How can you authenticate a Stan Musial autographed picture?

Answer 1

Authenticating a SignatureAn autograph that is not authenticated by a creditable company could sell at half the market value or less. Two of the top, and most trusted authenticators are PSA/DNA, and James Spence Authentic (JSA). Collectors will pay more for signatures authenticated by either one.

Check the respective websites Show Schedule to see if they will be in the area that you live. They also do business through the mail. If you did not acquire the signatures yourself, or are not sure of its origin, do your homework. Before spending money on having the autograph authenticated find signatures on line that have been properly authenticated, and compare them to yours. If you feel comfortable that they are authentic then proceed.

Also make sure that the photo you have was hand signed and not a facsimile signature. A preprint, or Facsimile signature is simply a photographic copy of an original signed photograph. A facsimile signature often appears to be below the surface gloss of the photo, and the signature is often very "flat." Hold the photo up at an angle to a light source. A real signature is written on the surface of the photo, and should have a different level of reflectivity than the rest of the surface. A preprint will blend right in with the surface because it's underneath the surface gloss.