Because astronaut Neil Armstrong has such a valuable autograph, there are many types of less-than-desirable autographs in circulation.  This includes autopen (machine-generated) signatures, and dishonest fakes, which are forgeries created to deceive.

More than ten years ago, I published a bunch of suspected Armstrong fake autographs in the September/October 1995 issue of "Space Autograph News".  Since many of these autographs are circulating longer than my newsletter, I want to share a sample of them with eBay collectors.

These suspected nonauthentic autograph examples come from a variety of sources, including

1. Astronaut Autopens by Simon A. Vaughan & Roy M. Gutzke (1989), pages 15-16; this book reproduces six examples of autopens
2. Autograph Times, Aug. 1994, "Moon walkers" by Jeremy Haynes, page 20; reproduces two autopen examples
3. Relics of the Space by Russell Still (1995), page 135; reproduces a "machine-generated" signature
4. Seeing Double: The Autopen Guide by Marvin K. Blatt & Norman Schwab (1986); reproduces three autopen examples
5. Space Autograph News, May/June 1993, "Examples of forgeries on covers," page 7; reproduces examples of forged signatures on two covers
6. Space Autograph News, May/June 1994, "Examples of fake space autographs," page 7; reproduces a forgery
7. Space Autograph News, Sep./Oct. 1994, "Examples of fake autographs of Neil Armstrong," page 8; reproduces 14 autopens published in three different sources
8. Space Autograph news, Jan./Feb. 1995, "Autopens and preprinted fake autographs of astronauts," page 7; reproduces a new autopen pattern on a signed photo
9. The Universal Autograph Collectors Club's Study of Machine Signed Signatures by Paul Carr, edited by Al Wittnebert; reproduces five examples of autopens

An autopen is a machine-generated signature used widely by celebrities and politicians in the previous century.  Although it is considered an authorized autograph, it is not an original, hand-signed signature.  These autographs were sent by the thousands in response to fan mail.  Early NASA astronauts were known to use autopens, so cautious collectors always watch out.

Fortunately, if you can identify autopens, you'll eliminate a lot of risky material from your portfolio.  I've prepared an index of 104 early astronauts who have used autopens in my Guide "Autopen Directory of NASA Astronaut Space Autographs".

http://reviews.ebay.com/Fake-Autopen-Directory-of-NASA-Astronaut-Autographs_W0QQugidZ10000000001388198

I have also prepared 104 different Guides, one for each early astronaut, to document their known examples of autopen signatures.  Use these individual guides to check your own space autographs for autopens.

Let me know if you have any updates to this Guide, and I'll keep adding to it.  Wow, more than 5,000 people have viewed this Guide as of January 3, 2008.  I appreciate the few dozen people who left me feedback about the Guide.  Maybe, just maybe, you will leave feedback?  That would sure make me happy.  Have a nice day!