8 replies to this topic

[Lowestoftmodder]

I have one of the framed John cooper signed collector card displays

This has been on the wall forever and sadly I hadn't noticed the signature fading, it’s pretty bad now.
I’m angry at myself for not noticing to be fair.

Is there any way of restoring this? Long shot I know..

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Thanks

[beardylondon]

Contact The Repair Shop?

[Lowestoftmodder]

That made me smile mate

It’s not a heirloom or anything too special, I’m just a bit bummed out that it looks this way now
I googled all sorts but end up going round in circles.
The AI response says to preserve what’s left.. seems a good idea but as it’s only for me to display id like to see the signature.

I think I may wreck it by touching up the signature (retracing over the top) and although the set is genuine it would feel like a fake to me then.

I guess I’m just living in some kind of hope that it’s not a total loss
What a plonker Rodney

[beardylondon]

No worries, that was tongue in cheek reply, but seriously you never know!

Funnily enough I have got that exact set, it was a present around 20 years ago, by its not signed, at least I don't think so!

My honest opinion is, leave it be, any retrace will potentially damage it more.

From all the things I’ve seen over the years, autographs are one of the hardest things to recreate, as every one is unique. Hence it may look repaired or as you say fake. Perhaps look out for a replacement card/set on eBay?

Side note, when I returned from The Italian Job in 1997, John Cooper was there to greet us, and he signed my hat. I clearly remember him trying to find a pen and he said, “has anyone got a quill?”

Edited by beardylondon, 26 April 2025 - 08:04 PM.

[Lowestoftmodder]

Thank you for the reply

The card has some differences in that it’s printed about being a signed version etc. I did think of trying to get another centre card and having a “fake” at the front and the real stored behind it to preserve it.
This is one of 250 he signed.

Time flies and this is probably 30 years or so ago I got this? I really can’t remember

A quill?!? That’s brilliant

[panky]

You could scan it and adjust the contrast etc to see it you can improve it then slip a copy into the frame

[Gaz66]

I'd do a tracing then put it over the top and rub it back on.
A bit cheaty but you know the real one is under there.
If you don't do anything it will be gone one day and then that's that!
You can also keep the tracing on file for future touch ups.

Edited by Gaz66, 27 April 2025 - 04:32 PM.

[Lowestoftmodder]

A few good ideas, thank you all very much

[stuart bowes]

I'd take it out and hold it up against a window or put it on a lightbox, take really high res pic of that straight on, then run that though photoshop ( or gimp which is free DL) and fiddle with the levels to see what comes up. Get the signature it as dark as you can, then maybe touch up a few bits if required