Thoughts on this Billy Martin? Birth name Sig

[Oglethorpe]

Can I please get an opinion on this one - Never seen a Martin signature look like this before, also never seen one signed in his birth name. Your input is appreciated!

[GrayGhost]

I Don’t like it.

[Oglethorpe]

Thanks!

[MooseDog]

It's probably not one that would pass a TPA but I also wouldn't shred it. Without any context it's hard to say when it was written. There are a couple of characteristics that you could make a case could have morphed into his playing signature. Look at the 1950 GPC on the PSA/DNA site and the Topps contract there which has an "Alfred" signature that doesn't look too far off yours.

If it was when he was a kid it could very well be good but never going to be able to prove it without exemplars from the time.

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by MooseDog

It's probably not one that would pass a TPA but I also wouldn't shred it. Without any context it's hard to say when it was written. There are a couple of characteristics that you could make a case could have morphed into his playing signature. Look at the 1950 GPC on the PSA/DNA site and the Topps contract there which has an "Alfred" signature that doesn't look too far off yours.

If it was when he was a kid it could very well be good but never going to be able to prove it without exemplars from the time.

Well said. I was going by exemplars that I’ve seen many of. If it is a genuine oldie sig, it’s amazing!

[MooseDog]

Had some time so here's the Billy from the PSA/DNA page, circa 1954, just presenting, not making a statement one way of the other.

https://www.psacard.com/autographfac...lly-martin/933

[Oglethorpe]

This is really great information, I do appreciate it. I wouldn't be able to toss it even if someone told me they were the forger themselves. Really a cool piece in my opinion. I like to think it was either done at a very young age or at a very inebriated state.