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LP or Page?

I have a question (which has probably been asked before, and if it has I apologies) – what is, generally speaking, more desirable – a perfect signed page or an OK signed LP?

Now I realise this could be a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type of question because it really does depend on the exact pieces, so I wouldn’t be surprised not to get any answers to my question, but it would be nice to get some general views. I know that all things being equal an album trumps a page (one of the main reasons being, in general, a signed LP is rarer than a signed page), but what if the page was pretty much perfect (perfect placement, 10 out of 10 condition, good size etc) and the LP was OK, so the signatures can still be made out but are not as nicely signed, placement is not great, condition is say 5-6 out of 10, then what?

For the purposes of this question I think we have to ignore the ultra-rare scenarios, i.e. a Doors signed LP in any condition is, I would suggest, going to be worth more than nearly any signed page because of its rarity. Or a perfect signed page that has major historic significance.

Here is an example of what I am talking about, this Rolling Stones page is pretty spot on:

Then there is this LP:

Or maybe this ACDC lot (the LP is actually in pretty good shape so you would have to imagine the condition was a little worse):

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Permalink Reply by Cogo on July 29, 2015 at 8:29pm

That's one if the nicest U2 autographs I've ever seen! Congrats Christopher!!

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Permalink Reply by Nate on July 30, 2015 at 12:26am

Wonderful piece Christopher (and great display).

Jan - you are completely right, my query was around OK signed LPs against perfect signed pages. I think most people here (but not all, which is great) will agree a perfect, or indeed near perfect, LP will trump a page (unless the page has historical significance).

The proliferation in sharpie signed LPs basically from the 80s onwards has meant that the availability of great quality autographed LPs from the bands/artists from that era onwards has increased. But if we look back prior to the 80s then great quality signed LPs are rare indeed, for reasons like: pen used, laminated covers, people not collecting like they do now etc etc.

So my question was also kinda to see if rarity wins over clarity. And the response seems to be a mixed bag, which is so lovely to see. If I had to lean one way or other I think I would say LP, only for the logic given around that the piece has something to do with the person, however sometimes the page is so nice that this logic goes out of the window and I view the page as superior.

Thank you to all for your views.

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Permalink Reply by J. Mikael on July 30, 2015 at 7:22am

I think many collectors of music autographs have also started out as record collectors. Then since you already have the album on hand, why not get it signed. After a while once the collection gets started one just sticks to their preferred/familiar format.

In theory an album at 12x12 inches should in most cases have more space compared to a page, but with vintage items and pens ideal placement was of course often impossible due to contrast and other factors mentioned.

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Permalink Reply by Peter C. on July 30, 2015 at 5:57am

IMO everything is better than just sheet of paper..... Sheet of paper is only the last option in extraordinary (for example not planned) situation when you have nothing else with you. But when you have a plan to get an autograph from any artist - it´s fair to take something done by him (LP, CD, DVD, tour merchandise.... whatever) - just to show you really are his fan and you payed money for his work. Frankly speaking - I dont understand why artists are willing to sign something completely unrelated to their "job" - asking guitar player to sign baseball is.... strange.

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Permalink Reply by Cogo on July 30, 2015 at 7:54am

I agree that this is the case today. But lets say in the early 70s when my Queen set were signed it must have been pretty common that autograph collectors hade a autograph book where they collected every celebrity they could meet, musicians, movie stars, sport stars and/or politicians...

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Permalink Reply by J. Mikael on July 30, 2015 at 9:22am

Apart from ones signed at promotional signings, I figure many premium items, like albums, from back then were obtained by people who were "connected". Even today knowing somebody in the band, the crew, media, venue or catering staff, etc. can be a great help.

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Permalink Reply by N.Steiger on July 31, 2015 at 3:06am

an LP is the artists ultimate form of physical output. Would you rather have a Rembrandt signed painting or a piece of paper.

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Permalink Reply by Nate on July 31, 2015 at 3:33am

N.Steiger - good to hear from you. I think most would agree with you, however we need to remember the parameters of the question, and in that instance some people to their credit have a preference for clarity of signature. To stick with the art 'theme' - Dali's autograph alone can be a thing of beauty, so would I prefer that on the 'busy' part of a lithograph print (where it may be difficult to see) or on, say, a plain book page? My preference in that instance would be the page.

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Permalink Reply by Cogo on July 31, 2015 at 8:41am

You're really think it's equal to choose between:

1. a Rembrandt signed painting or a signed paper by him

and

2. An album that been massproduced in a million copies with just ok signatures or a perfect signed page?

Yeah, that's seems reasonable... ;-)