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How to help prove the authenticity of your autographs

Hello,

My first post here, thanks for letting me join:)

In the last year or so I've found that I've inadvertently started collecting autographed items and decided it might be fun to keep collecting them as home decor.

I have no intentions of selling my items, but I am curious as to how to help authenticate them for people should I decide/need to sell them in the future, or should something happen to me and others sell them.

Since you can't take a picture of the person signing them what I'm thinking of doing is keeping reciepts showing I paid to attend the event, taking a photo of the signed item right after it is autographed so the meta data shows I attended the event and had the autographed item there, and jotting a note stating the name of the person, and the date, time, and location it was signed.

Any other suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Rich on January 14, 2016 at 7:56am

Are you talking about autographs from conventions? If so, you'll find that while some shows or individual celebrities are strict on photos, others are not so much. Photo proof is certainly possible at certain events.

Otherwise, it can't hurt to take pics of the circumstances - i.e. photos at the con and as much evidence as you can to document you were there. Keep in mind that every collector has there own perspective on photo proof and the varying degrees to which it's helpful.

Maybe try to get unique things (rare photos, toys, canvases, artwork, etc) signed and take photos with the item before and after you get in line?

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Permalink Reply by William Young on January 14, 2016 at 8:11am

Thanks for the reply.

Going forward, most of the autographs will likely be from conventions. I've only ever attended one convention before (this past November, had William Shatner sign a Khan DVD case insert). Photography was banned as they sold photos with the guests in a separate location, I'll admit I assumed that was the case for all cons. This was before my decision to decorate my work from home office with autographed posters.

My other in person autographs are a Toronto Blue Jay's pitcher signed ticket stub from 17 years ago (I don't even know who the pitcher is anymore), and a signed ticket stub from Don Ross and Callum Graham (finger picker guitarists.

Then my wife has a photography book that the author/photographer signed that I got her for Christmas. I have the receipt from that purchase showing the extra fee for the signature and an email chain with the photographer where he says he is signing it.

Finally, I have a novel by Jack Whyte that has a signature plate with his autograph on it that I actually found in a thrift store for sale for a buck a little over a decade ago - I have no idea whether it is authentic or not, but it'd be an odd one to forge and then donate away (by accident maybe).

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Permalink Reply by Rich on January 14, 2016 at 8:19am

Shatner is one known for being strict on photos. If you go to smaller conventions, you'll notice that not only the prices cheaper, but you can just photograph away in many instances.

A few conventions may offer on site certification - PSA, JSA or otherwise. Wizard World seems to have a authentication company called CGC on site for some of their cons.

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Permalink Reply by William Young on January 14, 2016 at 8:48am

It was banned in general at this location, only allowed in designated zones. It wasn't a large con, Shatner was the only real celebrity with a few B and C listers. Good to know other locations are different.

Thanks for your advice.

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