Verification for Mantle Demaggio | Item # 1907
Autograph Authentication – Mantle Demaggio
Confidence Grade: D (Very Likely NOT Authentic)
Overview
This analysis focuses on a dual-subject image (Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle) with clearly printed text and no visible hand-signed autograph markings. The subject (Mantle Demaggio) appears to conflate two high-risk Hall of Fame baseball players, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio — both are prime targets for forgery due to their fame and historical value. Upon high-resolution forensic inspection, no legitimate ink signatures appear on this item. When attempting to identify any ink-related variation indicative of a human signature, none were detected.
Candidate Identity (Investigative):
No reliable identity match; analysis proceeds under Unknown.
(There is no visible autograph in ink to base any investigative signature identification on.)
Forensic Ink and Substrate Evaluation
- Ink Presence: There is no freehand ink signature present atop the image or text panel. All text elements, including the paragraph at the bottom, are part of the print process.
- Substrate Type: The item appears to be a semi-gloss photograph-style paper, consistent with mass production photo prints.
- Ink/Substrate Interaction:
- Printed Text: Evident from the sharp, consistent edges and lack of ink soaking into substrate — indicates laser or offset printing.
- No Pressure Artifacts: There is no indentation or fiber crushing from a ballpoint or felt-tip instrument.
- No Tapering or Stroke Variation: No variation in pressure, line width, or entry/exit stroke characteristics. The entire item is print-based.
Individual Signature Analysis
- Joe DiMaggio (assumed target in photo): No autograph visible. The image is photographic and text-only. There are no apparent inscriptions or baseline anomalies indicative of a hand-signed DiMaggio autograph.
- Mickey Mantle (assumed target in photo): As with DiMaggio, no visible signature or inscription can be discerned. There are no ink gloss variations, indentations, or overlaying strokes.
Collective Signature Analysis
No freehand autograph is present. All visual elements (photo, type, stylization) appear part of a lithographic or photo print. Any belief that this print is hand-signed is unsupported.
Red Flags
- Absence of Actual Signature: There is no visible evidence of a hand-applied autograph anywhere in the image.
- Mass Production Indicators: This image appears to be widely distributed as a photo-caption collectible series (e.g., newspaper archive reproductions).
- Misinterpretable Content: The collision of the names “Mantle Demaggio” may represent a mix-up or the erroneous assumption of a single signer.
- High-Risk Subjects Misuse: Both Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle are on the High-Risk Autographer Watch List. In cases where no true autograph exists, any item claiming authenticity must be seriously doubted.
Market Comparison and Similar Item Sales
Given that there is no verifiable autograph, comparisons to authenticated hand-signed memorabilia are not valid. However, for context:
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Unsigned Photo Reprints from Sports Archives:
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Similar 8″x10″ prints featuring DiMaggio/Mantle (captioned press photo, no signatures): $5 – $25.
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Sold on eBay, sports print markets, and press memorabilia vendors.
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Authenticated Dual-Signed Photos (Mantle & DiMaggio):
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PSA/DNA or JSA authenticated pieces: $1,200 – $3,000 depending on condition and medium.
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(Note: These are ink-on-photo examples.)
Final Conclusion:
This piece is a printed archival photo with no trace of hand-applied autographs. Due to the lack of any ink signature or personalization — and considering the visual features consistent with mass-printed memorabilia — the item is deemed very likely NOT authentic as an autograph-bearing collectible.
Submitted Image:
