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LAMINATED Autographs - Acceptable Or Not?

I'd enjoy hearing feedback on this topic. Let's say it's a very rare signer whom you've searched far and wide for. You find them....and the piece is laminated (could be an album page, a handwritten letter, etc.).

What would you do? Buy it for it's significance and your desire to have something from them? Pass on it because of the lamination? Offer less than what an unlaminated piece might be worth?

Also, I'm wondering if the laminate affects the ability to authenticate a signature, the same way as being in a plastic sleeve or framed under glass would?

Does lamination matter? Why or why not?

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Comment by Herman Darvick on January 2, 2022 at 8:11am: True. The lamination is preserving a piece that is now nearly 100 years old. Yet, there are literally thousands of documents and letters that are not laminated that are in excellent condition. And lamination of any autograph (signature, letter, document, photograph, etc.) decreases its salability, hence, its value.

Comment by Wildy on January 5, 2022 at 8:11am: It depends on what you mean by 'value'. If it's an autograph you've been wanting for years and the price is right, go for it. You may or may not see it again. If the 'value' you seek is owning something that someone touched/signed, then you are set. If you are looking for resale value down the line, then pass. It's all in what you want out of it. It's a fact that gets lost here sometimes.

Comment by Herman Darvick on January 5, 2022 at 9:16am: I agree 100% on everything you say!

Comment by Mike Shepherd on January 11, 2022 at 2:51am: Laminating an autographed item definitely decreases the value of the autograph. I feel the same way about varnish on a baseball. I do not feel the same way about dry mounting.

Comment by Herman Darvick on January 11, 2022 at 7:41am: I completely agree! After over 50 years in the "autograph business," I have found that some people won't bid on or buy a framed autograph because the possible buyer might not want the frame and have no idea how the autograph itself has been affixed (glued? pasted?) before it's framed.

Comment by Eric Keith Longo on January 11, 2022 at 8:11am: I stay away from framed items. Best case I hate the frame and mat and it is not acid free/archival, worst case is like the M Jackson I saw "mouted" with duck/duct tape when I was a framer. Auction houses go right to "as is" with framed items - and a lot more.