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Authenticity is Everything
Is Collecting Autographs Less Profitable ((From One Generation to the Next?? ))
I am fairly new to collecting autographs - and I do like to collect (as a hobby) and also because I am in hopes that the autographs that I do collect, may someday be valuable as an investment ( in case I need some cash as a nest egg of sorts) - Such as say with a major signer like one of the Beatles autographs, etc? But I also did hear that the next generation (the one younger than me), may not necessarily be interested in the same autographs (that I am interested in) and that this will determine AND QUITE POSSIBLY devalue the autographs that I have collected myself over a lifetime?..Can someone shed any light on this subject?? TY! =]
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rich on
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Maybe, but consider how many of today's top acts have illegible, awful looking scribbles for signatures that are frequently impossible to authenticate on the basis of the signature alone. That might make nicer looking signatures of yesteryear from bonafide legends that much more desirable.
And, in the case of the Beatles, I don't think you have to worry about a loss of interest, even as the years go by.
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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on
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If the autographs that you collect are among the "greats" in their respective fields, you should not have too much to worry about. 100 years in the future the likes of Einstein, Lincoln, Armstrong, Ruth, Washington, and even The Beatles will still be sought after.
Stick with collections of people, bands and even films that have stood the test of time. They will likely be the collectibles still sought after for generations to come.
Focus on Hall of Famers, not the hot rookie of today....stick with The Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind, The Godfather or Star Wars, not The Fast and The Furious 6 or Hot Tub Time Machine.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on
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I totally agree Pete. Well said.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Halloran on
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I think the only thing that might make autographs of the most famous/historic depreciate in value are the level of skilled forgers creating a higher level of fakes and those who are not properly trained passing on fakes from generation to generation. As technology gets smarter and more inventive I think we might find the level of skilled forgeries to increase.
I do however agree that the "big names" in their fields will increase in value as time goes on. Records have made a comeback to this generation even with digital and streaming of music, people want something tangible to hold onto and appreciate. So it will come down to level of appeal and supply and demand. I.E Hendrix, Morrison, Lennon, James Dean, so on and so forth who didn't get a chance to sign a ton because they died so early...Those will continue to rise for sure.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Gregory on
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The only way many of todays so called stars will be famous in years to come if they die suddenly. People like the Kardashians will be forgotten in 5 years nevermind 50 but if one died suddenly they may be worth more in years to come.
The classic stars will always be wanted and more so in years to come as many people over 35 yearn for stars of their childhood etc
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To me the "selfie craze" will keep autographs valuable. They also make great gifts. Don't worry about major signers or that someone's "too busy", plus you're ALWAYS going to find a mutual fan of someone out there that would prize that autograph because they had no way to get it themselves.
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Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on
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There are a couple of us on here that collect western television and movie stars. I doubt very much in another 20 years there will be a huge number collecting those, and I realize I will never get back what I have put into my collection. I would agree that if anyone was to get into for investment purposes then historical autographs in the form of letters and documents would be what I would do. Presidential, Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War II and Civil Rights era I suspect will hold their value over time. In the end though I would just collect what you truly enjoy and consider that your entertainment and anything you get out of them later on purely profit.
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What autographs in your collection do you prize in spite of the fact that it is very likely that most people have no idea who the signers are? I am sure that there are quite a few.
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You are right. Roy Engel, Joseph H. Hamilton, Cheerio Meredith, Will Wright, Harry Antrim, Roy Barcroft , George Ives, Helen Kleeb, and John Dehner come to mind as ones many younger people would not recognize let alone spend money for. Yet the autographs I have of them are priceless to me and I doubt I will ever sell those. I know I paid far more than the value of some Burt Mustin and Mabel Albertson letters, but I do not drink, smoke, do drugs or travel so I figure those my entertainment.
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That is a wonderful list of obscure names Scott. Thanks for the reply.
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Collect what you enjoy Susan. When I first began collecting Star Wars autographs I never imagined that my collection would be worth anything. It still may not be worth very much money in thirty years. Unless you are purchasing historical autographs and documents your collection will probably not achieve a very profitable return on your investment in the future.
Last November I was contacted about a Matthew McConaughey autograph. I was asked if I wanted to purchase one on an Interstellar photo. I declined and said that I would prefer his autograph on a Dallas Buyers Club photo because that is the film that he won the Oscar for. I have no idea which of the two will be worth more money in the future, but I simply do not care. I have no regrets because I purchased what I like without any consideration about what someone who has not been born yet will think of it in thirty years. Here is a link to the autograph.
http://live.autographmagazine.com/photo/matthew-mcconaughey?context...
One last consideration when making your purchases. Most young people today have absolutely no idea who Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are. They have never heard of Irving Fryar and Don Mattingly. I enjoy collecting their autographs because they are personal favorites of mine. Last year I purchased an Al Pacino autograph on a Serpico photo. I knew when I purchased it that it will not be worth as much as his autograph on a Scarface photo will be worth in the future, but I purchased it anyway because I liked it. Just purchase what you enjoy and you will never regret the collection that you build over time.
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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva on
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I agree with you Mike, and the others, that collecting purely for investment is not the way to go. There are easier ways of speculating.
Having said that, I couldn't get excited about a collection made up solely of relative unknowns or current stars that I know no one will be interested in 5 years from now.
I am sure I am not alone in wanting to own at least some things that others covet and in at least being aware of market values and potential re-sale opportunities when buying something that costs something and genuinely appeals to me.
I tend to buy based on 1) the fame, achievements and rarity of the signer (and if I am brutally honest whether they are alive or not!), 2) links between the signer and something else in my various collections (autographs, movie posters, postcards, books and magazines etc.) and 3) the visual appeal of the item.
There has to be an element of factor 3) in anything I buy and quite often factors 2) and 3) are enough on their own. If 1) doesn't apply the autograph will probably not cost much anyway.
I am not really interested in anything post-1990 so there is not much risk of me buying a so-called "one hit wonder" celebrity.
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