In absence of statute a party to a contract may adopt a signature thereto as his own, even if made without authority.1 Thus delivery of such an instrument may be an adoption of the signature thereon.2 So the principal in a power of attorney may adopt the signature thereto, by an acknowledgment of the signature as his own.3 A certificate purporting to be signed by highway commissioners was in fact signed by the clerk. The commissioners afterward made an endorsement on the back of such certificate, and signed such endorsement. This was held to amount to an adoption of the signatures on the face of the instrument.4 So a grantor may adopt a signature to a deed as his own.5 Even if by mistake he acknowledges a forged deed, thinking it to be one that he had previously signed, he can not deny the validity of such deed against a bona fide purchaser.6 The maker of a negotiable instrument may adopt the signature thereto as his own.7

5 Wright v. Forgy, 126 Ala. 389; 28 So. 198.

6 Crow v. Carter, 5 Ind. App. 169; 31 N. E. 937.

7 Crumrine v. Crumrine, 14 Ind. App. 641; 43 N. E. 322.

8 Wright v. Forgy, 126 Ala. 389; 28 So. 198.

9 Blankenship v. Ely, 98 Va. 359; 36 S. E. 484.

1Bowman v. Rector (Tenn. Ch. App.), 59 S. W. 389.

2Davis v. Cotton Co., 101 Ga. 128; 28 S. E. 612.

3 Munger v. Baldridge, 41 Kan. 236; 13 Am. St. Rep. 273; 21 Pac. 159.