Autopen

An autopen is a mechanical device that uses a template to reproduce a person's signature automatically. The machine holds a pen and traces a pre-programmed signature pattern, producing copies that are virtually identical each time.

Autopen signatures have been used by U.S. presidents, astronauts, and other public figures for decades to handle the massive volume of autograph requests they receive. While autopen signatures look convincing at first glance, they are not hand-signed and carry minimal collector value.

You can identify an autopen signature by comparing multiple examples. If two signatures are perfectly identical — exact same letter spacing, size, and formation — they were almost certainly produced by an autopen. Hand-signed autographs always have natural variation between examples.

Other telltale signs include a mechanical, robotic quality to the pen strokes, uniform pen pressure throughout (real signatures have natural pressure variation), and sometimes a small dot at the beginning or end where the machine pen makes contact with the surface.

In the autograph collecting community, autopen signatures are considered non-authentic. They should be avoided when building a collection, as they hold little to no resale value compared to genuine hand-signed items.

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