Worlds Most Expensive Autograph

Getting the autograph of your favorite celebrity can be a great experience for most. For serious philographers, (autograph collectors) living celebrities, John Hancocks are just the tip of the iceberg. For these collectors, the most valuable autographs are those of deceased historical figures. Still more valuable are those same signatures decorating handwritten documents and, especially, personal letters. The most expensive autograph in the world, if sold today, would be worth around $5 million dollars.That would be William Shakespeare and, if affixed to a play written in his own hand, it would easily be worth ten times as much.

He may have authored such famous works as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet and a remarkable number of histories regarding England’s many kings, but only six copies of Shakespeare’s autograph are known to have survived to the current day. In fact, these are some of the only examples we have of the legendary bard’s handwriting, as not a single manuscript handwritten by Shakespeare has yet been discovered. Three of the surviving signatures are attached to his will. The other three adorn the deed to a house in London, the playwright’s mortgage and his testimony in a legal case.

Shakespeares signature can be viewed at the British Library in London which is near Kings Cross Railway Station.

It must be said that in ye older days lawyers often signed documents on behalf of their clients, so buyer beware.

Considering the autograph itself, it isn’t surprising that so few examples of his handwriting still exist. In fact, his atrocious penmanship may explain at least some of the many variants on his surname, from the dull and pedestrian Shaxberd to the evocative and famous Shakespeare.

Certificates of Authenticity ( COAs )

Beware of autograph sellers offering a "Certificate of Authenticity". They are absolutely worthless. If you will fake an autograph you will fake a COA.

Most reputable autograph dealers will not offer COA's but instead offer a lifetime unconditional guarantee. If you are unhappy, simply return the item is the condition it was sold to you.

You will see sellers offering guarantees that run out in 7 days, 10 days, 30 days, etc. That should be unacceptable to you as a buyer. A genuine autograph is just that, genuine forever!

Some sellers will state that a questionable signature cannot be returned without it being authenticated by an expert. They know that this is VERY expensive to do. To get a signature authenticated will often run in to hundreds of dollars. These sellers know that no one will go to that trouble for an autograph that was bought for under that amount. AND an authentication is someones opinion only.

The Universal Autograph Collector's Club (UACC), one of the most - if not THE most respected autograph organizations in the world, have long renounced the use of COA's. Here are a few FAQ's straight from their web site:

Q: Are Certificates of Authenticity endorsed by the UACC?

A: The UACC has been very vocal about the fact that Certificates of Authenticity (COA's for short) are totally worthless. The UACC does not issue COA's and always encourages collectors to get a  receipt for merchandise, instead of a COA. Frankly, they aren't worth the paper they are printed on. A COA is only as good as the dealer that has issued it. If you buy from a UACC Registered Dealer and get a receipt, you are following the correct procedure.

Q: I was looking at some items on Ebay, and I saw that an item came with a UACC Certificate of Authenticity. Is that possible?

A: No it is not. The UACC does not issue "Certificates of Authenticity" The person selling that item should immediately be reported to Ebay.

Just use common sense when you purchase autographs. Ask the seller questions. Ask about their return policy. Learn these things up front so you will not be disappointed when your signed item arrives to your doors.

The most reliable method of obtaining a genuine signature is to OBTAIN IT YOURSELF

J&K AUTOGRAPHS, GREAT PRICES

The best guarantee a buyer has for autographs is the credibility and experience of the dealer and the probability of the deale rstill trading in the future. We have been collecting and selling signatures and memorabilia since 1994. Everything we sell is guaranteed. Over the years we have personally met many celebrities from all walks of life and have obtained autographed items from them, and have an album full of photographs to prove our meetings. Collectables are our passion. Wether you are looking for sports stars autographs, movie star autographs, TV actors autographs, music autographs, politics, Margaret Thatcher or authors autographs or indeed other areas of collecting check out our web catalogue.           www.jkautographs.co.uk 

Autographs for Investment

How It Works: The autograph market focuses on the trade of investment-grade memorabilia including photos, documents, letter and books signed by historical figures, politicians, classical and contemporary musicians, movie stars, sports and literary figures and space explorers, among others. Items are available for purchase and resale at auction houses and through autograph dealers. 

Who's Investing and Why They're So Good at It: Until recent decades, the autograph market was dominated by hobbyists and historians with limited means who collected for enjoyment’s sake. Today it has evolved into a legitimate alternative investment strategy of 300 million collectors-strong. 

