B.B. King Signature

[Dan Gould]

Many years ago I stumbled across what I thought was an extra cool item: B.B. King The Rarest King (Blues Boy Records). A cool selection of 50s recording, many with such jazzers as all three Newborns and George Coleman, too. And to top it off, its been autographed by the King himself:

Best Wishes,

B.B. King

So ... I'm looking around ebay last night, and spot another copy of this release. And lo and behold, there is the exact same autograph in the exact same place:

So the question is, does anyone know this release or know what B.B.'s signature looks like? I have to say it looks more like ink on top of cover, but maybe this is what the manufacturer did, create the cover with B.B.'s sig? Or did B.B. sign all of the copies before they left the distributor? Or did someone not only fake B.B.'s signature, but do it on many copies of the album and not just one?

[Dan Gould]

Anyone?

[scottb]

This signature above is consistent with the others on ebay currently while yours looks a little different. Certainly after millions of autographs it could have evolved. It would probably take an expert to determine if it's consistent with other signatures from that time.

[Dan Gould]

Thanks Scott. The problem is that the auction item and my item are indistinguishable to the untrained eye, all the way down to the heavier ink on the g at the end.

Oh well. Still glad I have the LP, and its not as if I paid a fortune for it in the first place.

[Stereojack]

I have the LP. There is no indentation in the autograph, and the ink matches the color of the rest of the cover exactly. It is most certainly printed on. The cover was probably taken from a publicity 8x10.

[Guest sailor]

Autograph verification are based on "exemplars" that is examples, the more exmeplars to a forensic examiner the better. That's why if you are serious considering buying a certain signature you may want to make a folder on your computer and start copying the signature images to file with notes about whether it was offered privately or on ebay. For the record, BB Kings signautre characteristic is the first 'b' is formed by a straight line...in later signings he forgot this and munged a second line. Second "king" king of the hill three hills forming 'ing.' Lastly his 'g' have evolved. Ggeorge Harrison is noted for the same effect with is 'r's. Yet the previous gentlemen hit the bullseye, being a pre print. When in doubt look at the signature with a loupe.

Edited August 5, 2006 by sailor