How to Authenticate a William S. Burroughs Signature
Authenticating William S. Burroughs signatures is generally more straightforward than authenticating Kerouac, for several reasons: Burroughs signed more copies, his signature was more consistent, and the larger database of authenticated exemplars provides better comparison material. Nonetheless, the high values of signed early editions make authentication essential for significant purchases.
Genuine Signature Characteristics
Full signature: “William S. Burroughs” — Burroughs typically used his full name including the middle initial, reflecting his formal, patrician manner.
Letter formation: The signature is characterized by angular, precise letterforms that reflect a controlled, deliberate hand. The “W” is typically rendered with sharp angles rather than curves, and the “B” has distinctive proportions.
Consistency: Burroughs’s signature was remarkably stable across decades. While minor variations exist (as with any handwriting), the fundamental characteristics remain recognizable from the 1950s through the 1990s.
Late-period variations: Signatures from Burroughs’s final years (post-1990) may show slight unsteadiness but retain the essential characteristics of his hand.
Common Inscription Patterns
Burroughs’s inscriptions fall into several categories:
- Simple signatures (“William S. Burroughs”)
- Brief inscriptions (“For [name], with best wishes”)
- Literary inscriptions referencing his work or philosophy
- Drawings or symbols accompanying the signature (less common but not unusual)
Authentication Best Practices
- Compare against authenticated exemplars from the same period — use the purported signing date to select appropriate comparison material
- Check ink and instrument consistency — verify that the writing instrument is appropriate to the era
- Assess the book itself — confirm it is a genuine first edition before authenticating the signature
- Seek professional authentication for high-value items — PSA/DNA, JSA, and BAS all handle Burroughs signatures
- Request provenance for pre-1970 material, where signed copies are scarcer and values higher
The relative abundance of authenticated Burroughs signatures makes forgery detection easier than for Kerouac, but the financial stakes for the early titles still justify professional authentication for any significant purchase.