julia child's signature
I'm always buying foodie books... and when I got home from a recent book buying expedition, along with a copy of a MFK Fisher book I haven't read yet. I also bought a copy of michael Lee West's "Consuming passions".
what I did not notice, until I got home was that it had been signed. The inscription reads:
"Food is not a refueling station, it is recreation"
"Julia child".
I am wondering if the signature is legitimate? The signature is written with a very broad, open hand.. almost childlike. Has anyone seen her signature? any idea of a source to compare? does anyone know of a connection as to why she would have signed that particular book? I would assume since the book isn't that old, it would have to have been signed only a few years ago... I am ever curious.
either way I was happy to find the book, but an authentic signature would make it all the more special.
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I just found a hard cover book that belonged to my late Mother. The book's title is "From Julia Child's Kitchen". It's inscribed to my Mom (Evelyn), and it reads "Evelyn, Bon Appetite, Julia Child". It's written in a broad, bold style with her name underlined in a flowing style.
I "googled" images of her handwriting & they match a couple of her notes.
The book was published on October 6th, 1975. At that time we lived approx 8 miles from Cambridge, Ma. Also, we have relatives who live within walking distance to Harvard Square.
Based on the Google image & the above facts, I believe it's authentic.
So Megan, I think your inscription is also real as you wrote "The signature is written with a very broad, open hand." -
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ah, thanks to you hounds... after looking at your examples and some others from ebay... I just don't know.
the odd thing is, that the signature in my book is not written in long-hand. so it looks very different from what I've seen on-line. So that while I'm not convinced it is real.. I still can't help but wonder. you see.. I bought this book in St. Helena (used obviously). so given its close proximity to copia, etc. I'm wondering if perhaps later in life she printed on occasion. o.k. o.k. so I'm probably reaching.. just wishful thinking that I have a treasure. when I get home tonight, i'll scan and post a copy for you to see for yourselves.
thanks for your help in sleuthing.›1 Reply-
re: megan
I tend to agree w/ snackish. Probably not Julia's writing, esp. since it doesn't sound like something she would inscribe for a signing.
But still makes me wonder how this scribbling came to be. My guess is that a fan attended a talk by her at Copia or met her during an event; looks like Julia was very involved in Copia. They were struck by this particular statement she made, didn't have a notepad, and quickly scribbled it inside this book in their bag.
Googled for some popular Julia quotes and never came across this one, so I do wonder what context these words were uttered by Julia. Her 90th bday celebration at Copia took place in 2002, so it may have been around that time.
Who really knows, but this is another reason why I love used books...
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What a neat surprise...and fun sleuthing! I don't know the connection here, but a sample of her handwriting and signature is pictured below. Of course, I can't vouch for the authenticity of this since it came from a random online source.
If you put "julia child" into google and then click on the "Images" tab at the top, then you can scroll through a few handwriting/signature examples (along w/ some great photos of beloved Julia). Good luck putting the pieces of this puzzle together. -
I have a half-dozen of her autographs, one on a picture of us together, and in several of her books. The signature never varies at all. It's VERY small, quiet, and the "J" looks like a backward "P" It's not "very broad" and not particularly child-like.
Here:
http://www.starchefs.com/JChild/image...
The real thing is much, much smaller than that appears.
