| Many collectors ask, "What is my autograph worth?" | | | | other official document are more desirable to |
| The answer is often dependent on a number of | | | | collectors, they tend to hold higher value. |
| factors that need to be considered before determining | | | | The principle of supply and demand influences the |
| a reasonable number for the value of your autograph. | | | | autograph marketplace. Autographs of very famous |
| Among the many questions an expert considers when | | | | individuals whose autographs are scarce in the |
| evaluating your autograph is: Who wrote the | | | | autograph marketplace command very high prices. |
| autograph? Is there a reasonable certainty that the | | | | Famous historical personalities such as Ludwig van |
| autograph is authentic? Does the autograph have | | | | Beethoven, Vincent Van Gogh, Isaac Newton, and |
| any significant association with historical events, notable | | | | Edgar Allen Poe fit into this scarce and highly sought |
| dates, or interesting personality? and, What is the | | | | after category of autographs. |
| condition of the autograph? | | | | A general idea of the selling price of your autograph |
| Autographs that hold value and that appeal to a wide | | | | can be obtained by reviewing auction records, |
| variety of serious collectors tend to be from people | | | | websites with price recommendations, and price |
| who have had a major impact on society. Figures | | | | guides. Keep in mind that the profit gained on the |
| such as George Washington, Albert Einstein, and the | | | | sale of your autograph may be considerably lower |
| Beatles are major influential figures who changed the | | | | than the selling price of your autograph. Dealers and |
| course of history. Personalities such as theirs are | | | | auction houses may charge anywhere from 20 to 30 |
| likely to be admired and collected for many | | | | percent commission on the sale of your autograph. |
| generations in the future. On the other hand, | | | | Costs for shipping, insurance and other fees will reduce |
| individuals who the subject of minor fads are unlikely to | | | | your profit even further. Many collectors have |
| have autographs that withstand the test of time. | | | | received reasonable prices when selling their |
| An autograph is likely to have enhanced value if its | | | | autographs privately or through local trade shows. |
| authenticity is readily accepted. Isolated autographs | | | | The true value of an autograph is heavily dependent |
| on slips of paper or cards may be real, but are | | | | on the appreciation a genuine collector has with the |
| notoriously difficult to authenticate. Handwritten letters | | | | signer of his autograph. A serious collector often |
| or autographs on official documents are less likely to | | | | looks beyond price and considers himself as a |
| be forged than isolated signatures and are much | | | | caretaker in a moment of history who is responsible |
| easier to analyze for authenticity. Since autographs | | | | for passing a written treasure to the next generation |
| as part of a handwritten letter, typed letter, check, or | | | | of collectors. |
