Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cogo on July 29, 2015 at 7:03am

Fun discussion Nate!

I personally would take a perfect paper over a lesser album 7 days a week, since for me the number one priority is to get clear and "strong" signatures. 

Another thing I like about signed papers is that they give you the option to choose whatever photo you want and make your own display. Instead of getting perhaps a less esthetically attractive album cover, you can choose your favorite photo and frame that with your signed page like I have done with these ones (MJ, Queen and Elvis) from my collection:

That way I get really clear and strong signatures together with a great photo (of my choise) to display at home... :-)

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Permalink Reply by Nate on July 29, 2015 at 7:11am

Great pieces Jan, and thank you for providing your opinions.  Generally would you expect to pay about the same? less? or more? than an OK signed LP for signed pages (assuming the LPs are from a similar era to the signed pages)?

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Permalink Reply by Cogo on July 29, 2015 at 7:21am

Thanks Nate! :-)

I think a perfect page cost approx the same as an ok album, maybe even a bit less since most people seems to prefer an album. But I personally would be willing to pay more for a page with perfect signatures since that´s the only ones I want to have in my collection. I´m not interested in signatures that are faded, smudged or has other faults since I would "only" see the imperfections when looking at the signatures and hence not being able to fully enjoy them. That´s an "disorder" I have... ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Nate on July 29, 2015 at 7:27am

Interesting Jan, it is really good to know the world does possess these varied collectors.  I confess to having been under the impression that nearly everyone would choose an OK album over a page if the price were about the same.

BTW - A fine "disorder" to have when considering autographs Jan!

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Permalink Reply by Cogo on July 29, 2015 at 7:33am

:-)

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Permalink Reply by Rich on July 29, 2015 at 7:42am

Depends on the pieces in question.  Generally, I'd say LP for sure.  But I saw a U2 album page signed in Dec 1980 go for an unusually moderate amount a couple years back - and it probably represented one of the first autographs they signed in the US.  I'd take that over just about any LP.

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Permalink Reply by Nate on July 29, 2015 at 7:52am

Thanks Rich.  I definitely agree that particular historical significance to an autograph certainly will add value.

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Permalink Reply by J. Mikael on July 29, 2015 at 11:27am

Other things being equal, any signature on an album regardless of condition would nearly always trump a perfectly signed blank page for me. If on the other hand the page had an interesting letterhead, watermark, a date or a dedication, that could be different.

For some artists there are hundreds of slips of paper available to every album or a photo, which will always fetch a premium.

Albums were never cheap and also not the prevalent format (which was cassettes I believe) at any point in time. They're also awkward to carry around to concerts and sometimes harder to write on due to the glossy surface.

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

Thanks J.  The 'rarity' logic, especially for 50s, 60s and 70s signed pieces I believe is what makes the LP more desirable in most peoples eyes, for the vast majority of the time that will however mean the LPs autographs are less than ideal (placement, clarity etc), but for many rarity wins out.  Plus there is the point of view already given that signatures on something that is in some way connected to that person(s) skills/job is more desirable (LP for musician, guitar for guitarist, gloves for boxer, book for writer etc etc).

It is also refreshing to see that the world is made up of varying collectors and some will go for clarity of signature above all else, and for musicians prior to the 80s that will nearly always denote a signed page.

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Permalink Reply by 2t7o4rndea2r0 on July 29, 2015 at 12:33pm

Some of the things I consider are relative economic value and appreciation of the medium as art.  I'm about 23 pieces into building my small collection, and at this stage only 4 are albums (U2 Joshua Tree, Rattle Hum, U22 and Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon).  I have one piece of paper only.  But this is a piece of Pink Floyd Music Ltd. stationary signed by all 4 in 1973.  The rest of what I have now are lithographs, posters, photos and one drum head.  Two of the lithographs are Rolling Stones Tattoo You (49/50) and Bridges to Babylon (41/125).  My strong preference is to own the lithos over the LPs becuase of the size and strength of the images.  Properly framed, now they double as legit artwork.  Even two of the U2 albums were signed in the gatefold so when framed they look more like photoart than LPs.  Here's one, just for fun.

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Permalink Reply by J. Mikael on July 29, 2015 at 12:45pm

I was tempted to write a reply to a previous message pointing out that it's also possible (albeit more expensive) to turn albums into awesome display pieces, but I think the photo you just posted has made that point for me.

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Permalink Reply by Cogo on July 29, 2015 at 8:41pm

I don't think that anyone is questioning that a near perfect album (like Christophers fantastic U2 album) are worth more and/or can look better framed compared to a perfect page. But the question asked were:

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?

and that's the question I answered when I said I prefer a perfect page, since it's all about the signatures condition for me. But of course, I would also take a perfect album over a perfect page. Just that wasn't the question asked...

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