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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 Paul on July 24, 2016 at 10:15pm

Hi James, im thinking George Harrison possibly could be on the up and up because he passed in 2001 and some of his autographs on Beatles lp's are really expensive these days.

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Permalink Reply by James on July 24, 2016 at 11:26pm

Good choice, Paul. I think you're right about good old George. And also John Lennon, which everyone knows is always highly coveted. But 10-15 years ago, you could still get John Lennon's autograph at relatively reasonable prices, but the value of his autograph just continues to go up and up and up.

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Permalink Reply by James on July 24, 2016 at 11:31pm

Oh, and I'd probably also say that Kurt Cobain's sig has really gone way, way up, wouldn't you?

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Permalink Reply by Rich on July 27, 2016 at 7:46pm

I don't know if I'd qualify it as "best investment" given the overall difficulty in authentication.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas William on July 25, 2016 at 1:24pm

I agree..Harrison has plenty of room to move up. I personally think signed checks are an excellent investment. Look at what Lennon checks are going for 5k and up.

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Permalink Reply by JackGotLucky on July 25, 2016 at 1:59am

In 2002, Heritage sold a Jim Morrison signed bank check for $800.- Today, if you can find one, be prepared to spend $5,000.- + Also, a JDM signed photo was bought for about $3,000.- in the mid 2000's and RR sold one recently for $15,000.- Jack...