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Displaying autographed books - Best methods

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if I can receive some advice from the community regarding various ways or methods you display your autograph book(s). Specifically, I am referring to a book which has been signed on an inside page and would need to be opened in order to be adequately displayed. Feel free to post pictures from your collections.

Thanks and have a great day!

Corey

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Permalink Reply by Rich on May 11, 2015 at 12:07pm

I don't gather that signed books are typically displayed at all. Given the size and weight (and cost) of any given shadowbox display that would be needed to frame a book - and the fact that suck a display wouldn't look all that great - I think most people refrain from displaying books in any sort of a frame. I've heard some people talk about clipping the signature or cutting the entire page from a book for the purpose of easy display, but you'll get plenty of collectors dissuading you from that as it kind of defeats the purpose of a signed book.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Moylan on May 11, 2015 at 12:28pm

Thanks for the info Rich! Would you recommend a type of plastic/UV cover for the book to keep it preserved?

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Permalink Reply by Rich on May 11, 2015 at 12:34pm

Possibly something to keep moisture out? I guess that's more of a book preservation question then. Bagsunlimited.com has an enormous assortment of great items for storage and preservation, but I'm not sure what would be most ideal for an entire book.

If you have something especially rare or special to you, you can always go the shadowbox route, although you would certainly have to find a very experienced framer, and the cost would likely be quite high.

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Permalink Reply by Mike T on May 11, 2015 at 1:00pm

my advice is don't do anything, it's impossible to frame a book opened without damaging the spine or overextending the pages. I keep all my books in a special bookcase, especially if they are valuable. Don't get books signed if you are looking for display pieces :-)

If you don't care about the value of the book or autograph, cut out the autographed page and frame that, but that destroys the value of the book and cut autographs aren't worth as much either.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Moylan on May 11, 2015 at 1:04pm

Thanks for the great advice Rich and Mike. Sounds like keeping them in a safe place is the way to go. Cheers!

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Permalink Reply by James on May 11, 2015 at 10:18pm

You could consider getting a clamshell case or a slipcase to put your signed book in to protect it. A clamshell case will protect your book all the way around, as the book will be enclosed. I am planning to do that with a book I have that is signed by JFK. It just has to be specially made. A bookstore in Beverly Hills said they could make one for me for $550! But I found someone else who will make one for about $130.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on May 11, 2015 at 10:23pm

I have a signed book I think I'm just going to rip the signed page out, than cut the pictures out of book. But the guys who frame wouldn't have any trouble doing it.

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Permalink Reply by James on May 11, 2015 at 11:20pm

They'll do anything you want as long as you pay them. Sounds like a girl I met in Las Vegas! Lol. I've never even been to Las Vegas.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on May 11, 2015 at 11:27pm

But tell them you want it framed for preservation, they have a tendency of taking posters and sticking them to that foam. Hangover starring James number 3.

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Permalink Reply by James on May 11, 2015 at 11:57pm

Now I would enjoy making that movie!

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Permalink Reply by Nate on May 11, 2015 at 11:51pm

My suggestion is (if it is more than a one-time thing) invest in a good scanner and printer (or become friends with someone who has them :-)) and frame up prints of the original. If it's a good quality scanner and printer then you will hardly know the difference and it means you can secure the originals somewhere safe and you don't have to worry about damage. Another massive plus is you don't need to pay out for UV/Anti-glare glass/museum mount etc for the display piece. Also if, heaven forbid, you were ever burgled there is a good chance they would only run off with some worthless copies!

I have a very delicate signed Billie Holiday book that I have done just that with. The original book is now in a custom-made clamshell and a copy of the signed page is on display.