Signature on a aunction agreement

[Humpty707]

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!

[Hollander]

Hi Humpty707.

I looked at the signature before reading your post, and thought it to be a particularly florid capital 'J' straight away. 

[Ruskie]

J W Hornby. "J's" often look like an "I". 

[Humpty707]

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?

[imstillstanding]

J  W

[oldtimer]

J.W. 

[Ruskie]

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?

[Humpty707]

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.   

[Geoff-E]

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.