Autograph Collecting

My failure to understand autograph collecting is one of my biggest regrets. In the early 1980s, as a teenager, I spent many Saturdays in the Stretford End of Old Trafford watching Manchester United and iconic football players like Steve Coppell, Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins, and Gordon McQueen.
After the match, my friend and I would rush down to the back of the stadium to an exit door where the players would try to leave without too much attention. Over time, we got practically every player’s autograph as they exited, and I posted them up on my bedroom wall. Later, as I readied for college, my passions changed, and the autographs became lost in the detritus as I packed to move on to a new life. Those autographs would have made a fine collection now had I the foresight to keep them.

What Is Autograph Collecting?

Autograph collecting is the seeking and preserving of a famous person’s signature. Often, a celebrity will sign a photo or some other piece of memorabilia, and it can become a collector’s item. The word autograph comes from the Greek word “autographon,” which translates to “written with one’s own hand.”

Autograph collecting dates back to ancient Greece and Rome when wax seals were used by the ruling classes to seal powerful decrees. Some signed their names on these documents. We know this because a Roman writer named Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) collected autographs and wrote about them in letters to his friends (apparently, he was a huge fan of a little-known celebrity Julius Caesar).

Autograph collecting ceased when Rome fell in 476 AD but revived again during the Renaissance. From 1300 to 1600, wealthy travelers would ask personalities to sign elaborate books, and then show them off to prove how well-connected they were with society’s elites.

How autograph collecting has evolved

Not much has changed. People are still very proud of meeting a famous person and even more thrilled if they sign something or write them a note. That said, the digital revolution has caused selfies to largely replace autographs because people are more likely to be carrying an iPhone than they are a piece of paper and a pen.

As autograph collecting became more of a thing in the late 19^th century, it was seen less as a hobby and more a way to make money. Auction houses found autograph trading highly lucrative as demand grew for the autographs of writer, musicians, and sports heroes.

Notably, William Buell Sprague (1795-1876), a clergyman and writer from New York, had collected all the autographs of the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence by February 1833.

In the early 1930s, the LE Waterman Company was the leading manufacturer of fountain pens. In 1932, the company launched a competition for children under the age of sixteen. Children collected autographs of celebrities and famous people in albums, and the winners were awarded prizes, usually fountain pens, of course. The winning albums still fetch high prices. For example, one containing the autographs of 21 of the 1932 New York Yankees sold for $4,250 at Sotheby’s.

Sitting Bull, the well-known tribal chief of the Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux Indians conducted the first paid signing event at the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. The medicine man learned to write his name after realizing he could sell his autograph for $1.50 apiece. Today, signing events for sports stars and celebrities are commonplace, with most celebrities earning $25 to $500 for their signatures.

What Is the Attraction of Autograph Collecting?

Like most collectibles, whether art, whisky, or fashion items, passion and profit are two of the most powerful motivators.

Passion as a Motivator

The attraction of autograph collecting is the person who signs the autograph. Typically, they are famous people held in high esteem by others, and to have met them or to have a written note from them is unique. Thus, there is a demand for the autographs of celebrities, presidents, talented sportspeople, and musicians. These people are icons, and so is their signature.

But while autograph collecting is about having a passion for the subjects and perhaps bragging rights, it is also a source of profit and a full-time job for some.

Profit as a Motivator

If you have something other people want, it has value. And it didn’t take long for savvy entrepreneurs to realize that there was a market for autographs. An example of an enterprising and energetic profiteer is Giovanni Arnold.

According to an article by Alexandra Tremayne-Pengellye, who writes for Observer, Arnold is an autograph collector whose full-time job is tracking down celebrities in New York City to get their autograph. Armed with a sharpie and photographs, he catches celebrities as they enter and exit buildings and go about their daily lives. He then resells the autographed items.

Autographs are a booming market due to increased demand and dwindling supply. Arnold sells autographs online through websites like eBay, and some of his listings include a $1,500 drumhead signed by late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and a $3,000 autographed photo of Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.

The pandemic is partly why collectible markets are booming. While on lockdown, people had more time to pursue hobbies. According to Bobby Livingston, vice president of RR Auction and quoted in the Observer, an auction house based in Boston, “People who started collecting during the pandemic are continuing to.” In August 2022, RR Auction sold David Bowie and Marilyn Monroe autographs for over four times their estimates, at $2,000 and $32,000, respectively.

Because autographs are so unique and rare, there is great demand for them, and the more iconic the individual, the more the autograph or collection is worth. Other factors determining an autograph’s worth are its condition, significance (the content), how rare it is, and demand.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Autograph Collecting vs. Stocks?

