Orson Welles - is this authentic?

This was sold as a handwritten telegram by Orson Welles.  However, the signature does not look like likely authentic examples I can find online.  However, a lot of writing on which to form an opinion as to whether this was written by Orson Welles or not.  My research leans toward "doubtful".  Thank you for taking a look and sharing your comments.

Views: 278

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by beardog1 on July 24, 2020 at 2:26pm

bump - Any opinions are appreciated.  Thank you for taking a look.

Permalink Reply by beardog1 on August 8, 2020 at 8:55am

bump - This is a nice item if it is real but I have doubts based on exemplars I can find online.  Appreciate opinions from others on this forum.  Thank you as always.  

Permalink Reply by Eric Goodman on August 8, 2020 at 7:49pm

Doesn't look like his handwriting.  Likely a secretarial transcription.  His cursive had a lot of breaks and this example has nearly every letter connected.  I didn't like the formation of "I" either.  

Here is a page from a Welles diary, also written in pencil.  

Link: https://arts.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/mc-image-cache/2...

Here's an ALS in black ink:

Page 1: https://image.invaluable.com/housePhotos/profilesinhistory/36/60733...

Page 2: https://image.invaluable.com/housePhotos/profilesinhistory/36/60733...

Permalink Reply by beardog1 on August 8, 2020 at 9:38pm

Eric - Thank you for taking a look and sharing your comments.  I especially appreciate the links to authentic examples.  I try to do research using examples on R&R, Heritage, and other resources so it is very helpful to have links to study and compare.

I can see your point about the disconnected letters versus the continuous flow.  In addition to your comment about the "I", I noticed in your first link he formed his small "e" as either an "e" or more of a backward "3" with no apparent pattern.  However, I did not see this in either my original example or the two additional links you provided so does not appear to be a definitive "tell".

It would be hard to tell if this was a secretarial or just someone who had access to vintage Western Union stationery creating a piece of fiction.  However, pretty clear it is not in Orson Welles' hand.  Thank you for your help with this item and taking the time to help me get better at authenticating.

RSS

© 2025   Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service