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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 Lou reves on June 19, 2012 at 2:22pm: Just for the record they did not buy that jersey it was for show and ratings the guy who brought it in had it in his online store trying to sell it after that show aired.

Comment by CJCollector on June 19, 2012 at 2:51pm: True, Louis. A few days after the show aired (from what I remember) that pathetic Lou Gehrig forgery was back on the seller's website for sale. Remember also, that it was first sold by Coach's Corner Auctions (Scott Malack & Lee Trythall).

Comment by Brick Hunter on June 19, 2012 at 3:31pm: I wonder what percentage of the items shown on the program are actually bought. People who have been to the shop say all they do is basically sell Chumlee-signed mugs from the gift shop and the main guys are never actually there.

Just based on footage of the shop that they air which sometimes include signed items, one can see a lot of forgeries.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on June 19, 2012 at 4:14pm: I always thought STAT was an appropriate name for that company, considering how many people may have had heart attacks after finding out the truth about the autographs they bought with their COAs.

Comment by Steve Buchanan on February 27, 2013 at 4:40pm: Any store who has a guy like Chumlee working there is a place I wouldn't put too much faith in. The episode where Chumlee "Finds" Bob Dylan on the streets of Vegas was priceless. Dylan asks if he wants him to sign the record. Come on! One of the toughest living autographs and he asks if he wants one? The show is as fake as it comes.

Comment by Ian Baldock on February 27, 2013 at 5:16pm: Went to the store on a vegas trip this year,its half junk and half souveniers. I was told the "stars rarely are all out there except for filming when only a few customers are allowed in for backdrop.You can read more on tripadvisor. Vegas with all its "autograph" stores is definitely the forgery capital of the world!