Sample of Conlin's sig
 

Posted By: <b>Jeff J</b><p>Does anyone have a scan of Charles Conlin's signature on the back of one of his photos?<br /><br />Trying to verify style to confirm genuine sigs.<br /><br />Thanks..JJ

Sample of Conlin's sig
 

Posted By: <b>Mark Steinberg</b><p>I do not have Conlon's signed name, but here is a nice example of his handwriting. This is written on the back side of a Christy Mathewson original photo, in which Conlon describes Matty's face as showing signs of age.<br /><br /><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff178/perezfan/mattyback.jpg">

Sample of Conlin's sig
 

Posted By: <b>davidcycleback</b><p><img src="http://www.cycleback.com/conlonsig.jpg"><br />Conlon sometimes initialed 'c,' and typically circled his initial or full signatue. As Mark shows, he sometimes didn't sign or initial a photo, but included notes in his distinct handwriting. His writing was usually in pencil. His stamp, which is not always present, is the strongest evidence it is a Conlon.<br /><br />For fine art photo collectors, the photographer's signature is very desirable, in part because its neat to have the artist's autograph but more significantly it shows the photo was personally handled by the photographer-- significant when buying an original. In fine art, the artist's signature usually indicates the photo was personally approved as A-okay by the artist. For a fine art lithograph intended to be sold at a gallery, the artist will go through a pile of prints, only signing those that meet his approval. The ones he doesn't like he won't sign. And, of course, the last thing a famous painter does is to sign the painting. So for fine art collectors, Picasso's signature on an original, cataloged etching is important, not because it's a 'celebrity autograph,' but because it shows Picasso looked at and personally approved that very etching. Many fine art collectors aren't autograph collectors, but like their purchases to be signed. An art collector may own authentic signatures of Warhol, Dali, Picasso and Renoir, but he might consider it derogatory if you call him an autograph collector. Don't say to the collector, "That Renoir autograph is nice, but do you have any Barbara Streisand signed baseballs?"<br /><br />Obviously, most UPI, AP photos and wirephotos aren't signed by the photographer, but Conlon signed and/or noted many of his photos. This writing proves the photo was personally handled by the photographer. Most stamped by him were likely personally handled by him too, but his authentic handwriting is the ultimate proof.

Sample of Conlin's sig
 

Posted By: <b>Jodi Birkholm</b><p>There was a TLS of Conlon on eBay some time ago. I placed a low-end bid on it, but was outsniped. There was also a George Burke letter in a lot of misc. baseball ephemera that I wished I had kept tabs on. The problem is that there is no price gauge for these autographs. I can't see them being terribly valuable, but they are certainly interesting.

Sample of Conlin's sig
 

Posted By: <b>Patrick McMenemy</b><p>Here's the back of my Roger Bresnahan Conlon Photo.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1206565215.JPG"> <br /><br />Patrick

Sample of Conlin's sig
 

Posted By: <b>davidcycleback</b><p>I had a signed handwritten letter from a famous French photographer. I had to ask my French speaking neighbor to tell me what it said. The interesting thing was since I didn't know what it was said, it was actually easier to judge the authenticity of the handwriting. My eyes were not distracted by content. I suspect collectors are often more willing to accept bad handwriting as good when the words say what they expect it to say.

Sample of Conlin's sig
 

Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>Jodi... <br /><br />You are right, that the photographers' autographs themselves may not be highly valued. But to have the photographer's signature or handwritten notes on the reverse of an orginal photo enhances the value significantly (as David pointed out above).<br /><br />The photographer's notes can also add a new insight into what he saw in the photo. These notes often communicate a perspective that might have been interpreted differently (or gone unnoticed).<br /><br />I have often wondered... who is thought to be the "King" of early baseball photography? The major auctions feature Conlon, Bain, Van Oeyen and Paul Thompson quite a bit. And of course there are some unforgettable works by Nat Fein, Burke, and others. <br /><br />Who is the photographer that took so many of the portrait shots used in the T206 Set, including Wagner (Horner?) Any thoughts as to who is the most revered photographer of the bunch?

Sample of Conlin's sig
 

Posted By: <b>Jodi Birkholm</b><p>Conlon, without a doubt. He and Burke were true artists of the genre. Their photos age with an inexplicable grace. Although most of them were posed/portraits, their images still manage to better capture a sense of living in their respective eras than those of their contemporaries.<br /><br />On the flipside, I can also understand Dan's love of snapshots. Their often off-kilter angles and clarity convey what is must have been like to be a spectator.