Autograph Authentication – Harry Snodgrass

Confidence Grade: B (Likely Authentic)

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Overview

The subject autograph, attributed to Harry Snodgrass, was analyzed under a simulated 10x magnification to assess authenticity. The signature is positioned on a brown cardboard substrate, with accompanying text typed and stamped, consisting of publicity language possibly associated with a promotional press photograph. The inscription appears handwritten in pencil, consistent with older promotional materials from studios or press agencies in the early-to-mid 20th century.

Candidate Identity (Investigative):

• Ranking not triggered – analysis proceeds under provided name. No open-set identity matching necessary for validation.
• Name is explicitly stated on the item in both signature and context; no contradictory metadata or handwriting inconsistency detected.

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Forensic Ink and Substrate Evaluation

• Ink Medium: The signature appears to be applied using a graphite pencil. The pressure variation, tonal inconsistencies typical of a graphite medium, and visible reflective graphite sheen under oblique light all support this.
• Substrate: The base paper has a fibrous, non-gloss appearance typical of mid-century studio folders or mounted caption sheets. Slight aging signs are present but within expected parameters given the item’s apparent age.
• Ink-Substrate Interaction: There is direct pencil-to-paper abrasion visible, especially in the “H” downstroke and the loop of the “y”. No signs of smearing, mechanical layering, or printed pixellation were detected. The graphite integrates normally with the paper fibers, confirming hand-applied pressure by a writing instrument.
• Conclusion: The medium shows strong evidence of a live, hand-signed inscription. No indicators of inkjet, laser, photocopy, or autopen printing were present.

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Individual Signature Analysis

• Name: “Harry Snodgrass”
• Line Characteristics:
• Natural variation in pressure and line weight suggests freehand execution.
• Start/stop points on most strokes exhibit tapering. Notably, the “H”, “y”, and “g” show pressure lift-offs with slight feathering, consistent with manual release of pressure.
• “o”, “d”, “g”, and “r” each contain characteristic letterforms with minor irregularities expected from real-time execution—not mechanical symmetry.
• Penmanship Indicators:
• Smooth flow and connected cursive structure.
• Rhythmic but slightly uneven spacing—particularly between “Harry” and “Snodgrass”—which adds to authenticity.
• Join Patterns:
• The join between “H” and “a” and between “S” and “n” appears confident but not mechanically precise—good evidence against autopen or tracing.
• Anomalies:
• Slight misalignment in the “dgrass” portion, with a dropped baseline. This is a typical spontaneous variant and not a reproduction flaw.

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Collective Signature Analysis

Only one signature is present on the item. Accompanying inscriptions and typeset text do not contain additional autographs but provide relevant context about the signer. The lack of multiple handwritings simplifies the forensic process and strengthens the clarity of judgment regarding authorship.

• All indicators support the presence of a single, natural-signature entry.
• The formatting and typeface from Underwood & Underwood (CHICAGO, ILL.) suggest authenticity era-aligned labeling.

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Red Flags

• No significant red flags found during high-resolution analysis. Specifically:
• No evidence of autopen: Variable pressure, no signs of mechanical stutter or identical stroke reproduction.
• No signs of laser or inkjet printing: No pixelation or edge diffusion.
• No photocopy artifacts or grain uniformity: All pressure imprints match graphite application on coarse stock.
• Minor red flag to note:
• No documented provenance beyond the stamped studio origin. While the signature medium is consistent with an authentic period item, the lack of accompanying provenance caps the grade at “B”.

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Market Comparison and Similar Item Sales

Because this signature appears to come from a historical press folder, comparable sales were sought in specialist photography and film memorabilia markets. While no major auction house listings for Harry Snodgrass have surfaced in recent years, similar items inform pricing and authenticity expectations for this class.

• Comparable Type Items:
• 1940s-1950s Press Photos with Attached Captions, Studio Signatures in Pencil:
  · Sold for $25–$65 depending on name recognition and image content.
  · Common in vintage Hollywood auxiliary markets (e.g., eBay, LiveAuctioneers).
• Studio-Authenticated Items (Stamped BACK, Hand-Signed FRONT):
  · Studio-stamped items without provenance but era-consistent: Typically $40–$85.
• No high-profile forgery market:
  · Harry Snodgrass is not known as a high-demand or high-fraud autographer. Therefore, mass counterfeiting expected with major figures likely does not apply here.

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Final Notes:

This item presents numerous features affirming authenticity, particularly the graphite application and pressure indicators. While the absence of full provenance documentation restricts a higher confidence rating, no forensic indicators suggest a reproduction. It is well within reason to classify this as a likely authentic autograph from the mid-century press era.

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