Boston Corbett- shot John Wilkes Booth

I just bought this in an ebay auction. I compared characteristics  with another definitely authentic item I found online and the script itself is that of Boston Corbett. Problem is, to my eye this appears to be printed even though the paper is yellowed and appears old. Maybe it's just the paper it is printed on. I can't tell. If so it would be a rather elaborate forgery. My cost was $199 with no other bidders.

Reference a Corbett autographed letter from Heritage Auctions dated July 13, 1878 just two weeks after mine.

http://historical.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=6034&lotIdNo=31003

The pen used is completely different. The ink on mine is much thicker. As I said,  it looks printed to me. Any comments or observations?

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Permalink Reply by Joe Alesi on October 7, 2013 at 1:34am

I uploaded my letter again dated  July 1, 1878 as a jpg file because the original was a tiff file and didn't open.  I deleted it . Also: I meant to say, maybe it's because of the type of paper it is written on. I hope it's not printed!

  Joe Alesi

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Permalink Reply by Chad B on October 9, 2013 at 12:56pm

I like the look of the Heritage item much more. It is hard (for me at least) to tell from a scan if it is printed or not. I'd send it to an expert for an opinion.

Permalink Reply by Joe Alesi on October 9, 2013 at 1:13pm

Thanks Chad. I'm uncertain what to do. Yesterday i took it around to some printing shops, antique dealers and an antiquarian bookstore with mixed results. None of course are experts. I know the adage "if it's too good to be true..." I'm awaiting a "quick opinion" from PSA.  I still have more than a week to return it. I definitely won't keep it without authentication, but I'd hate to send back the genuine item.

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