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apologies if this does not belong here. I figured I'd ask in this thread since Taupin is just as much a part of Eltons music as Elton is..

I recently acquired a book signed by Bernie "The One Who Writes The Words". It is my 2nd Taupin autograph. The other being a JSA authenticated check. One of these will go into a collection im constantly putting together for my daughter. The other is for me to keep. Im thinking about cutting the signature out of the book and matting with an Elton signature since im most likely keeping the book for myself. I have a small collection of signed books but 90% of the books in my collection, I cut the autographs out. Im not a fan of having an autograph hidden inside a book ill only read once. The books I collect for my daughter are remaining uncut as to let her make her own decision in the future.

Im wondering if there is a good reason not to cut out this signature? If I decide to sell my collection on 30 years for retirement money or whatever, will I regret not having this signature in the book?

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IMHO I would cut it if I was going to mount it next to an Elton sig so you have the 2  sigs in this partnership together

Thanks for the reply,  that is what I'm leaning towards. I just want to take my time with this decision and be absolutely sure.

The book doesn't seem hard to find at all and many are listed on ebay unsigned for $10 to $20. Ill give it a few days to decide with a clear head

I'd never do that. You cut away all context. If you wanted a cut buy a cut - don't destroy a signed book, Sell it and buy what you want as you want it. We are not editors.

I get what you are saying. Thats also a good point. Im not sure I want to spend money on selling fees to buy an autograph I already have though. This is for sure a different perspective I'm not thinking about. I appreciate the feedback. You are definitely not wrong, but for some reason I feel like fighting you on this lol.. (in a good way to make the overall best decision) the books I cut are always available to a great extent on ebay. They are recent releases where the book is easy to find unsigned as well as signed. This book is also easy to find but the signature is not. One of the last books I cut was the expensive Renegades book and I feel extremely happy with the outcome. 

Honestly I see your point 100% and it could make me undecided on this overall. Im definitely going to give your opinion more thought. Really appreciate the reply.

I’m with Eric on this one.  I always try to maintain the integrity of the original piece of memorabilia, no matter what it is.  The thought of destroying a book is cringeworthy to me.

hit me up if interested in selling or trading it bud thanks 

Stepeanut is on the ball. See Jason? You might make a deal right here with Brian :)

Please, don't destroy the book. There will be one less for someone who needs it, and you won't have one.

It's bad enough some will be lost in fires, accidentaly thrown away, lost in a flood etc. over the upcoming years. Note the causative agent is negatve. To cut a book - add to the loss - I just couldn't do it. The title alone makes me want to see it, signed. We are just stewards of our collections.

I know there are many people out there who contemplate doing this every day to books. I appreciate the feedback and even if I fight you all, it doesn't mean I do not agree. ive learned from another thread there are hundreds, maybe thousands of lurkers reading these forums who will never post. I feel its important to look at every angle with constructed criticism. Even if no one needs this info now, a year from now it still may help someone out.  

You bring up an interesting point. Another big reason I hate books is because of the possibility of damage. If tornado sirens go off, in grabing my family 1st and heading to an area where its safe. If there is any opportunity, I will grab a binder i have made, with acid free protection, which has many autographs and is easy to carry. I would never think to grab books. I know what you are going to say.. stop buying books. Lol its hard not to when in many cases its a cheap way to get a real autograph which can easily be matted. Im an autograph collector, not a book collector.. books will always be a tempting source for an autograph im hunting. 

How do you all feel about me cutting the renegades book? Or how about one of the many books widely available that are autographed which do not sell out? Is there a difference or do you feel its all the same?

I count it all the same as there are too many variables. One thing I can say is I don't like cuts - unless there are collectors notes on the back it's just a signature(s) w/o context. Many collectors will avoid cuts if at all possible.

Another for the sake of argument.. the Renegades book currently has much more value as a cut. Ive seen a Mindy kaling book go unsold for weeks at $10 but a signed card sell for more money way faster. The Natalie Portman signed books can still be bought for $65, yet I see encapsulated cuts sell for hundreds. There is a market for cuts because i am part of the market. Signed index cards are clean. Signature is completely visible and it can be easily matted and stored safely. Just my opinion but I've evolved to this method over years of trying to figure out best storage while being able to still build an autograph collection and keep the wife happy at the same time. Ive researched prices here and there for long term investments for my daughter especially. CD booklets, index cards and cuts have become my favorite items to collect. I can always change the photo its matted to for personal preference. 

I do know there are many different types of collectors. Many of which are searching for specific items signed.. but I think the market for cuts are bigger than you realize. People are creating custom trading cards with smaller autographs. They are actually pretty popular for collectors who came from the sports card side of collecting. Im still going to wait to see if more opinions come in on this topic but I can't stress enough how I can 100% see how this would be considered destruction and I would be taking away context as you said.. i just still see an upside as im sure others out there do as well

"...yet I see encapsulated cuts sell for hundreds..."

Uninformed people. Newbies like cuts because they are cheap. Others like to buy them cheap, matte with a photo and charge the sky to said newbies. I see no upside. It's so simple to just leave at is intended and as is.

I'd like to hear from those who prefer and collect cuts. There won't be many who would choose the cut over a book. The cut is a signed snippet of paper - the book has a publiher, a date, it's an official product and so on. You have the dustjacket I presume?

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