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Johnny Carson

Found this today on eBay. The seller was honest and said he really didn't know if it was authentic or not. I know it's probably 95% a print or autopen, but I bought it for the slight chance it may be good when I actually see it. I figured I'm not out much if it's not authentic. Has anyone else seen this before? Does anyone know if he used an autopen this early in his career?

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on April 7, 2017 at 12:24am

Hello,

To me that has the typical appearance of a very early 1960's Autopen. That indent, that ink color, the lack of inscription and the 5x7 size combined with the odd breaks ("J"), jagged appearance and strange "Morse Code" trail off say "Autopen" to me.

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Permalink Reply by Mupplvr on April 7, 2017 at 12:31am

On his What's My Line appearance, he did the same break in the J on the chalkboard

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on April 7, 2017 at 1:15am

Yes, but as an Autopen template is generally made from an authentic signature, the template would have the same break as an authentic signature. The overall appearance here seems problematic. I haven't seen a match for this signature - but that really looks like an Autopen.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on April 7, 2017 at 2:35pm

I do not believe that is hand signed, and it does not look like Johnny Carson's signature, at least the one's I have seen.

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Permalink Reply by Mupplvr on April 7, 2017 at 3:34pm

Thanks Terrier8HOF - True it doesn't look like most Carson's, but I believe it to be a sign of his younger hand, and there aren't many examples out there unfortunately

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Permalink Reply by Robert Chase on April 7, 2017 at 4:17pm

Looks like a classic embossed facsimile

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on April 7, 2017 at 4:22pm

Embossed signature - not Autopen - thanks Robert.

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Permalink Reply by Mupplvr on April 10, 2017 at 11:26am

Can you point me to another example on the net that I can compare it to? Or more info on this type of signature? Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Mupplvr on April 7, 2017 at 8:20pm

Even if it does turn out to be embossed, it's pretty cool to me. Haven't seen it anywhere before.

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Permalink Reply by Mupplvr on April 10, 2017 at 11:40am

Well, I have it in my hands and I still genuinely cannot tell. I can say this - The reverse is completely flat, but you can spot a small ink mark showing through on the baseline of the "C" in Carson (on the reverse of the photo). Still puzzled...