Wednesday, March 21, 2012
A Short Guide for Beginner’s: How to Collect Famous Signatures and Celebrity Autographs
Collecting the autographs and signatures of famous folks has been a significant source of enjoyment to countless collectors throughout the centuries. Each collector has personal reasons for collecting. Sometimes we want to own a real piece of history, or perhaps just a few scribbles of ink from a particular celebrity’s pen. Whatever the reasons and goals, the autograph collector is committed to his hobby.
Yet, in the digital age, where there is nearly unlimited access to a myriad of signed items to complement our collection, there is a greater opportunity for forgers to take advantage of the unwitting collector. There a variety of tools a prudent collector must employ to safeguard themselves from becoming a forger’s victim, and we could write volumes on the subject, but I felt it vital to prepare an exceedingly quick and short guide for any novice collector which might help get started collecting authentic famous signatures safely and smartly.
1) Don’t Be Fooled by Certificates of Authenticity (COA’s)
These certificates, offered on nearly every phony signature online, can often be more like Certificates of Worthlessness. Any autograph dealer possessing a computer and a printer can doctor up an impressive, glossy certificate proclaiming the authenticity of the item, but in the end they are simply worth no more than the paper they're printed on. This brings us to tip #2
2) Find Reputable Dealers
This can seem to be a difficult task, but there are excellent dealers who know their trade, are honest and only sell authentic material. Reputable dealers almost always offer catalogs with their latest items for sale with insightful and knowledgeable information on every piece. They will back up their items 100%, will provide excellent service and can guarantee authenticity without resorting to gimmicks such as “COA’s”
One last note on this particular. Remember that being a member of a reputable autograph association (such as UACC or PADA) isn't the same thing as being a registered dealer with that association. Anyone can become a member by paying a fee, but only certain high-quality autograph dealers can qualify as a registered dealer and they must constantly maintain high standards to keep their status as such.
3) Know Your Target’s Signature as Well as Its Variations
Just knowing the various ways a person signed their name throughout their life will save you much trouble. So many forgeries are quite obvious once you learn your celebrity’s signature well. Check reputable example libraries such as Famous Signatures.net for authentic examples of various celebrity signatures and study the signature. Take some time to study the several changes of that person’s signature over the course of their life and look for consistency between known examples and any item you are interested in. You don’t have to be a professional to recognize obvious fakes. This might not shield you from the best forgeries available however it can protect you from many.
4) Is The Price Right?
Remember if it’s too good to be true it is. Just because something boasts a high asking price doesn’t necessarily make it authentic, but a price tag too low can by and large be considered as highly suspicious. No honest dealer is going to sell an autograph that would choose for $2,000.00 for $300.00.
5) Make Use Of Your Common Sense
Just using your good judgment can be the best weapon sometimes against forged signatures. If a dealer or an item seem doubtful or not quite right just move on. There are many good items for sale and a lot of good dealers to sell them to you. Just keep looking. Looking is half the enjoyment anyway!
Collecting famous signatures and celebrity autographs is undoubtedly an incredibly enjoyable hobby. It is fraught with dangers but using these tips can help you commence collecting the safe and also the smart way. Best of luck!
About the AuthorIf you are looking for samples of famous signatures and celebrity autographs please visit us at http://www.famoussignatures.net/
Yet, in the digital age, where there is nearly unlimited access to a myriad of signed items to complement our collection, there is a greater opportunity for forgers to take advantage of the unwitting collector. There a variety of tools a prudent collector must employ to safeguard themselves from becoming a forger’s victim, and we could write volumes on the subject, but I felt it vital to prepare an exceedingly quick and short guide for any novice collector which might help get started collecting authentic famous signatures safely and smartly.
1) Don’t Be Fooled by Certificates of Authenticity (COA’s)
These certificates, offered on nearly every phony signature online, can often be more like Certificates of Worthlessness. Any autograph dealer possessing a computer and a printer can doctor up an impressive, glossy certificate proclaiming the authenticity of the item, but in the end they are simply worth no more than the paper they're printed on. This brings us to tip #2
2) Find Reputable Dealers
This can seem to be a difficult task, but there are excellent dealers who know their trade, are honest and only sell authentic material. Reputable dealers almost always offer catalogs with their latest items for sale with insightful and knowledgeable information on every piece. They will back up their items 100%, will provide excellent service and can guarantee authenticity without resorting to gimmicks such as “COA’s”
One last note on this particular. Remember that being a member of a reputable autograph association (such as UACC or PADA) isn't the same thing as being a registered dealer with that association. Anyone can become a member by paying a fee, but only certain high-quality autograph dealers can qualify as a registered dealer and they must constantly maintain high standards to keep their status as such.
3) Know Your Target’s Signature as Well as Its Variations
Just knowing the various ways a person signed their name throughout their life will save you much trouble. So many forgeries are quite obvious once you learn your celebrity’s signature well. Check reputable example libraries such as Famous Signatures.net for authentic examples of various celebrity signatures and study the signature. Take some time to study the several changes of that person’s signature over the course of their life and look for consistency between known examples and any item you are interested in. You don’t have to be a professional to recognize obvious fakes. This might not shield you from the best forgeries available however it can protect you from many.
4) Is The Price Right?
Remember if it’s too good to be true it is. Just because something boasts a high asking price doesn’t necessarily make it authentic, but a price tag too low can by and large be considered as highly suspicious. No honest dealer is going to sell an autograph that would choose for $2,000.00 for $300.00.
5) Make Use Of Your Common Sense
Just using your good judgment can be the best weapon sometimes against forged signatures. If a dealer or an item seem doubtful or not quite right just move on. There are many good items for sale and a lot of good dealers to sell them to you. Just keep looking. Looking is half the enjoyment anyway!
Collecting famous signatures and celebrity autographs is undoubtedly an incredibly enjoyable hobby. It is fraught with dangers but using these tips can help you commence collecting the safe and also the smart way. Best of luck!
About the AuthorIf you are looking for samples of famous signatures and celebrity autographs please visit us at http://www.famoussignatures.net/
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