Autograph Authentication – Governor William Sulzer

Confidence Grade: C (Likely NOT Authentic)

Overview

This document is a typed speech or article titled “An Appeal to Save the American Eagle,” attributed to William Sulzer, former Governor of New York (1913). A handwritten signature appears in the bottom-right corner of the page. The image indicates this is a copy (annotated visibly in the upper right margin).

The signature has undergone thorough forensic inspection under simulated 10x magnification for stroke dynamics, ink-substrate behavior, reproduction artifacts, and consistency with handmade signatures versus known reproduction methods.

Candidate Identity (Investigative):
Governor William Sulzer is the named autographer via contextual attribution. Based strictly on image evidence and without assuming identity:

• William Sulzer – High confidence: Signature shares slanted, loop-bottom “S” and sharp lean, consistent with exemplar Sulzer signatures from official documents in the 1910s. The character forms and rhythm match known samples.
• No other plausible candidates detected.

Since signature morphology is congruent with a single known autographer, assessment proceeds under William Sulzer.

Forensic Ink and Substrate Evaluation

• Substrate: The paper appears to be mid-weight typewriter-compatible stock with visible aging and consistent tone along the fiber matrix. Typewriter artifacting includes varied inking and imprint embossment, indicating physical typing on original or first-generation carbon copy paper.

• Ink Properties (Signature):

• The signature displays limited pressure variation—line weight is moderately uniform, with unexpectedly smooth arcs.

• Ink sits atop the paper fibers (not bleeding into them), suggestive of toner or mechanical reproduction rather than wet ink intercalation.

• Edges reveal slightly fuzzy transitions under enlargement, matching characteristics of inkjet or low-res photocopy toner dispersion.

• Anomalies:

• No visible pen indentations beneath the paper in signed area (should be expected in wet-ink autographs).

• Lack of entry/exit pressure tapering on strokes such as the “S” in “Sulzer.”

Conclusion: The ink-substrate relationship lacks credible evidence of being hand-applied. It shows indicators consistent with photographic or inkjet reproduction.

Individual Signature Analysis

• Shape and Style:

• Letterforms stylistically consistent with known signatures of William Sulzer.

• Flow and shape reproduce convincingly the distinctive “S,” “z,” and connecting loops.

• Forensic Signature Metrics:

• Line Uniformity: Unnaturally consistent stroke thickness.

• Pressure Variation: Missing—no thick-to-thin transitions or hesitations expected in genuine ink-based signatures.

• Stroke-End Behavior: No tapering or angular lift-off; ends appear clipped, suggesting printing.

• Stroke Dynamics: No observable tremor or micro-corrections typical of live handwriting.

Conclusion: While stylistically well-formed, execution metrics suggest mechanical reproduction rather than a freehand signature.

Collective Signature Analysis

This document contains only one apparent signature—William Sulzer’s—positioned to suggest authenticity of a personal endorsement. However:

• No inscription or contextual linking phrase (e.g., “Sincerely,” “Yours”) that would often accompany live autographing.
• Placement is “neatly fitted” and overlaps awkwardly with the clean margin—possibly a compositional overlay or pre-printed asset.

As a whole, the document’s physical composition behaves more like a replica copy or typewritten handout with a reproduced image of a genuine signature, rather than a document that was physically signed.

Red Flags

1. “Copy” Annotation: Visible handwritten “Copy” at top, suggesting this is not the original but a reproduced document.
2. Ink Non-Penetration: Repetitive, smooth, and surface-bound character of signature ink indicates laser/copier or inkjet patterning.
3. Uniform Strokes: Stroke thickness is extremely consistent, lacking pressure variability of manual penwork.
4. No Entry/Exit Dynamism: Missing tapered ends and natural rhythm changes of a human signer.
5. Historical Mismatch Risk: If signed before or during Sulzer’s tenure, the ink medium should potentially show dip/fountain pen feathering—none is detected.

Market Comparison and Similar Item Sales

Due to compositional concerns and reproduction indicators, comparisons provided are of similar item types only:

• Typed Political Statements with Original Sulzer Signature (Authenticated)

• RR Auction (2019): Typed Letter Signed by William Sulzer as Governor —$325 USD

• University Archives (2020): Typed Correspondence with Governing Seal and Signature —$400 USD

• Reproduced or Facsimile Political Pamphlets (Unsigned or Copy Signed)

• eBay and Heritage: Political leaflets attributed to Sulzer —$20–$50 USD, explicitly sold as “Period Copy” or “Reproduction”

Note: The current item, if authenticated as a genuine hand-signed original, would command higher value. However, reproduction evidence places it closer to the bottom tier of this market.

Final Assessment

While the signature bears visual similarity to authentic examples and the historical context is persuasive, the forensic ink behavior and lack of physical signature dynamics strongly suggest reproduction. Particularly concerning are the “Copy” notation, consistent line width, and non-reactive ink behavior on paper.

Final Verdict: Signature is visually similar to William Sulzer’s hand but is most likely mechanically or photographically reproduced.

Confidence Grade: C (Likely NOT Authentic)

Submitted Image:

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