But there are still people like movie and TV critic Jane Louise Boursaw, who has amassed a personal collection of 100 autographs including Melanie Griffith, Doris Day and Tom Selleck, by simply making requests to the celebrities via mail. Another, less dignified, tack is taken by those who chase celebrities at premiers, restaurants and airports etc.

What They're Making: autograph collection has a tremendous growth market fueled by supply shortages and increased demand, especially in the case of the finest rare and unique autographed memorabilia, which  have historically produced annual returns up to 20%. 

The celebrity autograph market alone is knocking the stock market, property and gold out of the park with a 300% increase over the last decade, the world’s top 100 most valuable autographs of recent times include reclusive Neil Armstrong, who stopped issuing his signature years ago, is the titleholder of most valuable living celebrity signature. Over the 12-year period from 1997-2009, it experienced a staggering 1057.9% increase in value, from roughly $750 to $8,700. But that’s a mere pittance compared to Henry VIII whose letter asking the Pope to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon is worth  $400,000 +.

A Canadian man is still waiting to see if the XBox 360 he had autographed by then-governor Sarah Palin in Wasilla will fetch the $1.1 million he’s asking for as a starting bid on eBay.

Why They Really Do It:  Star watchers and history buffs get instant bragging rights when they acquire that Tiger Woods-autographed Major Moments Collection from the 1997 Masters, the Marilyn Monroe-signed photograph or Albert Einstein-penned manuscript of equations. The sizable growth market and generous returns are an added bonus to having a tangible connection to their idols.

Malcolm Forbes of Forbes magazine perhaps put it best when he said, "None of my other investments give me the joy that autographs do because they make me feel that I am holding a piece of history in my hands." 

How to Get Started: Investors whose capital is limited can always start by sending photos to their favorite celebrities by mail to have them signed. Celebrity mailing addresses are available at websites like Startiger.com, Yahoo’s A1 Autograph Group and Stefan's Autographs. 

If your resources exceed the price of a stamp, start browsing reputable online auctions and catalogs and study whose signatures are selling for what and compare the prices against valuation books. Many experts advise against buying from members of exclusive autograph societies who sell at fixed prices since items from these sellers tend to be overvalued. 

When choosing which celebrities to invest in, autographs from deceased people may be the best way to ensure safety as their reputations are already fixed and supply of their merchandise will  continue to decrease. The rarer the items, from one-of-a-kind to five-of-a-kind collectibles, fetch the best result. 


Amateurs Be Warned: Millions of dollars in fraudulent memorabilia are sold each year. Don’t outright trust an autograph’s certificate of authenticity. They can, and are, easily forged. Go to an expert third party to have the signature authenticated. Joe Orlando, president of PSA/DNA Authentication Services warns, "If I say the item's authentic and grade it on quality and I'm the seller, there's a problem." 

Collectors must also be aware of memorabilia signed with autopens, by proxy and with preprinted signatures. While not technically fakes, these autographs are far less valuable.

10 Worst Celebrity Autograph Signers

10 WORST

1. John C. Reilly

It’s no surprise we don’t have a signed photo of 2008’s No. 1 Worst Signer. John C. Reilly almost never signs and can be downright cruel about it. Before Reilly sang as Dewey Cox, he crooned in Chicago about being invisible. That’s how he treats fans now. He signed just a few for a huge crowd while promoting Chicago, and we heard he refused to sign at all while doing Tale of 2 Cities on Broadway this year.
“He’s been quoted saying, ‘It’s a free country, and I can do what I choose. I choose not to sign,’” Aring reports. “While he was promoting Walk Hard, he actually did sign. But he only signed ‘Dewey.’”
His bad attitude isn’t limited to these shores. “He laughed and walked through fans like they weren’t there at the Ritz Carlton in Berlin,” says Markus Brandes of The German Autograph Society. “After a few days, fans started to get angry at him, shouting and whistling. He started leaving by different routes to avoid them. It was the same thing when Reilly was here a few years ago.”
But his stinginess may be limited to fans. At an Aid for AIDS benefit on October 19, he pledged to double the largest donation that night. He penned a check for a very generous $30,000. At the rate he signs, that check may be worth more cancelled one day.
2. William Shatner

