"Here are two very special items in this context:"
Authenticity is Everything
Tim Haft's Discussions
Do Inscriptions Like “Thank You” or “Best Wishes” Affect Autograph Value?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Eric Keith Longo Jan 6. 17 Replies 0 Likes
It’s common knowledge that an autograph addressed to a specific person (for example, “To Sally”) usually decreases its value, but what about inscriptions like “Thank you” or “Best wishes”? Continue
Cassius Clay
Started this discussion. Last reply by terrier8HOF Aug 12, 2025. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Looking for opinions Continue
Mickey Mantle
Started this discussion. Last reply by terrier8HOF Aug 10, 2025. 4 Replies 0 Likes
I’m confident this Mantle is legit, but I wanted to ask anyway just to be sure. What do you think?Continue
Opinions on Muhammad Ali photo
Started this discussion. Last reply by Steve Jul 5, 2025. 3 Replies 0 Likes
The signature doesn’t immediately look bad to me but it’s only $125 which is questionable. What do you think? Continue
Tim Haft's Page
Latest Activity
"Where the name was - that area was totally resurfaced and recolored. It looked very odd with the name removed - the placement was off after the "surgery." This is what Michelle was saying. "
"+1 "
"My general observation is that a lot of new collectors were brought into the hobby with the advent of cable shopping channels where sports memorabilia was mass marketed, and then of course with the invention of the internet. Many if not most…"
"Ms. Atwood - got another... 15-20(?) pieces last year. Closing in on 150."
"Hi Crazyrabbit. so which author out of interest do you have an impressive 140 signed items?"
"plus one"
"I would say an added inscription without the use of a specific person's name adds value, especially to a rarer signature. The more writing, the better. I have a George Foreman signed 8x10 and he put an inscription about loving…"
"My rule of thumb is:
1) The rarer the signer, the more important having additional handwriting becomes. It's not true in every single case, but I've never really seen an argument from a bookseller or third-party about why a historic…"
"And there is this. Gloria Swanson signed photograph as seen in the film. She has actually written the name of the film as well as "1949" which is the year before release. Inscriptions like these add value if anything. The Garland is made…"
"I wasn't even sure I had plain "Best wishes" but I do:
But to me that is lifeless compared to the following playfully written 1951 Fredric March: "For rev. Jack Leon from his salesman friend (handkerchiefs) Willy…"
"In some cases you have no choice. It would be foolish to pass on a vintage set of Honeymooners signatures because of a dedication. That is how more they come. Six of the seven sets I know of are dedicated. There was an eighth I had but that has been…"
"I never said it was universally true. I said it usually decreases value. "
"A bland "Thank You" accompanied by a signature but not addressed to an individual by name would make me suspicious. Who does that?"
"It’s common knowledge that an autograph addressed to a specific person (for example, “To Sally”) usually decreases its value
Like Eric, I don't believe that is univerally true, Tim. There is bound to be a proportion of buyers…"
"Would you say generally just having “Thank you” is good, bad, or neutral?"
About Me
- What kind of member are you? (Check as many as apply.)
- Collector, Fan
- What would you like to tell us about yourself, your collecting, or business.
- I like collecting any autographs
- What is your level of expertise?
- Intermediate Collector
- Why do you want to join Autograph Live?
- Ask about authenticity
- Who can we thank for telling you about us?
- Friends
- What are your areas of interest?
- Sports, Music, Modern Hollywood and Stage, Classic Hollywood and Stage, History/Politics, Space/Aviation/Military, Books/Literature, SciFi, Horror
- Why do you collect?
- It's interesting
- What is your favorite autograph in your collection?
- Muhammad Ali
- You can ask anyone living or dead for their autograph. Who would it be?
- Bruce Lee
- What is today's date?
- October 9, 2000
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