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Does the look of a celeb’s autograph ever keep you away?

We’ve all seen our share of celebrity autographs that leave much to be desired. Some are just downright dreadful. I sometimes wonder why all celebrities can’t have nice autographs like Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, or Wilt Chamberlain. Wow...those are all sports stars. But there are other celebs with nice autographs like Carrie Fisher, Marilyn Monroe, Dean Marin, and Frank Sinatra. Okay those are old-timers. But not even all old-timers have nice autographs, but generally speaking, old-school beats the newcomers.

In general, celebrity autographs seem to be getting worse. So many younger stars, for whatever reason, are just giving a squiggle or two...or just their sloppy initials...and that’s it. But is that really even an autograph? And how in the world can a curved line or two that anyone could make possibly be legitimately authenticated by a TPA?

Ive thought about getting an Al Pacino, who’s one of my favorite actors ever, but most of the stuff out there looks almost impossible to authenticate. Also, I’ve thought about a Margot Robbie autograph. She’s probably the best-looking female movie star alive, and she’s got a great personality to go along with her looks. But I’ve looked at some autographed photos, and her autograph is ridiculous! It seems to be getting worse with the younger celebrities. I just wish some would have a little more pride in their autograph...that’s all.

So what about you? Are there celebs whose autograph you’d love to have but have decided to pass on because their graph is so bad? And even if it’s authenticated, you’d always wonder...did I get the real thing? Because how can a scribbled line or two really be legitimately passed by a TPA?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on July 3, 2018 at 5:39am

Absolutely. There are many celebrities and athletes who I would like to collect if only they had a decent signature. Instead, I decided not to add it to my collection if it’s just a scribble. I do not enjoy looking at it, so why bother?

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Permalink Reply by James on July 3, 2018 at 2:04pm

Yeah, I love looking at a nice autograph, but if it doesn’t even resemble a signature, what’s the point?

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Permalink Reply by Patrick1977 on July 3, 2018 at 5:57am

Jarred Leto 30 seconds to mars for example his "graph" is just a joke

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Permalink Reply by Travis Christenberry on July 3, 2018 at 12:18pm

Yes Jarred Leto is the absolute worse. It's just a few lines with an arrow. The whole band of 30 Seconds To Mars are just a bunch of scribble.

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Permalink Reply by James on July 3, 2018 at 2:09pm

Hi, Travis. Thought I’d say hello to the guy who got me started with this site now over four years ago! I may not have become a member here without your suggestion. Thanks. Yes everyone...Travis is to blame! :0) lol. Hope you’re doing well.

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Permalink Reply by Travis Christenberry on July 3, 2018 at 7:04pm

Thanks for this. But i don't remember how i referred you to this site. I'm glad you've enjoyed it over here. There are some really great people on this site.

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Permalink Reply by James on July 3, 2018 at 7:55pm

I believe it was you who sold me a Michael Jackson signed LP on eBay that was authenticated by Roger Epperson a little over four years ago. At the time I didn’t even know who Roger was or if he was legit. I did some research and found that Roger was, in fact, legit. You and I corresponded a few times, and you told me about AML and that I should join if I was really into autographs. So I’m really glad I did. I may not have found this site without your recommendation. Thanks! At least I’m pretty sure it was you.

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Permalink Reply by James on July 4, 2018 at 11:03pm

Travis, it was Michael Jackson’s earlier album One Day in Your Life. That was my second autograph purchase in some time, after a Babe Ruth ball I bought, and it really got me back into,collecting again after an hiatus of five years or so. It was a really nice autograph, signed large and boldly in silver paint pen. I no longer have it though because I sold it to gather funds to buy an MJ signed Thriller LP. Anyway, as I said that was over four years ago, so I understand if you don’t remember. But I’m sure glad you recommended this site.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on July 3, 2018 at 6:07am

Since I am only a couple years younger than Carrie Fisher I will forgive you including her with the "old-timers" lol. Your point is well taken though and i think there are couple reasons for it. Most of the older actors actually appreciated their fans and in days before the mega-million deals they had to. If people did not line up for movies they did not get movie offers. So many stars gratefully signed autographs to be treasured by fans. Today with it being more of a business actors tend to think everyone is out to make a buck off them. I suppose if I were in their position I would start just signing my initials. Like my friend Steve Z. I collect signatures not squiggly or flat lines. I think some young stars also sign that way because of Pacino and others.

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Permalink Reply by Joe W. on July 3, 2018 at 6:19am

I blame the Internet. It is a two edged sword. It's a great medium to find sources and knowledge but it also has created many more autograph chasers. The business side is killing the hobby side.

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Permalink Reply by James on July 3, 2018 at 1:36pm

I agree, Joe. The internet, and specifically eBay, has a lot to do with this, imo. So many stars are hounded by professional autograph chasers. And stars start to think that everything they sign is not for a true fan, but rather for a chaser who will end up just putting the autograph on eBay for sale. So why give this chaser a nice autograph. I’ll just scribble something. I think that’s definitely part of the equation. Plus, a scribble means less time until the star can make their getaway.