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Autograph or Art?

I have recently expanded my autograph collection to include original comic and sports art.  I created a discussion about it two years ago.  The hobby seems to be growing in popularity.  There is a growing interest in not only commissioning artists to produce original works, but to also have the original works autographed by celebrities and athletes.  I am currently undecided about having original comic and sports art autographed.  I am considering it for a few of my pieces.

Original Comic and Sports Art (Signed and Unsigned)

I am also very curious about whether or not the signature of an artist is considered to be an autograph, or simply an extension of the artwork.  Consider the Batman pencil and ink drawing that I commissioned Neal Adams to draw.  Neal is a comic artist based in Manhattan.  The drawing is 14” x 11”.

My Batman pencil and ink drawing that I commissioned Neal Adams to draw.

A Neal Adams autograph is something that many collectors purchase, particularly if it is on a comic book or print of his work.  Is the signature on original artwork an autograph, or is it simply an extension of the original artwork?  Perhaps the signature is an autograph, and the artwork is an extension of it?

This topic can become very complicated if we also consider how acceptable it is to restore an original painting, but how unacceptable it would be to restore an original autograph.  The Vatican is constantly restoring historic works of art.  When was the last time that a Babe Ruth autographed baseball was restored without controversy?  The difference between autographs and art will forever be determined by collectors, and what we are willing to accept.

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Comment by Mike Shepherd on April 1, 2021 at 9:27pm

Thanks, BC.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on April 1, 2021 at 9:36pm

Materials are definitely a concern, and will continue to be.  The more historic the item, the more acceptable some form of restoration may be.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on April 1, 2021 at 9:37pm

Very nice, Doug.  Thanks for sharing.

Comment by Steve Zarelli on April 9, 2021 at 6:13am

First... WOW on the Neal Adams commission. Fantastic. I have a Adam's Conan sketch on a comic backing board I picked up cheap many years ago for like $75. Prices are through the roof now on comic art. Glad I bought what I did back in the 90s.

I believe many artists artistically and strategically place their signatures in a way that it complements the art around it. So I believe it is an autograph AND part of the artwork.

If it was a signature in the white margin at the bottom of a comic art page, then it is simply an autograph.

For what it's worth, I believe many Jack Kirby original art pages were ghost signed by his proxy, which in my mind is a huge detraction. 

Comment by Mike Shepherd on April 10, 2021 at 2:07am

Thanks for the comment, Steve.  I agree about a signature in the white margin at the bottom of a work of art.

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