antique chest

[themrs]

I bought a chest at an estate sale. There is a pencil signature on the bottom of a drawer with a date. How do I know if it is authenic?

[Tim]

Depending on where it was purchased and what kind of sale. Most dated furniture is placed by previous owner, maker or restorer. Of course it could have also been placed by someone 'salting' it into a auction to try and up the bid or other unscrupulous reasons.

If turn of the century (20th), it's more than likely pencil and not felt tip or ball point.
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best............... Tim

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