Journal Published Online: 01 January 1992
Volume 37, Issue 1

Signatures—Review and a New View

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

This paper discusses briefly the automatic signature, as written by many writers, and its elements: movement, form, and variation. It considers the “true signature,” the model stored in the writer's brain that produces the automatic signature.

It discusses an aspect of signature writing that is not fully treated in other sources. This is the original or earlier signature style, which has been modified into the present model. For all current purposes, it is no longer used but may well be recalled, in whole or part, by some writers when signing nonroutine, special signatures, such as wills or important contracts. With a few writers, it is retained as a second signature and used from time to time. Can such a former signature be part of a more recently executed signature after it appears to have been completely abandoned? How can we determine whether an abnormal signature actually contains parts of the previous signature style, and can we be sure that this is what has occurred? There are somewhat rare cases in which these considerations come into play.

Author Information

Hilton, O
Examiner of questioned documents, Landrum, SC
Pages: 5
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS13219J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13219J