Lyndon B. Johnson
36th President of the United States · Politics - U.S. Presidents
United States Government / Democratic Party
Era
Presidential Term (1963-1969)
Item Type
Presidential Commission or Appointment Document
Condition
Excellent; the document appears well-preserved behind glass with no visible fading, foxing, or moisture damage.
Rarity
Common. Lyndon B. Johnson was one of the most prolific users of the Autopen machine in history, signing thousands of documents mechanically.
Overall Assessment
Likely an Autopen reproduction on an official document. While historically interesting and great for display, it lacks the financial value of a wet-ink, hand-signed Presidential signature.
Authenticity Assessment
Questionable - appears to be a high-quality mechanical reproduction (Autopen). Confidence level: Moderate caution.
Signature Style
Full name signature with a distinctive upright 'L' and 'B' followed by a stylized 'Johnson' including a long horizontal terminal stroke on the 'n'.
Signature Characteristics
Consistent heavy pressure, lack of natural ink graduation, and a very precise horizontal end flourish that matches known mechanical templates.
Ink & Medium
Black ink on parchment-style paper. The ink appears very uniform in thickness and saturation, which is a hallmark of machine signing.
Item Description
A formal military commission or government appointment certificate featuring the pre-printed title 'President of the United States' beneath the signature line.
Estimated Value
$50 - $150 (as an Autopen example); $1,500+ if authenticated as hand-signed.
Comparison to Known Examples
This signature perfectly matches the verified LBJ Autopen pattern commonly used for military commissions and official correspondence during his presidency.
Authentication Tips
Look for uniform ink thickness and 'dots' at the beginning and end of strokes where the pen rested on the paper. Compare to known LBJ Autopen patterns (specifically Template #1 and #3).
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA or James Spence Authentication (JSA). Both have extensive databases of Presidential Autopen patterns.
Red Flags
The absolute uniformity of the line width and the 'shaking' or 'wobble' in the 'L' are classic indicators of a mechanical Autopen arm rather than a human hand.
Provenance Notes
Official government documents often lack personal provenance but are historically linked to the recipient named on the full page.
Historical Context
LBJ's presidency was marked by the Civil Rights Act and the Vietnam War; the sheer volume of paperwork necessitated mechanical signing for mid-level commissions.
Market Trends
Hand-signed LBJ items are stable and high-value; however, the market is saturated with Autopen documents which hold decorative or sentimental value only.
Investment Potential
Low for this specific item. Presidential commissions with Autopen signatures generally track with inflation and do not see significant appreciation.
Similar Autographs
John F. Kennedy (notorious for Autopen use), Richard Nixon, and Harry S. Truman.
Display & Preservation
Keep in a UV-protective frame; even machine ink can fade if exposed to direct sunlight over long periods.
Interesting Facts
LBJ reportedly had dozens of different Autopen templates to vary the look of his 'official' signature to make it seem more personal to the recipient.