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Andy Griffith 5x7 photo with signature - opinion?

I'm auctioning several signed items from a collector's estate on behalf of the collector's family. Some are almost certainly genuine (inscribed to the collector), some are obvious reprints, and some I'm not certain about. None have COAs. I'm hoping to get opinions on the uncertain items.

Here's #1:

Andy Griffith 5x7 photo (circa 1984) with what appears to be a hand-signed autograph in blue ballpoint pen (there's a pen impression on the back). The signature does closely resemble known Griffith signatures online, but there appears to be an odd combination of wobbliness and uniformity of pressure that makes me wonder about the authenticity of the signature. Perhaps that odd appearance reflects the difficulty of writing with a ballpoint pen on a glossy print. And I have read that Griffith's signature became shaky because of illness and/or age.

Photos attached. Click to zoom. (Ignore the watermark -- I added it to discourage copying.)

Opinions?

Thanks!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on May 24, 2021 at 7:17pm

That presents as a mechanical contrivance.

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Permalink Reply by Wallaby on May 24, 2021 at 8:00pm

Thanks! I agree, it looks mechanical. Better than the Nimoy, but still oddly unnatural.

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Permalink Reply by David Lewis on June 1, 2021 at 4:22pm

Wallaby, I heard back in the day Griffiths manager had the ability to have a very similar signing ability…..Griffith liked his privacy….I do have a 1961 in person that is similar to your much later SP…..what are the chances of yours being authentic……in my humble opinion, not real.

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Permalink Reply by Wallaby on June 1, 2021 at 4:28pm

Thanks for the historical insights.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on June 1, 2021 at 5:22pm

Here. Preprint/Autopen. 1 minute Google. Same matrix.

Image 11 - ANDY GRIFFITH ACTOR/AUTOGRAPHED 5" x 7" Original Sepia PHOTO- Sheriff Mayberry

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Permalink Reply by Wallaby on June 1, 2021 at 5:41pm

Thanks. That seals it. I don't know how I missed it in my original search. Lots of similar examples.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on June 1, 2021 at 5:43pm

You are welcome. Like Gleason, this man did not sign much of anything. Search for 5x7's - those are often stamps or Autopens. In the 1930's/40's 80% of 5x7's were secretarial.