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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Humpty707 on Thursday 14 January 10 11:51 GMT (UK)

Title: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: Humpty707 on Thursday 14 January 10 11:51 GMT (UK)
Comparing the signature and the name, what would people say is the name of the person buying this property? 'J William Henry Hornby' ? 

From census data, it really should be Joseph William Hornby of Fen Ditton, but I can't decide if there genuinely is a 'J' at the start of his name, or if that's wishful thinking.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: Hollander on Thursday 14 January 10 12:40 GMT (UK)
Hi Humpty707.

I looked at the signature before reading your post, and thought it to be a particularly florid capital 'J' straight away.  ;)
Title: Re: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 14 January 10 12:44 GMT (UK)
J W Hornby. "J's" often look like an "I".  :)
Title: Re: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: Humpty707 on Thursday 14 January 10 12:45 GMT (UK)
Yes there definitely seems to be a J in the signature. But is that also a 'J' under the massive ink blotch where he gives his name?
Title: Re: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: imstillstanding on Thursday 14 January 10 19:14 GMT (UK)
J  W
Title: Re: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: oldtimer on Thursday 14 January 10 19:19 GMT (UK)
J.W.  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 14 January 10 21:26 GMT (UK)
Yes there definitely seems to be a J in the signature. But is that also a 'J' under the massive ink blotch where he gives his name?

Um, don't know. But if that is the right signature of the right person, wouldn't that be his name at the top? And therefore yes, there should be a J under the blotch? There is enough room for a J.

Is it the middle name of Henry that you are querying?
Title: Re: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: Humpty707 on Friday 15 January 10 09:40 GMT (UK)
Thanks everyone! Looks like the general consensus is that it is probably a J William Henry Hornby.

The reason I've been getting other opinions was because someone suggested to me that it might have been a JW Hornby buying it on behalf of a William Henry Hornby - but since I can't find a William Henry Hornby of Fen Ditton and I can find a Joseph William Hornby of Fen Ditton, I'll probably take the easy option and say that Joseph Hornby (possibly known as William Hornby) bought it.   
Title: Re: Signature on a aunction agreement
Post by: Geoff-E on Friday 15 January 10 09:44 GMT (UK)
I don't think there's anything under the blot.  I think that the blot was there first.  The name has been started after the blot in the same way there is a big gap between Fen and Ditton.