Verification for Lance Alworth | Item # 1758
Autograph Authentication – Lance Alworth
Confidence Grade: C — Likely NOT Authentic
Overview:
This report examines a purported Lance Alworth signature on a vintage football card. Though the ink characteristics suggest a genuine pen-to-paper interaction, the signature structure raises material concerns. Specifically, the macro-architecture, stylistic inconsistencies, and presence of uncharacteristic flourishes deviate notably from verified exemplars known for Lance Alworth. While no overt mechanical reproduction indicators were confirmed, the lack of identity fidelity weighs heavily against authenticity. The inscription style and extra symbols also raise red flags indicative of potential fantasy forgeries.
Candidate Identity (Investigative): The provided image identifies the signer as Lance Alworth, a Hall of Fame football player, thus falling within the Elevated-Risk Autographer category. Based on visual inspection, and without high-confidence verified exemplars supplied, handwriting structure analysis is the dominant determinant in the final grading decision.
Forensic Ink and Substrate Evaluation:
- Surface Interaction: Ink exhibits moderate absorption into card stock, consistent with felt-tip or medium ballpoint pen. Some minor feathering is visible, which may indicate mid-range porosity of the card stock.
- Stroke Dynamics: Moderate pressure variation and line tapering are present in isolated areas, suggesting a freehand motion. There is no visible evidence of autopen usage or duplicative mechanical uniformity.
- Line Quality: Overall, stroke formation is clean but unrefined, and lacks the rhythmic control usually seen in an experienced and repeated signature. Ink saturation offers moderate contrast against the card’s background with no apparent digital artifacting or pixel disruption consistent with photocopying or printing.
No conclusive indicators of machine reproduction (e.g., laser, photocopy, inkjet) were observed.
Individual Signature Analysis:
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Name Signature (“Lance Alworth”)—Positioned in the upper left:
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Letter Architecture: Deviates notably from verified signatures of Alworth, especially in the first name “Lance,” which appears overly rounded and lacks the consistent angularity or swift stroke transitions often seen in high-frequency signers’ muscle memory.
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Stroke Efficiency: Sluggish execution in mid- to end-strokes, particularly in “Alworth,” suggests hesitation or unfamiliarity with the flow pattern.
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Slant and Rhythm: Irregular rightward lean and interrupted cadence disrupt fluidity.
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Pressure Profile: Variable, but not in naturalistic sync with stroke logic —potentially imitative rather than intrinsic.
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Additional Inscriptions (“HOF 78”, “#19”, “Bambi”):
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Placement and stylization of “HOF 78” and the disconnected “Bambi” nickname are suspect. The nickname inscription is in quotes and slightly distanced — this contrived formatting does not align with known stylings of authentic Alworth signatures.
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“#19” appears hastily rendered and cartoonish, lacking integration with the signature flow, reinforcing suspicions of decorative, showpiece formatting.
Collective Signature Analysis:
The item shows no signs of mechanical reproduction as a whole, but the visual structure of the signature and inscriptions does not conform to the typical signing habits of Lance Alworth. The layout appears “arranged” rather than organically signed during a natural signing session. Disconnected iterations of nickname, number, and Hall of Fame induction year — all in separate visual groupings — are more consistent with stylized fantasy forgeries tailored for display rather than authentic memorabilia.
Red Flags:
- Macro Signature Deviation: Overall stroke architecture is inconsistent with Lance Alworth’s verified exemplars, particularly letter shape irregularities and start/exit stroke anomalies.
- Disconnected Flourishes: The stylized nickname “Bambi” in quotation marks and the fragmented “HOF 78” inscription lack historical consistency with known signed material.
- Over-Stacked Decoration: Inclusion of multiple inscriptions (#, HOF year, nickname) in a small space, arranged for visual appeal, is a hallmark of inauthentic, aftermarket “enhancement.”
- Elevated-Risk Signer: Lance Alworth is a Hall of Famer with a long history of second-market forgeries and altered cards, requiring strict structural fidelity.
Market Comparison and Similar Item Sales:
- Verified market comps were unavailable in this run.
Due to the absence of verified exemplars for Lance Alworth included in this submission and lack of authenticated reference signatures for side-by-side comparison, this evaluation relies solely on internal structural analysis of the submitted signature.
Conclusion: Despite some authentic ink characteristics, the core structure of the signature does not display the hallmarks of Lance Alworth’s established signing patterns. The stylistic and compositional issues — especially lettering inconsistency, over-decoration, and inscription layout — warrant a conservative grade of C, indicating the item is likely not authentic.
Submitted Image:
