Is my James Doohan autograph authentic?

[BlueMetroid]

Hey all, I wondered if I could get your thoughts on this...

My mom went to an estate sale and picked up an autographed photo of James Doohan. The estate had no knowledge of its origins and since they had no COA on it, my mom got it for $15. It came sealed in a cardboard frame-like box, and so far we have been able to tell that it was actually signed and not a reprint.

I've looked a few of his autographs up online and some match what I have and others don't. Did his signature change over the years? At any rate, here it is. I'd love opinions! Or if anyone knows a reputable place to authenticate autographs that would be great! Thanks

 

[Push The Button]

Handwriting and signatures do change as we age, mine certainly has. It is possible that all of the signatures that you have seen are authentic, despite appearing different from each other.

 

[EnriqueH]

I have that EXACT picture autographed, which he signed in front of me.

If I recall, the "James" looks exact, but I was instantly drawn to the "D" in "Doohan", which I think does look different than mine, but I'm not an expert.

Just curious: do you know when did he sign it?

 

[MacLeod]

Handwriting and signatures do change as we age, mine certainly has. It is possible that all of the signatures that you have seen are authentic, despite appearing different from each other.

As has my signature, esp. lately as there are very few occasions when I actually need to use my signature.

 

[Richard Baker]

Last time I bought a car I had to sign my name so many times I didn't even recognize it towards the end...

That signature does look authentic but there are experts who can, for a price, tell you for sure.

 

[martok2112]

And you have to consider that actors (especially signing at conventions) are practically wearing their hands out signing thousands of photos, books, and memorabilia in a year, and usually hundreds just at a single convention.

The signature looks pretty authentic to me, as I had several books and pieces of memorabilia signed by James Doohan personally....and this was around the time just before The Undiscovered Country's release. I met him again several years later, and he signed a couple more pieces of memorabilia for me. I could see minor differences in his signing.

 

[BlueMetroid]

Thanks for the opinions! I'm starting to feel pretty good about it being authentic! I think I will pay to have it checked out to ease my mind, but I've got to find a reputable place to have it checked.

As for when it was signed....I'm not sure. The box it came in was quite yellowed with age, and the photo itself looks like it could easily be from the early 90's.

 

[Eronai]

Looks good from the other samples I've seen online, but I understand you wanting to be sure! I read somewhere that James Doohan had a stamp made of his signature in later years as he found it difficult/painful to sign so many items.

It'll be interesting to hear what you find out. I picked up a second-hand copy of "I Am Spock" a few years ago from a small book shop, only £3 ... but it had Leonard Nimoy's signature in the front of it (I don't think the shop owner had realised). It looks like his from samples I've been online, but I'd love to know for sure whether or not it's genuine.

 

[1001001]

I got his autograph in person in 2002.

It looks nearly identical to yours, except he underlined his name from the "n".

 

[hux]

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qKcJF4fOPs[/yt]

 

[Kilana2]

What you don't know is, that hux is expert for graphology and calligraphy.