Page 24 - May 2020

Can I have your
Autograph?

by Maxine Carter-Lome
Publisher

ince ancient Roman times, a man’s ability to sign his name these types of documents
separated him from the masses and marked him as a member of was a natural extension of
Sthe ruling class at a time when all but a very few were illiterate. A their business, and by the
man’s signature entitled him to make decisions that affected people, mid-1800s, many were
property, and wealth, marking him someone of substantial importance doing a brisk trade in the
in his community. His unique signet ring seal in wax or signature financial exchange of a
(although not as we know it) on a document was a valuable commodity, man’s signature.
and coveted and preserved as such. Here in America during
the Victorian Era, widespread
literacy and technological
advances in communicating
Establishing the Social Status of Signatures
The rise in literacy across Europe during the Renaissance (1300- news from far and wide thrust
1600) meant more people of different classes were now able to read, musicians, athletes, writers,
write, and sign their names. It is believed that the hobby of collecting actors, and other notable
autographs can be traced back to this era, and alba amicorum (Latin for figures of the day into the
“books of friendship”), tracing back to the mid-1500s. public limelight, creating the
Alba amicorums are considered the world’s first autograph albums. culture of what we now refer
Wealthy travelers touring Europe asked those they met along the way to as fame and celebrity.
to sign specially made books as a way to establish and solidify personal These public figures became
and professional highly sought after for their
relationships. They autograph among fans and
were particularly collectors of all ages and social

popular among classes, and the public was The Collector, a monthly journal devoted to
the children of showing a willingness to pay autographs by W. Romeyn Benjamin
Northern European for what they could not obtain in person. A retail shop in New York
nobility as they was opened in 1887 by Walter R. Benjamin that sold manuscripts and
went out into the autographs. It is believed to be the first such shop in the U.S. He
world to establish advertised to just come to them instead of hounding someone for the
themselves socially, autograph request that very well may not be granted. By the 20th cen-
and visit the times’ tury, autographs became so popular that dedicated auction houses
most influential sprang up to service this specific market.
cities, universities, Fast forward to today, when autographs are big business and a readily
and educators.
Women rarely had access to famous artists to “autograph” A man’s alba exchanged commodity. Where once an artfully cursive signature on a
their alba amicorum, but this illustration is from one of amicorum was his calling card, a historic document or a piece of personal correspondence
the few lavishly decorated albums – Juliana de Roussel was the hoped-for item from an admired and notable source, today,
calling card, as the anything goes – which has greatly changed the dynamics between
signatures in his album represented his social standing when making celebrities and their fans, and how
new introductions. According to Dutch Ph.D. scholar Sophie autographs are exchanged.
Reinders, alba amicorum were also used to share favorite songs, reveal
crushes, offer advice, share opinions, and offer comments on other
people's entries. One could say they were the Facebook of their time. A Chance Encounter
When it comes to athletes,
movie stars, musicians and other
"public celebrities," signing auto-
Growth of the Early Market
During the Enlightenment, signatures from great historical figures graphs has always been a part of
and noted men of science and letters were in high demand among the the job; a way to thank the
European intelligentsia, who wanted to preserve history and own fans and make a more personal
something connected to someone they admired, written in their own connection, at least as far as the
hand. In 1789, there was enough interest in collecting that the first
book offering autograph facsimiles was printed, entitled British Marilyn Monroe signing autographs for a
Autograph. For the auction houses of the day, brokering the sale of young fan while out on the town.

22 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles