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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 Rick Badwey on October 7, 2010 at 3:45am: Bill, yup. But, in the end, we need to make people aware of autograph collecting, but not ebay style. You would be surprised that I have had people send me (bogus) autographs, unknowingly, to frame for them they have bought either on ebay or from a crook and brag how much they saved. How pitiful! And, by the way, these are the people who realize that once they are duped, they flee the field like mice.