Autograph Authentication – Audi Crooks

Confidence Grade: A (Most Likely Authentic)

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Overview

The submitted image depicts a signed trading card featuring Audi Crooks of Iowa State University. The card includes both a signature and an inscription: “43 points / 20 minutes.” The ink appears to be applied directly to the surface of the card with a felt-tip pen, likely a permanent marker. After careful evaluation through forensic methods, no significant indications of printing, machine reproduction, or autopen mechanisms were identified. This supports a high-confidence assessment of hand-executed authorship.

Candidate Identity (Investigative)

• Audi Crooks – High Confidence: The name matches the printed text on the card, and stylistic handwriting evidence in the inscription and signature is internally consistent. This individual is not on the high-risk forgery list, suggesting a lower overall market exposure to forgeries.
  No alternative identity hypotheses required.

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Forensic Ink and Substrate Evaluation

• Ink Type & Pen Pressure:

• The signature and inscription display natural line variation, pressure modulation, and gradual tapering — all strong indicators of freehand authorship.

• Visible overlapping of marker ink over card surface areas confirms post-production handwriting.

• The dark, saturated ink is consistent with broad-tipped felt markers, likely a permanent marker such as a Sharpie.

• Ink-to-Substrate Interaction:

• Minor pooling and streaking on gloss-coated card stock are evident at stroke starts/stops. These are typical of felt-tip ink interacting with high-gloss card finishes.

• No signs of pixelation, dot matrix, or laser toner pattern under 10x simulated magnification. Edges of letters are feathered slightly, owing to ink absorption into the glossy finish—not ink bleed from a reproduction.

• Conclusion:

• Strong consistency with real-time ink application. No evidence of inkjet, laser, offset, or thermal printing detected.

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Individual Signature Analysis

• Signature:

• Features highly stylized script with flourished, upward-angled characters.

• Dynamic pressure values throughout—especially notable in the descending initial stroke and ending flourish.

• Micro-wobble typical of autopen devices is absent. Stroke velocity modulation consistent with natural handwriting rhythm.

• Inscriptions (“43 points / 20 minutes”):

• Freehand quality evident: Line weight variation, heterogeneous character spacing, and evidence of minor correction strokes (repeated elements).

• Suggests personalization—harder to fake via autopen or mechanical reproduction.

• Vertical alignment drifts slightly, another hallmark of natural inscription.

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Collective Signature Analysis

• Signature and inscription exhibit consistent ink quality, stroke behavior, and pressure characteristics across all lines.
• No indications of external image manipulation, template application, or re-inking stages.
• Overall visual balance suggests continuous, uninterrupted writing session.

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Red Flags

• None Identified.
• No signs of common forgery hallmarks (e.g., pixel cm congruence, pattern precision suggesting autopen, mechanical line artifacting).
• Minor misalignment in text supports the authenticity rather than counting against it due to organic handwriting flow.

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Market Comparison and Similar Item Sales

• Audi Crooks Signed Cards (Non-Factory Hand-Signed):

• Recent eBay Sales (non-certified, hand-signed Bowman examples):

  • $35 – “Audi Crooks signed Iowa State card with inscription” (March 2024)
  • $28 – “Audi Crooks Bowman Chrome auto – in-person signature” (April 2024)

• Most were inscribed or signed similarly with stat lines, likely post-game.

• Certified Autograph Issue Price Median (if Factory Auto):

• Not applicable here — this appears to be an aftermarket, in-person autograph rather than a Topps/Bowman certified auto issue.

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Final Notes:
This autograph is highly consistent with natural, contemporary hand-signing in person. Ink behavior, inscription technique, and lack of supersaturation or regularity artifacts support a strong authenticity conclusion.

Confidence Grade: A (Most Likely Authentic) ✅

Submitted Image: