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Kurt Vonnegut signature, real or fake?

Hey everyone,

Looking for help validating if this Kurt Vonnegut signature is real or fake. To me the "t" in Kurt doesn't match how I've seen his signature shown before, also the "g" to me looks like it has hesitation marks.

Here are some versions of his Easton Press Book signatures that are 100% confirmed as authentic.

Tags: Kurt, Vonnegut

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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on November 6, 2016 at 1:11pm

I only saw him once, and missed my chance at getting his autograph in-person, because I was talking with Harvey Keitel outside an awards dinner. I am in no way highly trained in the study of Kurt's autograph, but from the image here.....I can't possibly believe that there is someone out there that well versed in forging his autograph, nor do I believe there is a need for such person.

I give the piece in question.... a big thumbs up.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 6, 2016 at 1:24pm

Agreed on all counts. A bit smoother, a bit condensed horizontally, but there is so much there. Perhaps a bit smoother, a bit condensed horizontally, but much there. I just made this while Pete typed - click for full image:

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Permalink Reply by Peter Tucker on November 6, 2016 at 1:48pm

The signature in question comes from a book off of ebay, so I could see why the person might want to forge the signature. Also, what does flipping the signatures upside down and backwards do? I know nothing about authenticating signatures so I hope you'll excuse my ignorance if that's a stupid question.

Also would you guys be able to give me any other tell-tale signs on why it appears authentic?

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Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on November 6, 2016 at 2:04pm

Without being real specific,when the signatures are "turned around" (and I cant do it congrats Ecric). It can show glaring inconsistancies in the signature. The questioned signature looks reasonably close.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 6, 2016 at 2:11pm

Hello Peter,

I like most all questions, so no problems there. I examine autographs in this way sometimes to allow attention to be paid to form and volume, negative spaces, slants, attacks and spatial relationships without being hindered by the expected letter shapes in the name. I also viewed them all in negative to observe ink dispersal. Why it appears authentic - form and relationships/slants, angles of attack/incidence, and it appears non-hesitant and smooth. If you are uncomfortable with it, by all means move on to another - there seems no shortage.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on November 6, 2016 at 4:27pm

PS - Pardon the doubled text - edit was not working for some time and still it came out doubled. At first I could not add it in at all.

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Permalink Reply by Peter Tucker on November 6, 2016 at 6:52pm

Eric, I really appreciate your help. As you said there are a lot of copies of Vonnegut, but this was a first edition / first print - fine condition - signed copy of Slaughterhouse Five. I've shown a few other collectors and they have confirmed the books legitimacy as well. Thank you so much!