John Hancock 1776 Signed the Declaration of Independence so large that "John Hancock" became American slang for "signature." Legend says he wanted King George III to read it without spectacles.
William Shakespeare c. 1616 Only six confirmed signatures survive — all on legal documents, with the surname spelled differently almost every time. Variations include "Shakp," "Shakspe," and "Shakspeare."
Napoleon Bonaparte c. 1804 His signature visibly deteriorated over his career — from a bold "Bonaparte" during triumphs to a childlike scrawl during his final exile on Saint Helena.
George Washington 1787 His signed copy of the Constitution sold for $9.8 million in 2012 — the most expensive autograph ever sold at auction.
Salvador Dalí c. 1970 Reportedly signed thousands of blank sheets, contributing to a massive forgery problem. Some estimates claim up to 350,000 sheets, though the exact number is disputed. Fake Dalí art remains rampant to this day.
Elizabeth I c. 1580 Her enormous, elaborately flourished "Elizabeth R" could span several inches. The ornate complexity also served as an early anti-forgery measure.
Albert Einstein c. 1935 His autograph is among the most forged in history. Authentic ones sell for $20,000–$75,000, and he reportedly charged $1 per autograph for charity in the 1930s.
Nikola Tesla 1900 Tesla's elegant, slanted script reflected his meticulous nature. He held around 300 patents worldwide and voluntarily released Westinghouse from a royalty contract that could have been worth millions.
Charles Darwin c. 1859 His handwriting deteriorated over decades of chronic illness. Darwin exchanged over 15,000 letters with some 2,000 correspondents worldwide — one of the richest scientific correspondences ever preserved.
Marie Curie c. 1911 She coined the term "radioactive" — and her personal papers are still so radioactive they must be kept in lead-lined boxes. Visitors to France's Bibliothèque nationale must sign a liability waiver to view them.
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