Roy Campenlla Thoughts

[mr2686]

Just to set the record straight. Campanella could move his hand but it would shake and he couldn't sign after the accident. He did not use a "machine", it was more like a brace to keep his hand in place so that he could hold the pen and move the top part of his hand enough to sign (think keeping the palm of your hand in one place while you try to sign). This is why, for the most part, the Roy and the first part of Campanella came out pretty good, but then got a little rough due to him having to stretch his hand to finish the autograph. These autographs are in no way "not authentic", just not as desirable. When you have a choice, it's better to get an earlier sig, but there's nothing wrong with the later ones. I'm speaking from experience because I got his autograph back in the 80's at one of his signings and was fascinated by his brace, and watched him for quite a long time. The 16x20 signed photo of him I got that day is still one of my favorites.

Updated: I just saw the youtube link to him signing in the early 70's, and I can tell you that whatever he was using then was not what us was using in the late 80's. I'd always wondered where the thought he used more of an autopen came from, and now I know.