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fan/collector is concerned. While many were guarantee, which is not the same thing as a
and continue to be willing to sign something for Certificate of Authenticity. All over the internet one
a passing fan and at events (with notable can find autographed items but there it's Buyer
exceptions in all arenas), things started changing Beware. In Sports, it was common practice for a
with regard to this interaction when the intent clubhouse attendant to sign baseballs on behalf of a
changed, and autographs went from star player, just to save him time; these are commonly
personally cherished items to a commodity on referred to as “clubhouse signatures.” In other fields,
the open market with an established value. especially entertainment, fans would write to obtain
The desire to control the commercialization autographs of their favorite stars on pictures or let-
of their name, now referred to as their brand, ters. It was common practice to send out items with
combined with fan aggressiveness and the preprinted signatures or an original signature signed
security concerns that surround fame keep by one of the star’s staff members; these are com-
celebrities today distanced from their fans and monly referred to as “secretarial signatures.” Finally,
the random encounters for signing that formed it was common practice for many years to have the
the core of many mid-20th century autograph notable's actual signature applied to the paper with a
collections. The fewer autographs in circulation mechanical device known as an “autopen.” These
for a big name celebrity, the more value they can mimicked the signature of the person perfectly and
command on the market, especially those can be difficult to determine without knowledge.
obtained in person and with proof of authenticity. This practice was extremely common with famous
Which leaves many celebrities asking why others politicians and business people.
should profit from their name and fame, and
not them? This question has led many to change
their policies around signing. This includes per- The Art of Autographs
sonalizing their signatures (standalone signatures John Hancock (with his famous signature) While some collect autographs as a hobby, and
are often more valuable than items signed and by Alonzo Chapel some through chance encounters, others look to
inscribed to the fan), commanding a signing fee, acquire something that when framed or displayed
and generally refusing to sign. becomes a piece of art or decorative object, as well as a great conversa-
tion starter. The Signature Art Market has taken the autograph to a new
commodity level, online and in retail stores that sell framed, signed
photos, instruments, and sports memorabilia. These items are most often
Signing Events
For those unable to get an autograph in person through a chance sold at a premium over the fair market value of the signature for their
encounter, the next best thing is at a signing event, which today has novelty and artful presentation, and may or may not come with a COA.
turned into big business – not only for A-List celebrities for whom
access commands big bucks but those on the ascendency and waning
days of their career. Caveat Emptor
From tech conferences to In 2016, California introduced a new autographed memorabilia law,
comic cons, Hall of Fame week- “AB-1570 Collectibles: sale of autographed memorabilia.” It immediately
ends, fan days, celebrity auc- threw the autograph market into panic mode and made the rest of the
tions, and book signings, notable country sit up and take notice in case other states started to look at
public personalities from all regulating this segment of the market, as well. The law stated that any
walks of fame can make a side- dealer (natural person or legal entity) selling to consumers in California,
hustle or sometimes their liveli- or who operates in California, that sells autographed memorabilia at a
hood off autograph signing price exceeding $5 or more must provide a Certificate Of Authenticity
events. The public continues to (COA) for the item being sold. AB-1570 looked to affect a wide range of
have a fascination with meeting autographed items, including those offered by memorabilia sellers, art
someone they admire or remem- dealers, auctioneers, and estate tag sale companies, and booksellers.
ber fondly from their past, and Understanding the full implications of the law—perhaps better than
Stan Lee at an autographing event. “I receiving a signed memento as a the legislators—California's dealer community went into overdrive to
would write the stories, and hope the public souvenir and proof of the try and clarify and amend the legislation. AB-1570’s goals were to
would buy them and like them, and then exchange; however, how they'll prevent the distribution of forged autographs, but many booksellers
I’d be able to pay the rent. I never really sign and what they'll sign is up and art dealers felt they were being swept up by a vague law with
spent time thinking how long will that last, onerous requirements that,
because I knew if the character became to the signer and can greatly among other things, called for
unpopular, I can always write another one. affect resale value, which is, of proof of provenance and
I was always writing other ones.” course, their intent. authenticity to buy and sell

autographed items. In 2018,
booksellers were successful in
Buying at Auction
Auction houses continue to play an active role in the autograph getting the law amended to
market at both the low and high end. At the high end, auction houses exclude all books, manuscripts,
such as Cowan’s, Swann, Heritage Auctions, and Bonhams, among correspondence, and any
others, regularly include signed historic documents and personal corre- ephemera unrelated to sports or
spondence in their historic documents and manuscript auctions, and entertainment media from the
signed memorabilia in their specialty, sports memorabilia, entertainment “autographed collectibles” regu-
and celebrity auctions. You also have online sites such as rrauction.com, lation outlined in AB-1570, but
which primarily makes a market in all types of signed items, and the onus is still on dealers and
numerous specialty auction houses for signed sports memorabilia, books, auction houses making a market
historical documents, rock memorabilia, etc. For collectors and fans in signed memorabilia and
willing to make an investment in something they want, reputable auction ephemera to keep, prove, file,
houses that are willing to provide a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) are and pass on a paper trail of
the next best thing to a personal signing. authenticity for any signed
At the other end of the market are the online auction houses that item worth over $5 or face a Babe Ruth signs autographs for adoring
seem to be able to get anything you want and offer a hand-signed financial penalty. children. Photo by Irving Haberman.
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