Fritz Lang signing in 1958

Here is a great photo of Fritz Lang behind the scenes with Joan Fontaine (in costume) from 1958's BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. Lang's work as a director and writer is a special interest of mine.

This item recently closed in an online auction. It's a great image...but I'm not certain of the signature which is described as in fountain pen.

For reference, I'm also attaching a 1958 Lang signature on a TLS which I like with no reservations.

What do members think of the photo signature?

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on October 3, 2024 at 9:13am

p.s. I've had one dealer/collector friend give the Lang signature on the photo above a thumbs down on a private exchange. Not good.

Anyone else?

Even if you don't know Lang, does the sig on the photo and the TLS from 1958 at all look like it's potentially from the same hand? I realize those two different writing surfaces and circumstances. I see elements in both that have some similarities but some that are not.

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Permalink Reply by KaiMi on October 3, 2024 at 11:13am

I don't believe in it. Seems too large for his usual style and too stretchedly written. What is that after the "i"? The "Lang" doesn't fit at all, especially the "g". Even as a rushed example I don't believe in it.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on October 3, 2024 at 11:20am

Hi Eddy,

there are a couple of signatures at RR that might be interesting in this context if you have not seen them.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on October 3, 2024 at 11:25am

Thanks! The more I look at the photo, the less I believe it's real. I think this is one of those where I wish it was since I love the image of him with Joan Fontaine!