I started seeing this smaller signature on a couple of my books too. It is a legit signature and wouldn't your hand cramp too after 200 signed books? It was much tighter when On Writing came out. In its own right, since it is typical of his more recent signatures it is almost a providence of sorts. I actually prefer this signature over the one in my Dr. Sleep 1st where he signed in Toronto. I would bid on it.
As far as the US Global shipping program it really is sad. I have cut down my buying by 75% since ebay/USPS switched last year. Now I ship through a couple of friends in the states.