Is autograph collecting going the way of the 8-track tape?

Will we see Abraham Lincoln signed commissions sell for $1000 one day?

Lately, I have noticed people selling off their collections they have enjoyed for years. I have also noticed very few people entering the field. Since my interest lies with early historical and political, I can only speak for this area. But I can bet that other fields, like modern entertainment, are suffering even more, especially with the negative publicity of forgeries.

Maybe there are other factors, like the youth want instant gratification through technology. Maybe the culture of America of the whitebread Boy Scout of collecting no longer exists.

Some may say the economy, but usually in a poor economy people, both with and without means, would still take an active role, maybe to a lesser degree.

I am in my 40s and still enjoy the field, but am I the exception?

Collectors, dealers, auctioneers please share your thoughts and experiences. If you feel that we are in a downward spiral, what can we do to reverse that trend and stir more interest?

Tags: collecting, future, historical, interest, political, presidential

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Comment by roger epperson on October 6, 2010 at 8:34am: The music autograph business is quite good.

Comment by Stephen Duncan on October 6, 2010 at 9:23am: NO (in my opinion) autograph collecting is NOT going the way of the 8-Track. Are you kidding me?
There are more autograph conventions across this country each year than the previous year. There are more book signings and much more personal appearances then ever. I am going to a show this Saturday that has over 95 celebs, then going to another on 10/15. Autograph conventions are 1000% TRIVING (at least the vast majoity of the ones that know how to do them right).

You want to quit getting ripped off, .....ya want to sleep at night......, be patient, understand you are not going to be able to get everyone you want, be reasonable with your collection, and get your autographs ONLY from the celebrity themselves (via their website), from the conventions via mail order or strictly in person.

Education is the key: http://www.rockandrollcollection.com/collecting_autographs.html

Comment by Stephen Duncan on October 6, 2010 at 9:27am: .......................as far as dead celeb's and dead historical, that too may not be as dead as one might think. Look into contracts and studio type of letterhead documentation. Just stay away from all that cruddy secretary stuff that was signed in the thousands during the '50's and since.

There is SO many ways to get real autographs these days the only thing stopping you and me is a shortage of $$$.

Comment by Rick Badwey on October 6, 2010 at 10:13am: I agree on historical that as long as their are signings and Hollywood, there will be interest. But how about vintage stuff? Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe? These are collected by more advanced or older collectors. People are always going to political events or book signings to get autographs, but it stops there. Do they have a desire to get THomas Jefferson or U.S. Grant?

Comment by Bill Panagopulos on October 6, 2010 at 1:08pm: Rick, to paraphrase frank Zappa: "Autograph collecting isn't dead..it just smells funny"

The very few old time collectors who built huge collections are pretty much out, as I see it. The new trend is toward many new collectors buying a few pieces each as "wall-hangers", and then they in turn get out. People are also buying whatever is trendy culturally at the time - right now it's WWII thansk to recent television and big-screen movies and books.

Comment by Stephen Duncan on October 6, 2010 at 1:48pm: RICK: What exactly is an "old time collector?" (just curious)...........

If there was as much knowledge and as many conventions back in 1984 when I started collecting as there is now, I sure could have saved so many very late nights and even more $$$$. In a strong way, I envy those newer collectors/those just starting. They are the beneficiary of not having to make the amount of mistakes that guys like me made.

Comment by Rick Badwey on October 6, 2010 at 2:00pm: Steve, I used the term "advanced or older collectors", Not old time! Again, the autographs I am referring to are the traditional items, like presidential, historical and political......not Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt!

There are only a couple shows dealing with the more vintage stuff

Comment by Bill Panagopulos on October 6, 2010 at 4:54pm: In twenty years, they'll be saying "Brad who?', not "Abraham who?". Get it?

Comment by Rick Badwey on October 6, 2010 at 6:33pm: True, I am amazed people care about these bubble gum celebrities. It is one thing with Humphrey Bogart, the Beatles or other vintage people, but Brad Pitt, Celine Dion, etc?

We do need to stress the seriousness of these items and get more involved. That is why a Lincoln commission is worth the same today as 15 years ago.

Comment by Bill Panagopulos on October 6, 2010 at 9:06pm: Rick, you just can't tell people what to like and not like - they'll collect what they choose. But remember that fads go in and out. Always buy the names that made REAL history. Who would you rather own in the long run - Edward VIII or Edward Scissorhands?

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