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Pawn Stars, Drew Max (Forensic Document Examiner), Bram Stoker Signed "Dracula" Book

On September 9, 2011 the Pawn Stars reality show aired a segment in which they were offered a Bram Stoker signed "Dracula" book.

Corey (the same guy that purchased that ridiculously-funny Lou Gehrig signed jersey) was excited about purchasing the "Dracula" book signed by the author himself, Bram Stoker.

So Corey calls in "his buddy" Drew Max, Forensic Document Examiner, to examine the Bram Stoker signature. Mr. Max pulls out his Hubble-sized magnifying glass and begins to examine the signature of Bram Stoker. Below is the Bram Stoker signature from the show.

Now let's examine the above signature. The first item I notice is the shaky "B" in "Bram." The second red flag that hits me is the width of space between the vertical lines of the "B."

The overall spacing of the entire signature is way off and it is very slowly drawn.

The biggest red flag is the brown-colored ink. This, in my opinion, should have brought up a red flag immediately to Mr. Max and his "forensic curiosity." Brown ink is used to emulate "aged ink." Also, the angle of the "S" in "Stoker" is too vertical.

A quick review. How is it possible that Drew Max, with his Hubble-sized magnifying glass, did not notice the shaky "B," the overall totally wrong spacing of the letters and the brown ink?

In my opinion, the Bram Stoker signed "Dracula" book sold on the Pawn Stars reality show is not authentic.

And one more point. Mr. Drew Max commented that the value of the Bram Stoker signed "Dracula" book is valued at between $4,000 and $5,000. From what I understand an authentic Bram Stoker signed "Dracula" book is valued at a minimum of $15.000 plus.

[Steve Cyrkin: Here's a side-by-side comparison of the Pawn Stars Bram Stoker and the Heritage Auction one uploaded below from February 2006:]

Tags: Drew Max, Heritage Auctions, PSA/DNA, autograph, brams stoker, pawn stars

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Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 25, 2011 at 3:28pm: I should add that one of the Drew max pieces has 11 Hall of Famers on it and the other is Muhammad Ali. In Drew Max's 2005 SCD "Authenticating the Authenticators" interview, I recall that he said he spends 15 to 30 minutes an autograph, so that was one long day.

Comment by CEE GEE on September 25, 2011 at 4:43pm: That Mantle is just nuts Chris...you guys should see the FORGERIES I spoted across the street from Yankee Stadium this weekend....some horrific Mantle's Not sure if Max authentica ted any but they were fakes all the same....why by an authentic piece from the Steiner sports outlet in the stadium....when you can get a garbage fake across the street for half price....I will be posting them this week....

Comment by Steve Zarelli on October 4, 2011 at 5:12pm: It's sad that a show like Pawn Stars gives him this legitimacy. Pawn Stars has a huge viewership and I'm sure most of them have taken the forensic document examiner and his COA's at face value because he's on the show.

This is true... I have seen some sellers use the Max / Pawn Star connection to help market their item. To the casual buyer, this is probably a huge stamp of legitimacy.

Comment by Steve Zarelli on October 4, 2011 at 5:15pm: By the way...

I cry foul and copyright infringement!!!

Some months ago, on this message board (or maybe Net 54) I believe I coined the phrase "Drew Max, and his magnifying glass with the biggest lens this side of the Hubble telescope."

I thought it witty at the time, but no one seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.

I want my royalty check!! :-)

LOL

Comment by CJCollector on October 4, 2011 at 5:28pm: Check is in the mail, Mr. Zipper.

Comment by Steve Zarelli on October 4, 2011 at 5:31pm: LOL

Comment by Steve Zarelli on October 4, 2011 at 5:34pm: By the way, I'm glad you started this thread.

My wife and I were watching this episode when it aired and I paused the DVR on the signature. She asked me if it was real.

I told her I didn't know the first thing about Bram Stoker's signature, but the flow sure looked tentative and the first letter was especially labored. Glad to see I am not the only one who had that reaction.

Comment by CJCollector on October 4, 2011 at 5:54pm: I emailed the store about that Bram Stoker signed Dracula book and, of course, no response.

Comment by CJCollector on October 4, 2011 at 6:15pm: The below sold on Coach's Corner Auctions. Certified as genuine by Drew Max, Forensic Document Examiner.

Comment by Steve Zarelli on October 5, 2011 at 5:56am: My God.

Look at the slowly labored loops on the Mantle. Look at that shaky and slow Robinson.

Perhaps the FDE needs a refresher course on concepts such as "flow" and "speed."