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The Insanity of modern "cut" signatures

Looking on eBay I have noticed a large number of "cut" signatures for sale by one or two companies. Now all of us probably have a few old "cut" signatures since this was standard practice in the nineteenth and up to mid-twentieth centuries. Today I see no earthly reason for them except in the case of a badly damaged letter or document. I have seen personal checks that have been cut and sold. What earthly purpose is that? If someone wants to frame the check just have it matted so only the signature appears. Frankly I think these companies are very shortsighted and I hope in future they will abandon their scissors and just sell the original untouched document. This preserves the history of the item and helps authenticate the signature.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on November 5, 2012 at 9:10am

Agreed. Cutting up documents for creating chase cards or whatever is a travesty and these cards should be rejected and shunned.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on November 7, 2012 at 7:18am

Thanks Mr. Zipper. As someone who collects autographs etc. I feel a sense of responsibility to care for that photograph, document etc for future generations. Why anyone would buy a "cut" signature from a personal check when often you can buy the whole check even cheaper is beyond insane.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on November 5, 2012 at 10:04am

Some of the things these trading card companies do is just ludicrous. Like the cards with a piece of Derek Jeter's jersey or a piece of Lebron's game used basketball. The ones that really kill me are the cards with a piece of Babe Ruths's bat or other now damaged vintage memorabilia. Shame on Topps, Upper Deck and all those other card companies who think it's okay to destroy vintage collectibles in the name of tacky, less desirable modern collectibles.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on November 7, 2012 at 7:14am

What I find incredible is if signatures can be so easy to forge how on earth can anyone tell for certain that piece of wood was from Babe Ruth's bat. I could buy a real Babe Ruth bat have all sorts of proof then cut up some vintage old bat to pawn off. I am waiting for them to start selling the saw dust from cutting up that bat. I would love to own a Babe Ruth bat but I have zero interest in owning a piece of it. Thanks for the comment!