Group of Rommel signature documents - original?

[max history]

Personally, I have serious doubts about the authenticity of the signatures, but it's difficult to tell without physical examination. Rommel's signature is commonly forged and there are some excellent fake reproductions around.
Max.

[RobertE]

Why is that, Max? Do they differ in form or manner from known originals? The dates of the documents don't match position/grade/billet for that period of time? Or something else?

I think to fake these daily documents, including others officers signatures in the schools chain of command, is unlikely - an award document or some other minor correspondence would be much easier to pull off. Since he was in charge at the time, I'm unsure of what's out of place. What am I missing?

[John Hodgin]

Do you mean someone signing Rommels name instead of Rommel himself? Why would he have had that done? I appreciate the input - s/f Robert

I have read that superior officers, who were of course very busy, approved documents but did not always take the time to sign them. The documents were signed by a staff officer using an "auto pen," which traced an original signature while at the same time signing the document. And thus you have an accurate copy of an original signature.

[RobertE]

John, you're correct of course. The mechanical signature process would produce a nearly perfect signature, with minor to no differences between signings. A great tool used by both sides (ours and theirs).

However, you can see by the images I've posted that each signature is different, and not slightly. There is too much variation for these to have been done by machine - they're completely different in size and form.

[Simon O.]

What do you guys think about the use of a black pencil by all 3 officers? They generally used blue\purple or even regular graphite but black?

[John Hodgin]

John, you're correct of course. The mechanical signature process would produce a nearly perfect signature, with minor to no differences between signings. A great tool used by both sides (ours and theirs).

However, you can see by the images I've posted that each signature is different, and not slightly. There is too much variation for these to have been done by machine - they're completely different in size and form.

I am no expert here Robert, but have forwarded this link to a collector who is very familiar with Rommel's signature.

However, I disagree. I believe a staff officer using an auto pen, and signing in a hurry, could produce these variations.

Will let you know what my friend has to say.
Regards,
John

[Simon O.]

Check out Hans Jordan's signature too if you're thinking along those lines.