Gordie Howe

[sorklora]

Has anyone who has received a Howe auto TTM gotten it certified yet by JSA or PSA/DNA? I just got a puck back signed by him and saw someone mention a ghost signer. It looks good, but wanted to be sure. The successful address was in Ohio,
but it was postmarked from Detroit, Michigan, and have read that Howe still lives up there and his son lives in Ohio and brings him the fan mail. Can anyone corroborate this? I really hope that Mr. Hockey signed it! Here's the Howe2.jpgphoto:

[Coltron57]

I have a card out right now because I will not miss out on the opportunity it they are real, but the G in Gordon looks off compared to every other Howe signature I've seen certified.

[sorklora]

I thought so, too, but if you go to his website and look at his autos he sells, his G looks like that now. Guess we'll never truly know, but I may have JSA give their opinion.

[robbob1984]

I also was wondering the same thing I have a Puck out right now from him and once it comes back I am going to try and find out from other websites and Forums and will let you know if I find anything out.

[robbob1984]

I thinking that all of the autos coming from that address are Ghost signed I found a news article that says he's has been battling dementia all summer long and almost didn't make it but is doing well and is living with his daughter down in Lubbock Texas but you never know I sure hope they are all real. Also the G looks off and so does the Mr Hockey also ever real auto I have found has his #9 but you never know. Here is the Story from USA Today dated 09/20/2014

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...howe/15967217/

[slitz]

he recently cancelled some appearances bc of health so I think any TTM returns are dubious

[pzero]

He was in Ohio a month or 2 back to speak at a charity event.

[robbob1984]

Everything now coming from that address is being RTS

[sorklora]

I've seen that..don't know if that's good or bad..if a ghost signer, I would assume the son would keep signing, so maybe Gordie was actually signing..

[borisplante]

The G in this one does look sort of "off", but it could just be that is the way he felt like signing it on a given day.The G and the H have always been the trademarks of his sig- the H's look pretty legit, but I can't really say whether the one posted is legit (picture is just too small).. Who knows when or if he signed this particular puck, but given his condition, I'd certainly want to see it signed in person if it were me. But understand, I've seen his autograph change quite a bit over the last few years, and I chalk it up completely to the dementia. For a while he also seemed to be signing much smaller than he had previously, so you can' really say for sure. Plus, older signers (in general) tend to have their autographs change over time. In Gordie's case, the dementia adds another complication to identifying it.

A bit more background about his situation..I've met Gordie alot, but I last saw him in late December, 2013, at a signing with Mark and Marty. He had really slowed down, even back then. Both Mark and Marty basically said that he has good days and bad days but he still likes to be in front of the fans as much as possible. I think this is why they've continued to take him all over the country to do signings- I certainly don't think it is a money thing- he just really enjoys being with the fans, and it keeps him active. He is constantly with some member of the family- whether it be Mark, Marty, his daughter (who I think lives in Texas) or his other son Murray, who I believe is the head of radiology at Toledo hospital (which could verify the story on this puck if the address was in or near Toledo). The kids basically rotate him around the country to their houses, taking turns living with him and keeping watch over him. I've never heard of anyone ghost signing for him. Gordie has always been pretty darn authentic. I think if the day came that he couldn't sign, that would just be it. From what Mark and Marty said, his days are usually ok, but his evenings can be pretty challenging, so someone is with him all the time. You just never know what you will get with this disease. It is horrible to see such a wonderful guy and true ambassador of his sport going through this. But it is great that he has such as strong family. He raised some great children, and they are doing the right things for their dad when he needs it most. A lesson for all of us.