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Whose Signature is This - 20-year Itch

Please help me solve this puzzle.

It has been an itch I have been unable to scratch for between 15 to 20 years.

I have tried various other forums over the years without success. I have occasionally spent hours at a time over the years internet trawling to no effect.

Context: on the title page of a book by P.K. Dick. Published posthumously - it's not him. In my experience, I would say that less than one in 10k book owners will write their ownership info on a book in this way - I am not having it as an explanation. And the stamp? I emailed the publisher - no joy.

Someone, somewhere, may have a clue.....?

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Permalink Reply by Jason H on May 12, 2023 at 3:48pm

Probably an extreme Longshot but maybe ask the seller of this ebay listing I will link below. He claims to be one of the authors of the book he listed and their may be a chance he would have more knowledge and can help out

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175715590576?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkri...

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Permalink Reply by Findbooks on May 12, 2023 at 4:43pm

After all this time I´ll try anything - thanks a bunch! Will update.

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Permalink Reply by Findbooks on May 14, 2023 at 12:56pm

No reply - some sellers just have no idea about customer service these days - lol!

It's time to get serious.

I will offer a reward.

Anyone who can assist me with this enquiry leading to a successful conclusion will win........a.....BOOKPLATE, signed by.........COLIN DEXTER! Author of the Inspector Morse series.

It's inscribed - "to Brian" (or is it "Kevin" - I think it might be Kevin) but anyway, a Great Prize! Free, gratis.

I swear that if I have to take this to the grave I will be coming back. It won't be fun.

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Permalink Reply by JK on May 14, 2023 at 5:06pm

I'm.assiming the rubber stamp is the person's last name initial, but I can't even make that out.

If I had to guess I'd say the last letter of the name could be an x.

I know you don't want to think it's an owner's mark but that is still your hest bet.

Even less common than book owners marking their books is celebrities using a rubber stamp in addition to their signature. Chops are more common in Asia. James Michener often used one in his later years, but I'm not aware of anyone else.