Autographs are collectibles. Collectibles, like stamps, coins, cars, and the new rare digital art known as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), are alternative investments that don’t work like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. The value of collectibles depends on what someone is willing to pay, and that willingness is not tied to the economy or political environment. A burning desire to have Babe Ruth’s autograph is not going to go away because of inflation or a war in Ukraine. However, buyer perceptions can change overnight, and there is risk involved in relying on autograph collecting for income.

Stocks typically go up in value over the long term. But there is no guarantee that the same applies to collectibles. You could pay $3,000 for an autograph today but then not find a buyer at half the price. There are also plenty of scammers and con artists willing to rip you off or sell you a fake.

Advantages of Autograph Collecting

Pleasure – Collectors can pursue their passion and treasure their highly sought-after collectibles.

Diversification — Autographs can be part of a diversified portfolio.

Access—It’s not too difficult to find autographs in physical stores, like yard sales or thrift stores, or online on platforms like eBay.

Disadvantages of Autograph Collecting

Fraud—It’s difficult to discern genuine autographs from fakes.

Markup—Dealers will mark up autographs to make a profit, so prices can be high for authentic items.

Illiquidity—There is no guarantee that you will be able to sell an asset when you need the money. It might take time, or you may have to sell at a loss. Also, you may be subject to capital gains tax when you sell it.

How Can Novice Investors Start Autograph Collecting?

If you are interested in starting a collection, it’s best to choose a category or genre for your autographs. That way, you collect items from a particular niche that will be of value to another collector interested in that same niche.

Here are three steps to starting an autograph collection.

Choose a Category that Fascinates You

Decide what category you want to focus on and find a reliable autograph dealer. Choose pieces that fascinate you the most. That will encourage you to learn more about the type of autographs you are collecting and to become an expert as time goes on.

Aim to Find Just One or Two Autographs a Month

Whether you seek out autographs from celebrities yourself or search through dealers and thrift stores, take your time to find quality products that excite you. Collecting one or two autographs a month is a good start. The best collections are built over time.

Plan for Storage

Do you need a display case or another storage option to protect the autographs? One option is to use cheap frames from Michaels or use plastic photo sleeves if you are not ready to display the items yet.

What Are the Risks Associated With Autograph Collecting?

There are risks associated with autograph collecting for money, unless you are collecting purely for enjoyment. Here are some of the potential pitfalls.

Autograph Collecting Is a Fad

First and foremost, autograph collecting is a hobby because few can claim it as a full-time job. Also, with current rising interest rates, many will not consider it a viable asset class because there is no real value to autographs or a collection, only what a buyer is prepared to pay. So, there is a real risk that profits will be minimal.

Forgeries

Autograph collecting is risky because there are so many forgeries. The safest way to avoid buying a fake is to buy through a dealer, but you will pay more for an authenticated autograph. Experts use public records such as drivers’ licenses, bank records, cancelled checks, and legal documents to authenticate signatures, but these documents are not easy to locate.

Difficulty Selling

You may have trouble selling an autograph that you do not have authenticated. Potential buyers may not trust you and may not believe that what you are selling is not fake. An appraiser can tell you whether an autograph is authentic and give you some idea of its worth.

If you want to sell your autograph, try an autograph dealer or auction house. A dealer will offer you probably between 30 and 50 percent below what they think they can sell it for, but you get your cash quickly. An auction house may give you more than a dealer, but they will also charge a commission of between 20 to 30 percent. Online auctions, like eBay, charge a minimum of 10 percent of your final price.

What is the Criticism With Autograph Collecting?

The criticisms of autograph collecting are mainly to do with the profit-making aspects rather than autograph collecting as a hobby. Here are three common criticisms.

It’s a Profit-Making Racket

Some critics suggest that celebrities use their autographs to promote themselves and their brand and they could care less about pleasing fans. They may also use the attention to endorse a product or company. Thus, getting someone’s autograph is a purely transactional experience.

Autographs are Easy to Forge

You can’t argue with this one. Fakes are everywhere, and only expert collectors can discern which are genuine and which are not. In most cases, the owner may not really care because showing a good fake has the same effect when they show it off to their friends, who have no idea whether it is the real thing or not.

There’s Little to No Resale Value

Unless you have something signed by a superstar, ex-president, or other icon, most autographs sell for pennies. A collection of index cards that included the autograph of the boxer Muhammad Ali was selling on eBay for just $5.

5 Tips for Profiting From Autograph Collecting

Here are five tips to help you profit from autograph collecting.

Set a Budget and Stick To It

It’s tempting to spend a lot of money on a new hobby like autograph collecting. But whether you are buying stocks or autographs, you should never spend beyond your means. There will be no profits if you buy an autograph one week but then have to sell it at a loss to a dealer the next week to pay your bills.

Do Your Research

Whatever the type of autographs you collect, research which people might be about to make news. These autographs will be in demand. Perhaps, a football player is about to announce their retirement. The demand for legacy autographs and items will increase once a player or celebrity exits.

