This autopen signature has appeared at numerous auctions over the past few years. In some cases, it has appeared on books and photos published after Houdini's death. However, here it is on what is actually a valuable book that would sell well at auction. But this signature makes it worthless.
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The auction house is Norwood Auctions in Norwood, Pennsylvania. I don't know anything about them. Roger Dreyer of Houdini Revealed has fought the good fight in trying to get these fakes taken down, but Live Auctioneers seems to do a brisk trade in selling fakes to gullible buyers. Don't be a gullible buyer!
I actually have a suspicion about who is behind these fakes, but I have no proof.
R.I.P. to this once-beautiful copy of Magical Ropes Ties & Escapes.
On my Patreon, I have a "Fraud Pack" that collects images of fakes so people can be aware of them and become familiar with the look of this autopen signature. This is FREE for everyone to download by clicking below.
UPDATE: I contacted Norwood Auctions. They are standing by this and tell me it was consigned to them by "a well-known elderly collector with a long history of dealing in historical items and artifacts." I remain skeptical.
Here's an eBay seller who is cutting up a Houdini 1920 letter and selling off the letters and numbers individually. A number "2" sold for $125. https://www.ebay.com/itm/406003065536?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=6ukx0vs9tfs&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=XKpMOxRESq-&stype=1&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
ReplyDeleteI've seen that. Horrible to see Houdini history being destroyed for greed. I hope the people buying these understand that what they are buying is worthless. And who knows if it's even real. Very easy to use clippings from a copy.
DeleteYou're right. It could be a photocopy that was cut up.
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ReplyDeleteWhat about the phony pictures of HH on eBay?
The one where he supposed to be next Teddy Roosevelt 50k
I have emailed him a hundred times telling him there’s no way that’s Houdini. He laughs at me and says I’m wrong…..
Wow… just…
DeleteWow. 😑 - Abby Martin (raises my fist at them in rage)
Yes, I've seen that photo and auction. Been around forever. Not Houdini. Not Roosevelt. If someone buys that for 50K, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'll throw in cheap!
DeleteA good rule of thumb these days is never buy a Houdini signature that is just a lone signature. There should be an inscription or something more to it. Something that places it in a context that can also be examined. There are so many fakes out there now. The first red flag is that it's a lone signature. Pass it by!
ReplyDeleteHoudini exposed fake mediums. John is following in his footsteps by exposing fake HH autographs. Thanks, John. --Dale from Cleveland
ReplyDeleteHarry would be so proud of you John. 🙃 - Abby Martin
DeleteThanks Dale and Abby. I think I'm more out to educate than to expose. Just want people to develop a good eye and have a healthy suspicion.
DeleteYeah that’s fair. Education is a much more gentler approach to combat these counterfeit auction thingys. Even if I don’t have the money now maybe in the future I would like to have some Houdini memorabilia of my own collection so it’s good to know this now when I’m young. - Abby Martin
DeleteBest thing to do is buy from reputable magic auction houses like Potter & Potter and Haversat & Ewing. You can absolutely trust that what you are getting is the real thing.
DeleteJohn..could you explain how this is detected as an auto pen? I think I see SOME reasons but it would be great if you could give a detailed description of how to detect an auto pen signature of Houdini.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to do that is to supply other examples of what I believe to be the same autopen in action, and that's what I've done in my fraud pack. You'll learn to recognize the characteristics. They are not all exactly the same, but a modern autopen will generate slightly different signatures by changing speed or pressure.
DeleteI just looked at that auction house, as I am a Beatles collector from my OWN collection...their album that is for sale is ALSO autopen as I have my original signatures obtained from George Harrison's mother on my own pictures of all of their signatures and the Paul one for certain is autopen.....so I am very suspect of that particular auction house Norwood Auctions in PA. They also have a Babe Ruth ball and I own one and that is autopen as well. These dudes give their own certf of authenticity ???....WOW.....
ReplyDelete*ears perk up* You like The Beatles too?? 😳❤️ - Abby Martin
DeleteCheck out THIS from a few days ago. It's a real industry.
DeleteDude. That is messed up! 😳 People will do anything for money! - Abby Martin
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