Judy Garland signature real or phony?

I would like to solicit opinions as to whether the signature in the attached photo is actually that of Judy Garland. It does seem possible to me. For one thing, the signature is on a menu from the ocean liner USS United States, and the menu is dated 10/7/57 (on a separate page). Miss Garland is known to have been on board this ocean liner on the date of this particular menu. There is at least one photo publicly available of Miss Garland sitting at her table in the dining room of the USS United States during this particular voyage.

That alone seems to be pretty strong evidence. Menus can be copied, but it appears to show all the signs of being 62 years old. In any case, the signature itself is the primary issue. Is it legitimate? I would appreciate any thoughts...

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 10, 2019 at 9:31am

Yes.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Casey on September 10, 2019 at 9:42am

Thank you for your valued opinion, Keith. Since the item has already been purchased by me, I was beginning to have paranoid thoughts as to how someone might reproduce a menu from 1957. I've also been warned many times that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Your reply will help me sleep a little easier tonight!

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Permalink Reply by Pete on September 21, 2019 at 9:42pm

So real I wish I had it.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Casey on September 24, 2019 at 9:57pm

Pete, I am glad that you also believe it to be genuine. I am no expert, but the circumstance of the date of the menu and the trip that Garland took at exactly that time seems to be pretty strong corroborative evidence as well. I do feel lucky. But I am sure your next find is waiting just around the corner!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 24, 2019 at 10:04pm

The corroborating date is nice, but those circumstances can easily be looked up, vintage menu's purchased and provenance created. It's secondary at best. What really matters is her hand..and that certainly appears to be hers. Can you post a much larger high res scan?

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 24, 2019 at 10:28pm

The signature fits in quite nicely for the year 1957 (not too long after and her baseline starts to go), and with the current popularity of this the S.S.US and the Conservancy with its attempt to save it makes it a very interesting item with crossover interest (I am also an Ocean Liner Dealer). If you have interest in the ship and its glamorous history I strongly recommend a book by a dear late friend of mine, S.S. United States by John Maxtone Graham.

Edit to add: I have friends who have complete rooms decorated with this ship - rugs, lighting, paneling, furniture and so on and they would love to have such items on the walls.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Casey on September 24, 2019 at 11:21pm

Sounds like you have a number of connections to this piece which would be helpful in researching it. I have done a lot of amateur sleuthing myself online, and so I think I have a good grasp of where the date falls in her career, especially events immediately prior to and after the voyage. A piece like this sets the imagination off and running. I am eager to for any historical details related to this piece. In the course of researching, I did come across information about the efforts to repurpose the ship. I sincerely hope those efforts meet with success. I heard that plans include a possible museum to house artifacts from the ship's history, and perhaps the signed menu would make an interesting exhibit. I am investigating the best method of preserving this item until the time comes. Meanwhile, I will certainly check out the book by Mr. Graham.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 24, 2019 at 11:46pm

Here is a YouTube link to a video aboard the S.S.US that has John and his wife Mary in it ) He was a great man - I knew him for about 20 years. He was a Broadway Stage Manager earlier - worked with Welles, Davis, Bankhead etc. Fascinating man I miss very much.

John MG on the S.S.US