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Personalized signed photos vs just signed photos value

Wondering about the value of personalized photos versus the value of just autographed photos. I have numerous photos, mostly press/publicity photos that my late brother had acquired thru his job - a music writer for numerous newspapers and his own website. I have a stack for maybe 35 not personalized and a stack of maybe 50 personalized. Wondering what you folks think the difference in value would be, as I plan on selling all, individually ? I would think they would be of more value without being personalized, but would there be a large difference you think ?

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Permalink Reply by EJ on June 12, 2019 at 6:55pm

+1 for Eric. The personalizing also quickly eliminates the prospect of an autopen, and can provide more handwriting and interest (particularly if the recipient is noteworthy or the inscription is novel / interesting).

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Permalink Reply by marc e on June 12, 2019 at 6:56pm

Personalized does not rule out auto pen

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Permalink Reply by rob kunne on June 13, 2019 at 11:26am

don't you know how many secretarial writing is above a autopen autograph?. more than you think.

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Permalink Reply by EJ on June 12, 2019 at 7:07pm

I collect historical / political autographs and it surely does help when making that assessment (when there’s a date, etc).

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Permalink Reply by James on June 12, 2019 at 8:58pm

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Permalink Reply by EJ on June 12, 2019 at 7:13pm

Here is Steven Raab’s assessment from his website:

“How can the average collector tell an autopen when he has no appropriate reference books? Look closely at the signature for any signs of shakiness, as the machine sometimes leaves autographs with a slightly tremulous look. Some autopens (particularly in the earlier years) left little deposits of extra ink at the beginning and end of names or at breaks, where the machine stopped in its track. Numerous autopen patterns are more legible than the person’s typical signature, so if you can read every letter of a signature usually found more as a scribble (Nixon and Lyndon Johnson are cases in point), that indicates an autopen. How can the average collector tell an autopen when he has no appropriate reference books? Look closely at the signature for any signs of shakiness, as the machine sometimes leaves autographs with a slightly tremulous look. Some autopens (particularly in the earlier years) left little deposits of extra ink at the beginning and end of names or at breaks, where the machine stopped in its track. Numerous autopen patterns are more legible than the person’s typical signature, so if you can read every letter of a signature usually found more as a scribble (Nixon and Lyndon Johnson are cases in point), that indicates an autopen. Although some newer autopens include a formulaic, impersonal greeting in addition to the signature, none prior to about 2007 inscribed an item to a specific individual or wrote any individualized content. Thus, extra writing beyond such a greeting precludes the finding of an autopen. In fact, Bill Clinton often signaled that he had payed personal attention to a letter by adding a few extra words in his hand, canceling out the possibility of an autopen. For this reason, we often favor inscriptions on photographs and other items signed after about 1960.

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Permalink Reply by Yvonne Haymes on June 12, 2019 at 7:23pm

After 1960 (1961) or before (say 1959) ?

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Permalink Reply by Yvonne Haymes on June 12, 2019 at 7:24pm

Thank you for your reply. I had not thought about those reasons for someone wanting a personalized autograph. Makes some sense to me.

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Permalink Reply by marc e on June 12, 2019 at 9:14pm

u are missing the point of the question he asked about value . go and try to seel a personalized verse a non personalized see the difference in price and 99% of time non will win out by alot

and yes everything is for sale as u will be dead one day and ur kids or wife will be selling it and pissed when they here I wish it wasn't perszoniled or I would be happy to buy it or sell it for you