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What we collect!
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United States/Covers & Postmarks : General George Armstrong Custer

 

Author
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Stampme

26 Apr 2015
10:25:07am
I have seen quite a few covers on eBay lately, addressed to Mrs. G A Custer purporting to be in the hand of the famed general and likely are his handwriting. They would have some historical significance--not sure if the price reflects the significance but that is not my point, today.


The title description states full signature of the general.

What do you think? Is an address line to his wife considered a signature by collectors?

I would say no but perhaps I am being too strict in interpreting the word signature on covers.

Couldn't get the link function to work this time so here is the eBay item number if you are curious: 201318181328

Bruce


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nl1947

26 Apr 2015
11:05:50am
re: General George Armstrong Custer

Not exactly a "signature" but it is supposed to be in his handwriting with his GACuster on it.
However this is the "signature" on the envelope
Image Not Found
This is a museum piece signature
Image Not Found
You be the judge. I think I would offer what the stamp is worth.

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michael78651

26 Apr 2015
11:24:31am
re: General George Armstrong Custer

The autograph market is full of counterfeits. You can even see that on the show Pawn Stars. I wouldn't pay any large sum of money for an autograph unless it was authenticated by a competent authority.

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seanpashby
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26 Apr 2015
11:59:33am
re: General George Armstrong Custer

I would have to vote it as a fake. Too many differences from a known authentic copy.

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Bobstamp
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26 Apr 2015
01:18:33pm
re: General George Armstrong Custer

Dictionary.com defines autograph as “something written in a person's own hand, as a manuscript or letter.” It seems, therefore, that the covers in question are indeed “autographs,” assuming that they are authentic.

For the same reason, this cover in my collection can be said to be an autograph since the sender, American-Armenian author William Saroyan, addressed it in his own hand and, especially, included his name in the return address:

Image Not Found

I know that it's authentic, because his son, Aram, confirmed it, and various other attributes confirm that authenticity. For details, go to my web page, William Saroyan posts a letter. The web page includes information about the joint issue of U.S. and Russian stamps which commemorate Saroyan's life.

Bob

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www.ephemeraltreasures.net
nl1947

26 Apr 2015
03:15:18pm
re: General George Armstrong Custer

Not to beleaguer the point ad nauseam but there is or can be a difference between a signature and an autograph when it refers to a person's name.
An autograph is what one might call an artistic signature - usually from a famous person & it may be what they use when asked for their "autograph".
However they may have a signature that they would apply to legal documents that is different from their autograph & consistent. It is also wise to use both.
So the cover in question may well be an autograph (written in Custer's handwriting as Bob points out) but there is no basis for the seller to describe it as a signature.

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Author/Postings
Stampme

26 Apr 2015
10:25:07am

I have seen quite a few covers on eBay lately, addressed to Mrs. G A Custer purporting to be in the hand of the famed general and likely are his handwriting. They would have some historical significance--not sure if the price reflects the significance but that is not my point, today.


The title description states full signature of the general.

What do you think? Is an address line to his wife considered a signature by collectors?

I would say no but perhaps I am being too strict in interpreting the word signature on covers.

Couldn't get the link function to work this time so here is the eBay item number if you are curious: 201318181328

Bruce


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this post
nl1947

26 Apr 2015
11:05:50am

re: General George Armstrong Custer

Not exactly a "signature" but it is supposed to be in his handwriting with his GACuster on it.
However this is the "signature" on the envelope
Image Not Found
This is a museum piece signature
Image Not Found
You be the judge. I think I would offer what the stamp is worth.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
michael78651

26 Apr 2015
11:24:31am

re: General George Armstrong Custer

The autograph market is full of counterfeits. You can even see that on the show Pawn Stars. I wouldn't pay any large sum of money for an autograph unless it was authenticated by a competent authority.

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this post
Members Picture
seanpashby

26 Apr 2015
11:59:33am

re: General George Armstrong Custer

I would have to vote it as a fake. Too many differences from a known authentic copy.

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Members Picture
Bobstamp

26 Apr 2015
01:18:33pm

re: General George Armstrong Custer

Dictionary.com defines autograph as “something written in a person's own hand, as a manuscript or letter.” It seems, therefore, that the covers in question are indeed “autographs,” assuming that they are authentic.

For the same reason, this cover in my collection can be said to be an autograph since the sender, American-Armenian author William Saroyan, addressed it in his own hand and, especially, included his name in the return address:

Image Not Found

I know that it's authentic, because his son, Aram, confirmed it, and various other attributes confirm that authenticity. For details, go to my web page, William Saroyan posts a letter. The web page includes information about the joint issue of U.S. and Russian stamps which commemorate Saroyan's life.

Bob

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www.ephemeraltreasur ...
nl1947

26 Apr 2015
03:15:18pm

re: General George Armstrong Custer

Not to beleaguer the point ad nauseam but there is or can be a difference between a signature and an autograph when it refers to a person's name.
An autograph is what one might call an artistic signature - usually from a famous person & it may be what they use when asked for their "autograph".
However they may have a signature that they would apply to legal documents that is different from their autograph & consistent. It is also wise to use both.
So the cover in question may well be an autograph (written in Custer's handwriting as Bob points out) but there is no basis for the seller to describe it as a signature.

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