IMPORTANT!
PLEASE READ:
Collecting autographs can be very rewarding -- yet very risky. Unless
you get them in person (yourself), you just never know if they're authentic
or not. There are many dealers out there who knowingly or unknowingly
sell bogus autographs. To be on the safer side, choose reputable dealers
who are members of the UACC (look for that distinction, but don't rely
just on that!) or can show proof that the autograph is legit. Be very
wary of most of the autographs on online auctions like ebay.com!
WORD: Always ask where/when the item was signed if in doubt. If
you can't get that question answered, and "a dealer I always deal with"
is not acceptible, then pass up the item. You'll find what you're looking
for eventually. A "Certificate of Authenticity" (COA) DOES NOT
PROVE IT'S AUTHENTIC! Often, the fancier the COA is, the worse the
actual product is.
These old words
of advice stand true here: If it's too good to be true....!
Now,
I'm not an expert, but over the years I have learned what a few
of these things should look like. Usually. Sometimes. Maybe. Look below
for some of my findings....
Here are examples of real autographs from a copy of John "Paulie"
Martino's Godfather shooting script:
(clockwise, from top left) Al Pacino, Al Martino, Robert Duvall, Gianni "Carlo" Russo, John "Paulie" Martino, Oaktree Prod Asst. Dir Fred Gallo, James Caan, Alex "Moe Green" Rocco, Francis Coppola. |
Here are a few that you may run into, like I have:
AL PACINO
AL PACINO - probably secretarial (fake)
This is the signature that may be returned to you if you write to Pacino in the mail -- it's likely a "secretarial" because his first and last names are spelled out. But I do know for a fact that Al does spell his first name like "All" with those loops (see authentic version w/ cast above), but that is easily faked.
AL PACINO - via Snail Mail
I sent this photo to Al's address and it was returned with this signature. I am not 100% certain about its authenticity as Al's signature is easily faked. It's signed "All" also, but the last name isn't spelled out. This is likely secretarial, but I'm not certain.
AL PACINO - supposedly authentic
This one I bought from a reputable UACC dealer. It is "guaranteed" authentic, and obtained "in person" by a third-party dealer in New York City. This looks nothing like any other example I've seen elsewhere, but the dealer stands by his word. I don't know, and I doubt it.
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AL PACINO - authentic, in-person scribbleI got this one in-person myself after seeing this awesome play in 1996. It's just a scribble because he was running around signing everything. He even shook my hand! :) Al is a great scribbler in-person if you see him after a play or on a movie set. Just don't buy one of these easily-faked sigs unless you trust the guy selling it. |
AL PACINO - auto-penned?
This is the signature you'll see all over the online auctions. It comes with a COA* from Hollywood Dreams who swear on their lives about these. They told me that their autographed photos are sold nationwide through a major chain store and they couldn't afford to deal in bogus stuff. Well, perhaps. But every single example I see of these are virtually identical to each other, and unlike others I've seen elsewhere. I may be wrong, but I can't picture Al signing 1000s of these photos over his morning coffee. I think these are auto-penned. (*Certificate of Assumption)
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AL PACINO - also supposedly authenticThese are also supposedly authentic, in-person autographs seen elsewhere on the web. They can be real, of course. These show yet another style of signature. I sure would like to know definitely which of all the above examples are real. |
MARLON BRANDO
MARLON BRANDO - supposedly authentic
This one (at left) I saw on a dealer's website. The guy later told me it now hangs on his wall, after he figured out he cannot replace it. Brando is notoriously a difficult signer, especially as time goes by.
I did buy a 1954 menu signed by Marlon Brando which I am 100% confident in. It is from the "Ile de France" luxury liner of the old French Line CGT fleet. It's apparently also signed by 40s actress Patricia Knight, in the same ink color. The rest of the signatures -- I believe -- are non-celebrity passengers who are congratulating "Billie Clarke" who may be the president of an answering service out West. I'm still researching this item.
I also recently got
this "guaranteed" signed
photo which I'm pretty sure about, but not 100%. I'm still working
on it. The sig looks sloppy, but I guess that can be expected. The seller
assured me that his relative got it while he was working as a crew member
on one of his films. When I find out more, I'll post it here.
ROBERT DE NIRO
ROBERT DE NIRO - supposed secretarial (fake)
This one I bought at a memorabilia show, but shortly returned after finding out that it was "not authentic" by a reputable dealer. This is supposedly the signature that will be returned to you if you write to De Niro in the mail. I was told by the dealer that it is inauthentic, although it seems to look similar to some of the ones below. I don't know much about De Niro sigs, so your guess is as good as mine for now. Here are a few I've seen on the web. I would assume that the ones signed w/ other actors may be more likely authentic, but who knows:
MARIO PUZO
MARIO PUZO - authentic
This one is authentic, inscribed in my copy of The Godfather novel. I have many more, obtained in-person myself. I see Puzo sigs often on the web, and they've all looked real to me.
JAMES CAAN
JAMES CAAN - secretarial / autopenned?
This signature was returned to me when I wrote to him. I suspect this is likely a secretarial although a dealer selling these claims they are authentic. I just can't imagine James Caan signing 1000s of these so neatly -- and differently -- than his standard sig (below).
JAMES CAAN - likely authentic
This signature is the real one, identical to the one with the cast at top. This is the one I'd buy, not the one above.
AL MARTINO
AL MARTINO - authentic
This one is authentic, personally obtained in-person myself. When he has more time to sign, he does complete his surname (see cast signings above).
MICHAEL V. GAZZO
MICHAEL V. GAZZO - authentic
This one was authenticated via email for me by his son