“Beam me up, Scotty. I’ve pissed-off everyone I can on this planet.”
If nasty were a virtue, William Shatner would be a saint. He seems to take such joy in torturing fans and collectors that Shatner is known around Autograph as the “Marquis de Sign.”
“I had him one-on-one while he waited for a car and asked him to sign a head shot,” reports Autograph reader Charlie Sterbini. “He said, ‘I’m not allowed.’” He just stood there and looked away with a stupid grin on his face.” Sterbini had two other requests for Shatner’s autograph shot down as well.
“The last time I saw him, he was leaving The View. I was waiting for another celebrity while two other fans waited for him. I warned them what they were in for, and as his car pulled out with the windows rolled down, Shatner shook his head no when they asked him to sign.”
Shatner sells his autograph, which we think is great because it makes it available to fans everywhere. But report after report of his arrogance and stinginess keeps him moving up this list.
At a booksigning in Los Angeles this year for Up Till Now, Shatner would only sign one book per person. “He didn’t interact with anyone,” says Aring, “And he insisted on seeing every person that wanted a book signed, which meant that no one could get a second book signed for anyone else. When someone asked to get a book signed for his brother, Shatner responded, ‘Get your brother down here then!’”
A fan was heard mumbling where the Captain could boldly go.
3. Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell headed up our Worst Signers list in 2007, and he’s pretty close to the top this year. He’s been starring in comedies alongside John C. Reilly, so it seems that bad signers run in packs, like good ones do. “He has gotten a little better,” says Aring. “But not much. He used to be so nice, and although he tries to use the excuse of trying to avoid having his autograph sold on eBay, that doesn’t fly. His autograph doesn’t sell on eBay.”
He’s such a bad signer that no one believes they’re real.
“He tops my list of worst signers for the second year in a row,” said Risi. “Thiis smug, arrogant, pompous man loves to avoid his fans. Whether at a premiere, an interview, or simply walking down the street, chances are Ferrell will not oblige any autograph requests. He may even go as far as to mock and belittle the fan asking for one.”
We loved him last February on Conan O’Brien when he spoofed being our worst signer. So when we ran across him a few months later we thanked him for being such a good sport. Our reporter even suggested that Ferrell wouldn’t be on the list this year. But fans and collectors tells us that he’s still one of the worst signers in Hollywood.
Sorry Will—you’re back on the list.
4. Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow should take pointers from her Iron Man costar and good signer, Robert Downing Jr. on how to treat fans.
“She’s probably the snootiest of signers on this list,” says Risi. “Paltrow will try to ignore everyone as she walks by, or she’ll just pointblank tell you, in her condescending tone, ‘I do not sign autographs.’”
Even KidzWorld.com named her one of their worst signers. If Paltrow can’t be kind to the kiddies, don’t expect much if you meet her.
5. Tobey Maguire

Year in and year out, Tobey Maguire makes our worst list. This year saw far worse signers, but Maguire still easily makes the top 5.
He’s not nasty. He’s stingy with the Sharpie. The typical meeting of fan and Maguire is like the one Richard Simpkin had last season at a Lakers game. Maguire shook his hand, but no amount of petitioning would get him to sign an autograph.
Serious collectors and kids alike find Maguire to be less than accommodating. Maguire was on Kidzworld.com’s list, too—as their No. 1 Worst Signer.
Their verdict was the same as ours: Maguire simply doesn’t sign.
6. Steve Carell

When it comes to celebrities who don’t ever sign, Steve Carell is making a name for himself. “This guy just doesn’t do it,” says Aring. “It’s just a bother for him.” Collector Dave Brooks agrees: “I’ve seen him at three events, and he didn’t sign for anyone.”
Risi tells us he’s not that nice to fans, either. “He’s one of those celebrities surrounded by a small entourage that does all the talking—and refusing for that matter. You’re bound to be greeted with an ‘I’m sorry we’re late.’ Then another voice will say, ‘Maybe later,’ but later rarely comes. And if it does, be sure to have a black pen. Like Will Ferrell, he believes that autographs signed in blue are always for sale.”
Maybe someone should replace that World’s Greatest Boss mug on his desk in The Office with one that says World’s Worst Signer.
7. Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks used to be a good signer. What happened? We don’t know. Maybe he’s so rich and famous that he considers signing even a few autographs for fans an avoidable annoyance. We’re willing to bet that as a struggling actor, before Bosom Buddies and his Oscar-winning movie career, he dreamed of being famous and signing autographs for adoring fans. But that was a long time ago.
“Hollywood nice guy my foot!” says Aring. “This year alone, I’ve seen him yell at girls who were just excited fans, tell an entire crowd after a day’s movie shoot that he doesn’t sign, and he shouted a bunch of expletives at me personally. All I did was ask Tom for his autograph, but he kept yelling at me while he rode away on his bike.”
8. Adam Sandler