Invest In What You Know

Buy autographs in areas where you have knowledge and passion. It will make the pastime enjoyable and give you a story to tell. In many cases, telling the story of how you acquired an autograph can convince a buyer that it is authentic. Also, by focusing on what you know, you build expertise in an area that dealers will respect.

Choose the Classics

Where collectibles are concerned, the classics never go out of style, and they are always in demand. Think of classic cars, watches, or the Hermes Kelly Bag. Also, while it’s fine to find a unique autograph that appeals to you, it may not be of value to others, so bear in mind that their will always be demand for the autographs of famous celebrities or sports stars.

Look for Pristine Autographs and Items

The condition of an autograph or autographed item is critical to its value. Look for “museum quality,” and store your assets where they will be protected and not harmed by the elements or environment. You might also want to consider ensuring high-value collections.

Scarcity Counts

Scarce items will have the greatest demand and hold the most value. When collecting autographs from sports players, for example, those in the twilight of their career are good bets. There will only ever be one Tom Brady or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Autograph Collecting: General Terminology

CoA – Certificate of Authenticity. A document that certifies that the issuer of that document declares the accompanying autograph is authentic.

Conjugate Page – Blank pages attached to a letter or document used by collectors to write useful information about the letter.

CS – Cut signature. A signature on a piece of paper that may or may not have been removed from a letter or document.

Facsimile – A copy of an autograph useful for checking authenticity.

Fair Copy – An autograph copy.

Foxing – Mold stains on paper caused by exposure to high and long-term humidity and lowering the value of an autograph.

Mounted – A letter (or photograph) attached with adhesive to a larger sheet of paper.

N.d. – No date. Used when the date is not written in the hand of the personality.

N.p. – No place. Similar to the above but referring to the location where the autograph was written.

N.y. – No year. Used when the year is not known. If the year can be ascertained through other means, it is placed within parentheses.

Paraph – A calligraphic mark beneath a signature originally designed to make forgeries more difficult.

Silked – When a letter or document is carefully sandwiched in between two pieces of fine silk to protect it from wear and tear. The process usually decreases the document’s value.

Silvering – When a photo has oxidized, usually at its edges. The discoloration affects the image and its value.

SP – Signed photograph. An original signed photograph. If the image is from a magazine or book, it is referred to as a “signed printed photograph.” If there is an additional message, the image is referred to as an “Inscribed SP.”

TLS – A typed letter signed by the writer.

Trimmed – A document that has had its blank margins removed, which adversely affects the letter’s value.

Conclusion

There is certainly a market for collectibles, and autographs and autograph collections have seen a resurgence since the COVID pandemic when people had more time to pursue hobbies. According to Observer, Zobie Productions, which facilitates autograph signings at celebrity conventions like Comic-Con, has seen celebrity memorabilia rise in popularity by 25 to 30 percent since the pandemic. According to the copay president, “autographed items that sold for $500 in 2010 are fetching $650 in 2022.”

Some collectors are wondering if selfies are replacing autographs. According to Grammy winner Taylor Swift, “I haven’t been asked for my autograph since the iPhone with camera was invented. The only souvenir kids want these days is a selfie.” It is true that times have changed, but does anyone sell a selfie? Selfies may give you bragging rights, but autographs give you bounty rights.

Bottom line. If collecting autographs is a pastime you enjoy, it’s time well spent because it could be a lucrative one.

FAQs

What is the most expensive autograph in the world?

George Washington’s personal copy of the Acts of Congress, a volume containing the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, sold for $9.8 million. The copy has the first president’s signature and his personal annotations. According to Financesonline.com the second most expensive autograph was Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which sold for $3.7 million, and the third was an LP signed by John Lennon for his murderer hours before the murderer shot him. The album sold for $525,000.

Is there an autograph that has recently caught people’s attention?

Autographs catch attention the rarer they are, so celebrities who prefer not to proffer their signatures tend to have the most sought-after autographs. According to Jake Rossen of Mental Floss, some examples are William Shatner, who considers asking for an autograph rude; Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad Fame, who became exhausted with the practice; and Billy Eilish, who felt threatened by autograph-hungry fans.

Which autographs sell the most?

The autographs of the dead. These are worth more than the autographs of the living simply because there is limited supply. Thus, if put on the market, they will sell the most. Cases in point, John Lennon’s LP that sold for $525,000 and George Washington’s Act of Congress, which is worth $9.8 million.

Which is the most searched for autograph?

In the current market, according to World of Autographs, entertainers, sport stars, artists, politicians, and astronauts are high sought after. Some popular actor names are Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill. In fact, anyone associated with Start Wars or Star Trek, and rock stars like Eddie Van Halen, Pink, Rihanna and Lady Gaga are also popular.