the back of it.  No question about the fine integrity of the dealer and their reputation...stellar. Just looking for some thoughts and input on it from "other eyes" before pulling the trigger....

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Permalink Reply by David Lewis on January 29, 2021 at 4:11pm

Etienne, After checking for sale and sold 3rd party authenticated Hitchcock's on the internet, I would pass on this one. It does not feel right, In my humble opinion. I don't want to know the seller, I am only looking at the ink. For this kind of money, If you move on it, just get a quick opinion  before you buy. The top 3rd party authenticators have a lot more exemplars than I do.

Permalink Reply by eddy on January 29, 2021 at 5:33pm

Thanks, David...I appreciate you taking the time looking and your thoughts.

I know that these Hitchcock self-caricatures are heavily forged.  I would 

really like to have one for my collection...but certainly don't want to make a mistake.

Permalink Reply by David Lewis on January 29, 2021 at 6:31pm

Etienne, My opinion was  on the autograph. If I had to critique the caricature, I would have to admit the flat line on the top of the head was a distraction, having seen better over my 40 years of occasionally seeing the artwork. Just in case, pay for the quick opinion and offer the seller less money……Again, the big 3rd party authenticators have more exemplars then I do. 

Permalink Reply by Mikex on January 30, 2021 at 1:22am

I'm not convinced enough to buy it. It's way too expensive anyway, especially as it is dedicated. 

Permalink Reply by eddy on January 30, 2021 at 7:27pm

I've been studying Hitchcock a bit today (it's been raining all day...not much else to do on a Saturday). How does this sketch and signature look to you guys?  It's signed in ballpoint in a 1963 Dell paperback anthology of his stories. It has a Beckett LOA.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 30, 2021 at 9:08pm

If the photo is accurate I would avoid it because of the halo caused by the interaction of ink and paper. 

Permalink Reply by eddy on January 30, 2021 at 9:36pm

Here's another shot of it Eric....on the Beckett website. It definitely has a halo effect. I don't believe I've ever seen that before. The paper would be an old pulp style. Is that halo a common effect on cheaper paper?

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 30, 2021 at 10:00pm

It can be, but it can also be caused by iron in the ink etc. I have seen this effect on quality paper as well. Otherwise nice autographs are often refused by auction houses because of this. I would avoid it. Even if discounted, good prices fade but condition stays. If improperly stored this can worsen.

Permalink Reply by eddy on January 30, 2021 at 10:12pm

That's very interesting, thanks. I guess one thing in it's favor with the halo is that it's very apparent this wasn't a recent forgery.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 30, 2021 at 10:28pm

Yes, but I'd bet it can be duplicated.

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 30, 2021 at 10:42pm

The Dell pulp paper is rich with sulfur.

Permalink Reply by eddy on January 30, 2021 at 11:13pm

So it's the lead of the ink interacting over decades with the sulfer of the Dell pulp. At least it's not something drawn by a forger last week.  

Aside from all that, for reference, does it look good as a sketch and signature?  

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