Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 9, 2021 at 11:52am

It is so faded and with such low contrast I would not go any further.

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Permalink Reply by JK on December 9, 2021 at 12:08pm

It might just be my screen, but to me it looks like ballpoint pen. Some of the strokes appear impressed into the surface, and there are those blobs of ink in the B.

He lived until 1966 so he was in the ballpoint pen era. But that type of pen is a terrible candidate for framing and exposure to light. 

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on December 9, 2021 at 12:17pm

JK  -   I see what you mean about the blobs of ink.  Some of those thicker album pages also absorbed up the ink to begin with.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 9, 2021 at 1:02pm

Earlier ballpoint often had varnish in it, and can yellow to produce some odd colors depending on the substrate.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on December 9, 2021 at 1:40pm

Yes, I've seen that before, Eric.  You're right that there can be odd looking results over the passage of time.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Dimeo on December 9, 2021 at 9:35pm

I have studied Buster's autograph for many years as he falls into the category that is my expertise, silent film. I compare his signature to that of The Beatles as he is most commonly forged in the silent film world due to his simple and non-complex signature. With that being said I believe your Buster signature is authentic and portrays all the attributes you want to see with his autograph. I am posting a photo of my authentic signature that was obtained from Buster's good friend and fellow actor James Karen. The autograph was signed out in the rain during his time touring with Merton of the Movies. I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on December 9, 2021 at 10:15pm

Thanks, Nick.  

I certainly do agree with you about his signature being forged.  Doing an internet search of past items sold yields lots of really bad forgeries...even from auction houses and dealers who you would have hoped knew better.  

He's been an elusive one for me. 

Your piece is great just as it is!

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