Verification for Audi Crooks | Item # 1279
Autograph Authentication – Audi Crooks
Confidence Grade: A (Most Likely Authentic)
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.
Forensic Ink and Substrate Evaluation
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Ink Type & Pen Pressure:
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The signature and inscription display natural line variation, pressure modulation, and gradual tapering — all strong indicators of freehand authorship.
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Visible overlapping of marker ink over card surface areas confirms post-production handwriting.
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The dark, saturated ink is consistent with broad-tipped felt markers, likely a permanent marker such as a Sharpie.
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Ink-to-Substrate Interaction:
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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.
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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.
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Conclusion:
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Strong consistency with real-time ink application. No evidence of inkjet, laser, offset, or thermal printing detected.
Individual Signature Analysis
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Signature:
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Features highly stylized script with flourished, upward-angled characters.
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Dynamic pressure values throughout—especially notable in the descending initial stroke and ending flourish.
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Micro-wobble typical of autopen devices is absent. Stroke velocity modulation consistent with natural handwriting rhythm.
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Inscriptions (“43 points / 20 minutes”):
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Freehand quality evident: Line weight variation, heterogeneous character spacing, and evidence of minor correction strokes (repeated elements).
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Suggests personalization—harder to fake via autopen or mechanical reproduction.
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Vertical alignment drifts slightly, another hallmark of natural inscription.
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.
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.
Market Comparison and Similar Item Sales
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Audi Crooks Signed Cards (Non-Factory Hand-Signed):
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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)
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Most were inscribed or signed similarly with stat lines, likely post-game.
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Certified Autograph Issue Price Median (if Factory Auto):
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Not applicable here — this appears to be an aftermarket, in-person autograph rather than a Topps/Bowman certified auto issue.
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:
