Is eBay good places to find Autographs?
We are, ourselves, on eBay (frasersautographsplc) we have found that, as is the case in any area of collecting, that there are reputable dealers and not so reputable dealers.
Certainly if you are looking to buy autographs online we would strongly recommend that you take the time to familiarise yourself with the various sellers; look through their listings on eBay, check out their ratings, ask them questions – if at any stage you feel uncomfortable or doubt the authenticity, then we suggest you do not part with your money.
It is also worthwhile considering whether the seller is particularly rooted in their trade? Do they have experience within the market? Are they members of any bodies which monitor the trade and require certain standards for membership?
For example, Fraser’s Autographs are members of The Manuscript Society, the International Autograph Dealer Alliance and Collector Club or ‘IADA-CC’ for short and a registered dealer with UACC (Universal Autograph Collectors Club).
We also offer a lifetime guarantee of authenticity backed by the Stanley Gibbons name and 156 years of trading in collectibles.
To help collectors avoid the many pitfalls associated with autograph collection we publish a guide called ‘Collect Autographs’. For example, we list a signed photo of Queen Elizabeth II at £2250, if you find one for sale at £200 you can be fairly sure it’s a fake.
The latest edition also includes useful articles on what to look out for, such as autopen signatures and secretarial signings and explains the importance of provenance.
It is often believed that you can get a bargain online, which is what attracts so many people to virtual marketplaces such as eBay but if it seems too good to be true, it generally is.
Whose Autograph is the most in demand at the moment?
Fraser’s Autographs produce a list each month of the top 30 selling autographs of the previous 12 months at www.frasersautographs.com
Currently we have Lois Maxwell in the top spot. Like any noted individual upon their passing the value of an autograph can rocket in value and so too the demand. Maxwell is and will most probably remain the quintessential ‘Miss. Moneypenny’ and Bond is as popular today as it was back in the 60’s and 70’s. Elizabeth Taylor’s autograph is likely to be in big demand since her recent passing.
We also have our Fraser’s Rarities Index (listed on the Bloomberg Professional Service) which analyses the top 100 most sought-after autographs and compares their retail price in 1997 to today’s market value. The resultant investment index gives an average of the percentage growth in value over the period.
The top performer in this period is the Beatles lead guitarist, George Harrison whose autograph has risen in value by 1185.7% since 1997, closely followed by fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney whose autograph has risen in value by1100%.
How much can a Lady Gaga autograph go for?
Fraser’s have only had the pleasure of handling a single signed photograph of Lady Gaga. She can be quite a difficult signer and when she does provide autographs they tend to be given directly to her fans, which are very loyal and will hang on to them as a result.
It is very rare at the moment to find a Lady Gaga autograph on the open market but certainly you can expect to pay in excess of £100 for a signed photograph.
Whose is your favourite autograph?
Everyone has their own favourites and it’s usually dependant on personal interests or perhaps idolisation. There are those that never waver from the top spot for our collectors, for instance Winston Churchill, the Apollo 11 crew, Princess Diana – they tend to be names which are synonymous with human history and culture and are recognised internationally, from Canada to Australia.
Personally I like Marilyn Monroe, I have always found her a fascinating figure, as many do and additionally I think her autograph is quite representative of her life – a bit chaotic, messy and illegible at times.
There’s also the added interest that you can collect her autograph under her different guises ‘Marilyn DiMaggio’ and ‘Marilyn Miller’. So very little is really known about the true Norma Jean that to get even a little closer to her through autographs and memorabilia can be quite rewarding.
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