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Permalink Reply by Cory Clarkson on April 5, 2019 at 8:29am

looks good to me

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Permalink Reply by Woody2Shoes on April 5, 2019 at 2:46pm

I understand your concern. Same as mine, I'll wager, the two piece "St". I can't say that I've ever seen an authentic Lee with a separate 'S' and 't' stroke, each letter standing alone.

Now this is a recent signature, and Lee was sometimes signing with his right hand when his left cramped up. So I don't want to rule out that being the case and his R.H. sig having slightly different characteristics, typically unseen, as in this case, but another misnomer here is placement. He started his sig seemingly too far to the left to center it well (center it well like all do when unconsciously signing their name, already knowing how much room they need before writing it), so that's another strike against it.

Those two observations made, it is a Lee signature style indicating a period from 2016 up, it is signed from an awkward position because it's a box, not flat, and no place to rest the palm comfortably, which for a 90+ year old can really pose to be a fly in the ointment.

It does have an overall authentic vibe even taking these things all into consideration.

I would have to conclude possibly authentic, but not by much. Maybe 55/45, just a peak over the fence, not by enough that I could comfortably authenticate it wholeheartedly.

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Permalink Reply by Craig Ellis on April 6, 2019 at 1:49am

Hi Woody,

Thank you very much for the time you have taken in your reply. I did think it wasn't going to be that simple. I think if i different marker had been used, you would be able to tell straight away. I have however learnt a lot from your reply.

I'm from the UK so there aren't many places or people you can get authentications from, would you advise spending £25/$30 to get it officially authenticated? 

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Permalink Reply by Woody2Shoes on April 6, 2019 at 2:37am

PSA will more than likely authenticate it. The odds of their green-lighting it is abundantly in your favor; like 80% or so that they will. It's the type of Lee, with certain characteristics, that they almost always green light, even though there are certain elements that might give other equally reputable authenticators pause (as mentioned).

I would have it authenticated because as many authenticated Lee sigs abound, there are 50 un-authenticated ones for every one authenticated! Of those 50, 49 are probably forgeries, that's how prevalent Lee forgeries are.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on April 5, 2019 at 3:32pm

Part of the challenge is the writing utensil. But even taking that into consideration, the relative height of the letters, slant etc. look consistent with his authentic signatures.  

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Permalink Reply by Craig Ellis on April 6, 2019 at 1:46am

I do agree, the choice of pen is horrendous and doesn't help at all. But thank you very much for your help.

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