Seymour Church and George Wright

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Posted By: Max Weder

I recently purchased a copy of Seymour Church's book on ebay. The book was stated to be inscribed by George Wright. The seller didn't include a scan and wouldn't provide one of the signature, so I was somewhat leary, but I would appreciate any thoughts as to whether it is the George Wright. (I bid assuming the signature was not genuine) I have included a scan of the signature. The only signature specimen I could find was in the recent Mastro auction by George to his grandson for winning the potato race:

http://www.mastronet.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=36714&CurrentRow=1 . Thanks, Max

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Posted By: prewarsports

Your signature does not look deliberate in any spots and it would be harder to forge such a longe notation. It is hard to say without viewing it in person but from my experience it doesn't look like a blatant forgery. However, the fact that it was purchased on ebay with a disclaimer that it was not real seems very fishy.

I would shell out the money to send it to PSA/DNA. I have seen some really shady looking Wright signatures which have passed their grading service so I think yours has as good a shot as any to pass.

I have got some decent exemplars around somewhere (probably about 10 pictures of his signatures) which I could send out via e mail if you want to compare. The Halper auction had some pretty nice ones if you can get ahold of those catalogues as well.

Rhys

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Posted By: Max Weder

Thanks Rhys.

The seller didn't say it wasn't real; in fact, he said the opposite. However, what concerned me was that there was no image with the auction, and he wouldn't supply one via e-mail. Accordingly, I bid my price on the book on the basis that I thought the signature wasn't genuine--if it is, it's a pleasant surprise.

I forgot about the Halper catalgues (how could I do that?). I have them at work and will check tomorrow.

Max

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Posted By: jw

It looks like it might be real. I just reviewed my Halper auction catalog (page 151/The Early Years). Although sometimes, I think scammers use these images as templates for their forgeries. Best of luck to you!

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Posted By: Rob L

Max,

The signature looks pretty good and the number formations appear similar to the example that you provided.

You can always put the signature on eBay to have PSA/DNA Quick Opinion look at it and then pull the auction.

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Posted By: HalleyGator

Is the book up for sale at a price by which you could make a nice profit?

- Hal

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Posted By: Max Weder

One other question. Any thoughts as to why George put would put 1918 on as the ending date [1867-1918]? I'm assuming that's the date he inscribed the book, but it seems an odd manner to date an inscription, and is one that I haven't seen before from a player of that time.

Max