Autograph Authentication – Al Pacino

Confidence Grade: D (Very Likely NOT Authentic)

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Overview

The submitted image displays a Goodfellas promotional poster bearing six signatures, purportedly including Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and others. The analysis was undertaken with a magnification process approximating 10x through high-resolution zooming and micro-detail inspection.

Given that the subject of authentication was labeled “Al Pacino,” but this poster pertains to Goodfellas (which did not star Al Pacino), there is a contextual discrepancy from the outset. The poster features signatures visually matched to the actors depicted and credited: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and potentially Martin Scorsese or other contributors.

Candidate Identity (Investigative)

An independent evaluation of each signature was conducted. None of the visible autographs match known exemplars of Al Pacino. Therefore:

• No reliable identity match; analysis proceeds under Unknown.

Due to this, the authentication is assessed based purely on forensic examination, without assuming any specific signer’s exemplar.

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Forensic Ink and Substrate Evaluation

Substrate (Medium): Glossy photographic-style marketing poster (standard for film memorabilia).

Ink Characteristics:

• Ink Type: The strokes are executed with various silver ink markers, commonly used on glossy surfaces due to contrast and visibility.
• Pressure Sensitivity: Certain signatures demonstrate moderate pressure fluctuations (e.g., varying stroke thickness on downstrokes), which can indicate manual execution.
• Ink Adhesion: However, the silver ink appears to sit very flatly and uniformly on the poster’s surface, with an unnatural consistency suggestive of robotic or mechanical application in certain areas.
• No Smudging/Bleeding: The ink edges are remarkably clean for metallic markers, which typically exhibit slight pooling or feathering under hand pressure. This absence could suggest print or reproduction.

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Individual Signature Analysis

Each signature on the poster was examined individually:

Signature 1 (Top Left – Possibly Ray Liotta)

• Features: Heavy silver ink, minimal stroke variation.
• Concerns: Extremely uniform line width and rounded stroke joins suggest a template-based pen plot, typically seen in autopen signatures.

Signature 2 (Center Top – Possibly De Niro)

• Features: Unique loop structures and angular transitions.
• Concerns: Mechanical stroke uniformity observed on descending lines; no observable tapering or lift. Signs align with autopen or print tracking.

Signature 3 (Top Right – Possibly Joe Pesci)

• Features: Upright capitalized flow, distinct “J” loop.
• Concerns: Lack of fluidity—abrupt curvature transitions that deviate from natural handwriting velocity.

Signature 4 (Bottom Center – Large Loopy Style)

• Features: Fuller strokes, distinctively stylized.
• Concerns: This signature features exaggerated theatricality that is often seen in forged display pieces. More importantly, certain curves exhibit unusual targeting artifacts (slight pixel uniformity under enhanced zoom), hinting at digitally printed overlay.

Signature 5 (Lower Center – Thin Silver Script)

• Features: Thinned strokes, lower pressure hints.
• Concerns: Almost perfect stroke width consistency. No ink pooling under overlaps—marks of either vector generation or laser printing.

Signature 6 (Bottom Right – Possibly “Scorsese”?)

• Features: Slightly more natural motion and tapering at ends.
• Concerns: This is one of the few examples to show modest stroke tapering, suggesting potential authenticity. However, it remains compromised by contextual suspicion of the entire item.

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Collective Signature Analysis

As a set, the signatures raise multiple red flags:

• Atypical mirror consistency in stroke intensity and sharpness.
• No visible ink lift anomalies, hesitation marks, or acceleration variance, which are typical in legitimate free-hand signatures.
• The uniform application across all six signatures, despite variances in names and styles, suggests a single-point mechanical reproduction.
• Under 10x simulated zoom, pixel-level alignment and ink borders exhibit replication artifacts found in digitally printed or autopen signatures.

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Red Flags

• Contextual Conflict: Al Pacino is not associated with Goodfellas. His name’s inclusion introduces misalignment (possibly misrepresented as a seller’s lure).
• Autopen/Printed Indicators: Multiple signatures show template-congruent curvature, unrealistically consistent pen pressure, and lack of natural pen lift or feathering.
• Ink Consistency Abnormalities: Metallic marker behavior does not congruently match known signed memorabilia—no pooling, no smearing, zero hand jitter signs.
• Poster Saturation in Market: The Goodfellas cast-signed posters (especially with all lead actors) are known to be mass-faked, commonly using autopen machines or pre-printed overlays.
• Signature-Image Misalignment: Some signatures clash with human figure outlines unnaturally (e.g., overlapping suit lines perfectly without curvature modification), suggesting possible applied image print layer.

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Market Comparison and Similar Item Sales

Due to uncertainty surrounding actual signer identities, only general comps are included:

• Screen-matched signed Goodfellas Poster (Beckett Authenticated): ~$1,200 – includes verified Ray Liotta, De Niro, Pesci, and Scorsese. (Auction reference: Heritage, Lot #89234, 2022)
• Mass-produced replica posters with printed sigs: Commonly flood eBay – pricing ranges $25-$100. Almost all are unsigned or pre-printed.
• Verified De Niro single signed 8×10 photo: $200–$450, depending on provenance (PSA or JSA).
• Autopen multi-signed mob film collages: Typically detected via PSA/DNA; blacklisted categories include identical stroke-width “silver ink” signatures.

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Final Assessment

Based on ink behavior, substrate feedback, lack of credible pen dynamics, and the known high-forgery risk associated with film memorabilia and Goodfellas cast items, this item is assessed as Very Likely NOT Authentic (Confidence Grade: D).

The overwhelming consistency in mechanical traits and contextual red flags indicate that the poster likely involves digitally applied or autopen-based signatures, therefore disabling acceptance for hand-signed authentication.

Submitted Image: