Real AH Signature? HELP ASAP!

[chris235]

Just been offered this today. Its on hold for me at the moment just need someone with the knowledge to say is it real or not!

Question is it real or not, was in her grandmothers things when she was selling her estate.

[chris235]

She says its in pencil or what looks like pencil if that helps... Sorry this is not my area and I am sure they are faked quite often. Any help would be great. Thanks

[kahle33]

The "af" looks strange to me. It's not typical. After the initial line of the "A" comes down, the line going up is too high. The cross line thru the "F" is too large.

It is not typical of an "AF" hitler made.

However the "Hitler" is well executed IMO.

My best amateur guess is that it could be real, but I'd personally stay away. Hitler didn't sign many photos. Real ones go for like $5K. They are a huge target for forgers. 95% of them are garbage. You may have found a deal, but odds are certianly not in your favor.

All this being said, I'd wait for more expert opinions on here. Hopefully you get them.

[chris235]

Thanks for the responce.

Its coming from a very good source and its very reasonably priced.

The person selling is not a dealer, just someone selling estate items thats not interesting for her. Hence the price is quite low, that said I want to be sure before handing over the cash tomorrow.

Thanks

[chris235]

So I gave her the asking price.

Her story is rock solid, she never knew much about it nor does she have any interest in this period.

She contacted me privately here in Germany about it that she had it and I could have it if I was interested.

Moreover what she wanted was not much, so it was worth it.

Her grandmother passed away a few weeks ago and was a young/kid during the third reich, there was nothing else that she had from this time.

EDIT - I was offered many other signatures on cards right up to the mid 1950s mostly actors, the ladies grandmother worked at the Dresden Opera till after the war.

Any more info would be great guys...

[Mithrandir]

?

Is the lady from Munich?

[chris235]

No, she comes from the same town as me... Schweinfurt!

[chris235]

I have been in contact with a few people on other forums and also through PM here about it....

All I can say is I have a smile on my face!

[Ironcrown]

Let's say it's 100% original, you feel good with a rock solid story from the seller and keep this signed photo as a nice piece in your collection. And everything's ok
But if one day you will decide to sell it, I don't know if this will be easy. You will have to try to get an authentication (if an original really costs 5k Usd it may be worthy to spend for a reliable expertise). After all, for a faker it's not so hard to take a period postcard or photo and sign it with a pencil. Signatures are not always identical and may change in the years or under particular circumstances. A "normal" collectors has not always the skill to recognize those minimal details that may identify a fake. I usually stay away from signed photos for this reason. I prefer much more the signed documents (like the award documents), because are in my opinion harder to duplicate and in any case there are more aspects you can analyze.

[chris235]

Thanks IronCrown,

Of course I am happy with it, I also paid nowhere near 5k for it, I dont intend to sell it.
The lady wanted not much for it, I gave her a bit extra than she wanted, as she had no clue it was worth even much.

I get many things from the people in my area, but I have always been fair - I know in the first ten seconds if they are genuine people or not. For sure it would have made no sense for her to fake this, I am confident of that.

I will have her grandmothers full information too to put beside it.

I see what you mean about award docs, yes for sure, but here I have been offered many strange things from the locals I couldnt say no about this one...

[mac-apple]

It sure looks authentic to me , and matches my signed postcard, although mine is an earlier signature... Ive had mine looked at by several Military collectors , and they all agree its real.. Just for peace of mind take it to a military show if you have one near you ..

[chris235]

Thanks for your responce!

I have had it confirmed now by quite a few!

[Dean Perdue]

Hitler didn't sign many photos.

May I respectfully ask what is the basis for this comment?