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I  recently acquired a large book collection from the family of a man who was in the publishing business for many years. In the collection was a signed paper back copy of Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.  I don't think the autograph is real.  But included in the book was a slip of paper in the owners handwriting stating it was an autographed copy and his collection is filled with many legitimate autographed books.  I've asked the family and they don't know.  When I compare it to Salinger signatures online I don't see the resemblance very closely.  There is one Salinger letter on Ebay right now that is selling for 18,000 that has some similarities.  I'm looking for opinions - should I spend the money to see if it is real?  I appreciate any opinions or help you can give. Thank you.

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It doesn't appear to be similar to letters that he signed but who REALLY knows with him? He could have purposely signed letters one way and the books he did sign, could have signed them a totally different way. But ultimately it doesn't match as the TPAs would say "known exemplars."

Off topic slightly but I was fascinated to recently check google images for JD Salinger and see some newer pre-passing photos of him, though I'm sure it was probably someone who he knew very personally and the person or their family maybe promised not to publish until after J.D. passed. Because I did not see anything like it when image searching him for the years prior to his death.

Hi Jason, Thanks for your feedback.  I agree with your assessment.  The note that is being sold on Ebay currently has some similarities but I couldn't find any instance of his "D" being signed like my book.  If I had found it in any other collection I would have immediately thought it was fake but this collection has dozens of authentically signed books and the owner had left a note in the book saying it was an "autographed copy". Wishful thinking on my part I suppose!  Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Since it's personalized it could be a friend of the prev. owner and that friend may have known J.D. and he signed the autograph. For example, previous owner wants J.D.'s autograph, friend of each knows J.D. doesn't like to sign, friend says he will get it signed but forges J.D.'s autograph to make his friend happy and not bother J.D.

I know I'm grasping at straws but it seems more likely than J.D. is odd enough to sign letters more in print and sign a book with messy cursive.

I do wonder if there's really more signed material just in people's personal collections who continue to guard their friendship with J.D. The most fascinating thing I've read about him is that he regularly attended church fundraiser spaghetti dinners.

I had considered that as well or with so many fakes circulating it may have just been picked up under the assumption it was real and put up.  I bought a Sean Connery fake because I couldn't afford the real thing but I wanted to hang it with my authentic Roger Moore.  I guess someday it will disappoint whoever is in charge of my estate. I do appreciate the feedback.  I guess I can stop the plans of paying off my car!

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