An autograph is the personal signature of each person. And while signatures of us, ordinary people, are only valid if we sign a bank account, business contract, etc., there are also autographs of famous people for whom real collectors are ready to set aside real wealth.
While some sign with their full name, others use initials or an artistically modified autograph. Collecting autographs of celebrities is a hobby for many, and for others, it is a good source of income because there are many autograph collectors. They say that each product has its customer. Maybe that’s exactly why some collect autographs. While some really enjoy it, creating a collection for themselves, there are also those who see this as a real legacy for their descendants.
Many say an autograph reveals a person’s personality, so one look at the signature is enough for experts to discover what a man is. Many in the world of celebrities do not share their autographs so often, so you can assume that they are one of the most valuable. Our list includes some of the rarest autographs in the world. These are people from show business, politics, as well as art and literature. All those who are passionate collectors of autographs of celebrities, or have some who consider it valuable, can visit taminoautographs.com and maybe find exactly what they are looking for.
Which are the most valuable autographs?
William Shakespeare
Image source: history.com
William Shakespeare wrote hundreds of sonnets and around 38 plays. Despite it, he did not leave many signatures behind. As far as we know, there are only six signed documents left behind and his autograph is estimated at 5 million dollars! Experts say that Shakespeare suffered from tremors and that is why his signature looked different every time. He also shortened his name (Shakp) very often, which was common at that time.
Walt Disney
Image source: d23.com
We all remember Walt Disney, the creator of the most beautiful cartoons. He often carried signed papers with him, which he distributed to fans. He was recognizable by his specific appearance because, in addition to his signature, Mickey Mouse was always drawn. The value of the signature is between $ 1,000 and $ 17,500.
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall Hendrix is a rock legend and an incredibly talented guitarist. He influenced many musical directions, and he was known for his unusual performances. So you could see him playing guitar with his teeth, behind his back, and so on. Although he passed away exactly 50 years ago, he still enjoys great popularity and is gladly listened to by both younger and older generations. His signed 1965 contract sold for a staggering $ 200,000.
Babe Ruth
This famous American baseball player shared a lot of autographs, but we will still single out a signed baseball that was sold at auction in 2012 for $ 388,375. Of this great you will rarely find an autograph on paper, most are on baseballs.
Princess Dianna
Princess Diana is certainly the most beloved princess ever. She was known for her mild nature and for being a great humanitarian. After her untimely death, the autograph of her and her husband, Prince Charles, reached a value of 3,576.69 euros.
John Lennon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75xeVt8lh7U
The legend from the world-famous band, the Beatles, John Lennon, was killed by a man who, just before the murder, asked for this musical legend to be signed to his album. In 2003, this album sold for $ 525,000, and its price has risen to this day.
Bruce Lee
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This martial arts master, actor, and producer is known around the world for his films. Even today, after more than 50 years, many think of him when they hear the word karate. The value of his autograph ranges between $ 3,000 and $ 30,000.
Abraham Lincoln
Thanks to his signature on the Emancipation Proclamation, millions of people were freed from slavery. He signed a total of 48 copies, and today there are only 26. Considering what he has achieved, it is no wonder that his autograph is worth 3.7 million dollars! It is also important to say that not every copy had the same value, but the price grew from year to year.
What is the format?
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There are different forms of autographs, some are written on a piece of paper, clothing, athletes usually sign on the balls they played with, and so on. Signing a contract or a complete document will usually have the greatest value. In addition to this, a handwritten letter with a personal signature is of great value. For example, Einstein’s letter about his scientific theories would be worth a fortune.
The value of the autograph will also be affected by the condition it is in. If there is damage from water, cracks, or something else, it will significantly affect the reduction of value.
It should be borne in mind that the value of the autographs of deceased celebrities is much higher than those who are still alive. The price can vary from a few thousand to a few million, depending on how much trace that person has left in cultural life and society around the world.
Conclusion
However, when buying autographs of celebrities, it is important to be very careful. Sometimes it is really difficult to prove whether the autograph is original or not. That is why it is important to know that you are buying an autograph first hand, that is, from a person who has come into direct contact with the star. Of course, it is also important to send a signature for verification to experts to confirm the authenticity. Fake autographs are often reproduced mechanically. You can do the basic check yourself, and that is to swipe your thumb over the signature. If it is straight, there is a high probability that it is counterfeit. Also, if you can feel the texture of the ink on the top of the paper with your finger, that is another indication that it is a fake. If you are already ready to invest in this, turn to experts who will easily tell you whether it is the original or not.
