John Lee Hooker - SP and ALS - Authentic?

It was great to read threads and see authentic materials related to John Lee Hooker.  I would appreciate opinions on the attached photo and letter.

Based on other examples I have seen, I have doubts about the photo with these signatures seeming too fluid, nor have I seen any examples where he includes "Lee" in his signature.  I have found a few handwritten letters sold at auction which seem consistent with this handwriting and style but the signature is unlike any others I have seen including signing "Johnnie Lee Hooker". I know JLH was with Vee-Jay records and I love the content if this is authentic.

Would love to hear your comments.

Tags: JLH, John Lee Hooker

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Permalink Reply by marc e on February 16, 2019 at 11:16pm

first the letter is side ways so my neck hurts

the pic looks good but one thing I did him a lot in person and if I rember correctly he always just did the l instead of lee so  that throwing me off.

he has shitty writing  as u can see . see what other say if it was jhl john l hooker I would personly be more comfortable but other night be able to help

Permalink Reply by beardog1 on February 17, 2019 at 5:59am

Thank you, marc e.  Sorry about the sideways letter - I seem to be "image challenged" and am still trying to figure out how to confirm image is rotated before posting.

The "Lee" throws me too but feel better hearing this "may" be authentic.  Hope to build some consensus or get some good supporting or dissenting opinions.

Permalink Reply by Richard Booth on February 17, 2019 at 6:10am

I’m sorry, both the letter and photo are not authentic in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by beardog1 on February 17, 2019 at 6:35am

Thank you, Richard Booth.  I had concerns about both. 

Curious if there are specific "tells" especially in the letter.  I compared it to a similar letter sold by Heritage Auctions in their October 6-7, 2006, entertainment auction as Lot #21336 (link).  Definitely noted some differences but trying to be more informed.

Attachments: No photo uploads here
Permalink Reply by Richard Booth on February 17, 2019 at 6:39am

The letter is signed by his assistant or secretary. This is the case with JLH’s cheques, but he signed the bottom of the cheques.

Permalink Reply by beardog1 on February 17, 2019 at 6:47am

So, essentially the letter is written and signed by someone else on JLH's behalf?  Not a forgery, but more of a "secretarial"?  Makes sense JLH would not sign a letter but would sign checks in this scenario. Thank you for the additional information.

Permalink Reply by marc e on February 17, 2019 at 10:12am

Richard what didn't u like on the photo.  Thanks

Permalink Reply by J.Seah on February 17, 2019 at 7:43am

John Lee Hooker long time assistant is on The forum. She sold some autograph pics on the forum a while ago.

Maybe she can chime in if she is still here. 

Permalink Reply by Tacoma Blues on February 17, 2019 at 12:33pm
I am a bit uncomfortable with both. I have never seen Hooker spell out his middle name. There is a smoothness to the signed name on the picture that is not consistent with other signatures I have seen. The letter is definitely not his hand handwriting throughout the body of the note
Permalink Reply by marc e on February 17, 2019 at 2:40pm

Hoping u would chime in to coma. Correct. I John alot in person and saw his middle name spelled out

Permalink Reply by beardog1 on February 17, 2019 at 3:08pm

Thank you, Tacoma Blues.  I am overwhelmed by the breadth of resources and depth of knowledge in this community.

Seems we share concerns about "smoothness" and "Lee" in SP.  Also, per Richard Booth's note on ALS, seems letters were generally written by assistant and NOT signed by JLH.  Wondering if this letter looks like a typical correspondence from an assistant or if it is an unrelated fake.

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