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Permalink Reply by Barry S on January 7, 2018 at 11:27am

When this topic came up through the years I never really agreed with the answers. My eyes were opened a while back when we came pretty close to moving. I’ve collected for 20 years, 95% of all are framed and hanging in my game room. Around 80 pieces only I love. I just kept collecting never thinking about it much. I have many (high end) and many more I have more in framing than what it’s worth. I totally agree with you guys, I haven’t bought a piece in over a year. I think I’m done. I love shooting so I’ve really been into building my gun collection. No doubt my H&Ks, Sigs, S&W, Etc are all real and will hold their value. 

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Permalink Reply by sling on January 7, 2018 at 6:31pm

that's an 11.5% annual growth rate. OK but not spectacular

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Permalink Reply by Bjorn VDB on January 7, 2018 at 11:50am

I disagree and think autographs can be a good investment. You just have to put time in it to study and carefully consider your purchases. And know when to sell them. Why can’t they be put in the same league as shares, real estate, art,... For these you also have to study.

Of course a Lars Ulrich drumhead won’t be worth a thing in 30 years. Everyone can forge his autograph and there are 10000’s out there. It mostly comes down to rarity and popularity.

There are dozens of names that keep on growing in value for decades and I’m sure that this will be the case with more recent artists too. People love rare stuff like limited edition LP’s. And maybe in a few decades nobody will sign anymore (all digitalized) and records won’t be produced anymore, which could make it even more rarer. 

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Permalink Reply by sling on January 7, 2018 at 6:34pm

agree with last paragraph

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Permalink Reply by Barry S on January 7, 2018 at 6:36pm

I think you are right about the timing. I always thought my kids could sell my collection when they are older. Now I wonder how many will even know all the people I’ve collected. 

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Permalink Reply by Ian Baldock on January 7, 2018 at 7:05pm

The super famous might be an investment. Everybody else,its time to cashout when they die. Most drop in value later and are soon forgotten.Many people are in for a rude awakening .

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Permalink Reply by goodcat on January 7, 2018 at 7:14pm

I agree w/ this Ian

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Permalink Reply by sling on January 7, 2018 at 9:12pm

and you can bet that anyone new who gets into the big league will sell directly to fans in quantities 1000 times what old timers did. And it is getting harder and harder to get anything that is special.  I mean Mccartny/Lennon woulds  ball up lyrics and throw them in trash cans, or give to cab drivers as tips-no more,  but back then what an innocent time even for the crazy Beatles world. That is why the 1 percenters will continue to pay so much for those certain few bands-probably at least for the next 30 years before things might peak

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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva on January 7, 2018 at 10:36pm

Referring back to the original question, I agree with the first response (from Pete).

The only really safe bets are the big names and cult figures who appear to have a timeless appeal. It seems unlikely that Einstein will suddenly be forgotten for example.

That doesn't mean that Einstein & Co. will go up, up and up of course and I wouldn't recommend treating autographs like stocks and shares. For one thing they are very illiquid. For another, value increases can be more than eaten up by buyer's and seller's premiums at auction and by dealers' margins if you buy and sell through them.

Personally speaking, I do not collect autographs for investment but of course I hope to see a decent return if I ever do sell. As I rarely buy from "top end" dealers or auction houses I think I have a decent chance.

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