Comments on: President Obama’s Autopen: When is an Autograph Not an Autograph? http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/2013/01/president-obamas-autopen-when-is-an-autograph-not-an-autograph/ Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:50:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Roy http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/2013/01/president-obamas-autopen-when-is-an-autograph-not-an-autograph/#comment-564 Roy Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:01:08 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/?p=2293#comment-564 The article is incorrect to say "the Supreme Court published a 30-page opinion stating that the President may indeed use an autopen to sign bills" - the linked document is from the White House Office of Legal Counsel. The Supreme Court could not issue such an opinion due to the Constitution's Article III's "case or controversy" limitation. The article is incorrect to say “the Supreme Court published a 30-page opinion stating that the President may indeed use an autopen to sign bills” – the linked document is from the White House Office of Legal Counsel.

The Supreme Court could not issue such an opinion due to the Constitution’s Article III’s “case or controversy” limitation.

]]> By: H. B. Delius http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/2013/01/president-obamas-autopen-when-is-an-autograph-not-an-autograph/#comment-559 H. B. Delius Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:50:22 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/?p=2293#comment-559 One could then arguably propose that an ink-stamp made to reproduce a signature is just as legal as the one made with the autopen. Hmmm... One could then arguably propose that an ink-stamp made to reproduce a signature is just as legal as the one made with the autopen. Hmmm…

]]> By: Steve http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/2013/01/president-obamas-autopen-when-is-an-autograph-not-an-autograph/#comment-539 Steve Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:01:37 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/?p=2293#comment-539 Thanks for an interesting post! One correction: the document to which your last paragraph linked is not an opinion of the Supreme Court. Instead, it's a memorandum representing the opinion of the Office of Legal Counsel within the Department of Justice. Thanks for an interesting post! One correction: the document to which your last paragraph linked is not an opinion of the Supreme Court. Instead, it’s a memorandum representing the opinion of the Office of Legal Counsel within the Department of Justice.

]]> By: Kathy http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/2013/01/president-obamas-autopen-when-is-an-autograph-not-an-autograph/#comment-536 Kathy Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:35:57 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/?p=2293#comment-536 Also, autograph and signature have slightly different definitions. I think I fell into this trap. I could argue that a seal is a signature but not an autograph. Also, autograph and signature have slightly different definitions. I think I fell into this trap. I could argue that a seal is a signature but not an autograph.

]]> By: Kathy http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/2013/01/president-obamas-autopen-when-is-an-autograph-not-an-autograph/#comment-535 Kathy Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:17:20 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/design/?p=2293#comment-535 Interesting subject. How does the value of an autopen signature compare to an authentic signature in the memorabilia market? As for precedence, seals and insignia have been used for thousands of years as a form of granting authority officially. Eventhough seals are not signatures they have been used on legal documents. Interesting subject.
How does the value of an autopen signature compare to an authentic signature in the memorabilia market?

As for precedence, seals and insignia have been used for thousands of years as a form of granting authority officially. Eventhough seals are not signatures they have been used on legal documents.

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