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Best autograph investments of the 21st century?

This is a subject that I think might be interesting for any autograph collector to know. So specifically, I'm wondering which autographs have "performed" the best since 2000. You know...which have shown the best "return on investment"?

Now I know most of us don't want to acquire a particular celebrity's autograph just because it is thought most likely to increase in value. If you're like me, I have to be a fan of the individual or individuals in order to seek out his or her autograph.

But I am curious as to which autographs have appreciated the most in value since the turn of the century.

Off the top of my head, I would think The Beatles and/or John Lennon in particular would be up there. Also, Babe Ruth always seems to be in ever high demand, and consistently going for higher and higher amounts. Michael Jackson autographs have really shot up in value since his death. And Prince autographs were worth a lot even before he died.

And we know that major historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Winston Churchill are always valuable. And there are many, many high-value celebrity autographs like Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, and many many more.

But really...current value is not the issue. The question is which autographs have increased THE MOST since 2000. So let's say, for example, an Abraham Lincoln cut autograph was worth $10,000 in 2000, and today is worth $10,250, well then Honest Abe's autograph would not really be considered a great return on investment.

So which do you think have performed the best? And if you have any numbers to back that up, all the better.

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Permalink Reply by Lee Miller on July 29, 2016 at 1:09am

I don't have 5, hell I don't have 1, what are the pieces you have the signature on?

Permalink Reply by James on July 28, 2016 at 5:17pm

Yes, you are correct, sir! I just looked it up. There are indeed 6 Shakespeare signatures known to have survived all the years. They are valued at roughly $5 million a piece! I guess Prince autographs really aren't all that pricey!

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Permalink Reply by Tony Bonich on July 29, 2016 at 2:11am

You've forgotten the rarest and most
Expensive one DYLAN !!!

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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on July 29, 2016 at 4:58am

If you want some true "investment" autographs for the future..... I'd say get the kids from the cast of Netflix' Stranger Things.

The best new show and best casting that I have seen in a long time.

It's 8 hours and I would say this show is the definition of entertainment designed for binge watching.

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Permalink Reply by Xwiesy on July 29, 2016 at 5:19am

Stranger Things is a great show.

Can't imagine the signatures being a good investment.

The only good investments in autographs are the icons.

Lately it's rock and roll.

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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on July 29, 2016 at 5:30am

All I see is Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson as willing children signers, if you paid someone to get them....might have cost ya $20-$50 in 1997.

Try touching a real graph from either today for under $500.

That to me is a good investment.

If even one of the 7 or 8 main kids becomes a big celebrity.......that's a win.

Might not be McCartney, Lennon or Dylan money......but how many average collectors can afford a pile of them to invest today?

Buy high & sell higher is one way to do it, but buying low to sell high.....works for me.

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Permalink Reply by Xwiesy on July 29, 2016 at 6:15am

I'm just not seeing it.

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Permalink Reply by TheThinWhiteDuke on February 5, 2019 at 11:47pm

3 years later I think Pete has a good point. Stranger things is still one of the biggest series. I just got my Millie Bobby Brown Autograph, and who knows what will happen with her...