Barnes and noble collected editions
Although they may have many different pre-set templates, you can find them through comparison. Autopens are just what they sound like, machines that use a real pen to create authentic-looking signatures via pre-set templates. When it comes to the authenticity of a signed book, especially one from a reputable dealer like Barnes and Noble, the primary concern is that they were supplied with books signed by an autopen machine. They can look quite convincing, so it is important to be able to tell forged signatures from authentic autographs. Besides deliberate forgeries done to deceive consumers, there are a number of ways to reproduce autographs that collectors need to be well aware of. Unfortunately, there are a number of ways that autographs can be faked that go beyond simple forgeries. That is true whether you are collecting signed books, photos, or baseballs. The primary concern for any autograph collector is authenticity. While the bookseller initially rebuked the claims of fraud, they did later concede that they had been supplied with books with forged signatures by the publisher. One Twitter user even called out Barnes and Noble showing photographic proof that the autographs in the signed editions of Kenny Loggins’ Still Alright were identical and necessarily autopen signatures. That’s because at least some publishers have done the deceptive practice of using an autopen machine to forge signatures on their signed editions. By the simple act of performing a side-by-side comparison, some buyers have discovered their signed books to not be genuine. Many Barnes and Noble buyers have found this out the hard way.
Often they come signed directly from the publisher which means that not every signed edition on Barnes and Noble’s shelves is actually hand-signed! This is in stark contrast to the industry leader Premiere Collectibles which works directly with authors to ensure their signed books are authentic. However, it’s not Barnes and Noble that is necessarily conducting book signings. Because it has so much of the public’s trust, many people may not even think to question the authenticity of their signed editions. Barnes and Noble is a reputable bookseller.