If Will Ferrell is any indication, there seems to be a trend among Hollywood comics who leave SNL for movie careers— they often become bad signers.
“It’s been years since you could say Adam Sandler was nice,” says Aring. “Signing is all a bother to him now, and he’s taken to yelling at collectors. ‘What are you gonna do with this,’ he asks, ‘hang it on your wall?’ And then he doesn’t even sign.”
Our experience hasn’t been much different. We remember Sandler bombing at a comedy club a year before he joined Saturday Night Live. Nobody asked the poor guy to sign that night. But now that everyone wants his autograph, he doesn’t give it out.
9. Cameron Diaz

You tend to think consistency is a good thing in an actor, but we make this list to point out a few of the more negative aspects of celebrity. “Cameron Diaz is consistent, year after year—for being one nasty signer,” says Risi. “And by that I mean she doesn’t sign, and she can be mean about it. There’s a reason she makes our list almost every year.”
Sterbini agrees. “She always avoids being seen as she goes to and from places. It has gotten to the point that I’ve just given up on her,” he says. “If someone goes to such extremes to avoid coming into contact with fans, a signature is just not going to happen.”
10. Nicole Kidman

“Nicole Kidman absolutely hates signing autographs for anyone,” says fellow Australian Richard Simpkin, who has regularly come into contact with Kidman and has been ignored almost every time. “She only scribbles her initials at movie premieres because she has to,” he continues. “She often even asks fans, ‘Why are you harassing me?’”
Ironically, Kidman’s husband, country singer Keith Urban, is a good signer. And her ex, Tom Cruise, often makes our 10 Best. We keep hoping that Kidman will see the light someday—but like the rest of the stars of our 10 Worst list, we’re not holding our breath.

Top 10 Best Hollywood AutographSigners

THE BEST 

1. Jay Leno

Jay Leno is one of the best autograph signers in the history of Hollywood. Day in and day out, Leno signs before, during and after The Tonight Show, as he has since the show became his in 1992.
Leno would have been our No. 1 Best Signer before, if the list weren’t compiled from reports around the world. With his full-time desk job, Leno doesn’t get around as much as the movie stars who typically top our list.
“I’ve been there hundreds of times for autographs of The Tonight Show guests, and not once has Jay not signed,” says collector/dealer Mike Aring. “And he signs for the audience during breaks.”
“He’s a superstar when it comes to signing,” says New York pro Anthony Risi, aka Mr. Stargraph. “He is still coming out of the show with his own marker, ready to sign.”
Leno is one Hollywood celebrity who can identify with fans and collectors. An autograph collector himself, Leno can be found asking guests to sign during breaks.

2. George Clooney

When he’s not promoting world peace, George Clooney can be found chatting with fans and signing autographs.
“What you see is what you get,” Risi says. “There is absolutely no pretense about him at all. In the moments a fan or collector spends with Clooney, they feel like they’re out with a buddy.”
The Burn After Reading star was spotted by TheInsider.com signing autographs on the set. Splash News and Pictures reported, “George Clooney really goes out of his way for his fans by signing autographs and posing for numerous pictures.”
Clooney, a frequent 10 Bester, has come a long way since his heartthrob role as Dr. Doug Ross on ER, but he is still as down to earth as ever. He treats his fans like friends, and never seems to run out of things to talk about with them.
3. Matt Damon

The star of The Bourne action films is killer at signing. Matt Damon has been near the top of our Best Signers list for years. A costar alongside George Clooney in a number of films, Damon and Clooney often run neck and neck, and both are good bets to make the top spot one day.
Mike Aring tells us, “Matt’s always gracious with fans, even after appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, when stressed-out security guards are always asking him to stop signing.”
Risi adds, “Not only is Damon as good as ever this year, he hasn’t really changed since his career took off. He still treats fans with respect and gratitude, and he’ll sign pretty much whatever you ask him to—and pose for pictures.”
If you’re ever lucky enough to meet this A+ of A-Listers, you’ll walk away smiling.
4. Rosario Dawson

A staple at conventions and signing events, Rosario Dawson is a fan favorite. Her career is heavy in sci-fi and horror where fans are rabid autograph collectors. Rosario doesn’t shy away—she races to meet fans at conventions and signs, signs, signs.
“She hasn’t found a collector she didn’t like,” says Aring.
When we met Rosario at Comic-Con this year, she was so nice we thought it was because we were press. But she was pleasant and talkative with everyone she signed for there. Based on collectors we asked who have met her, she’s always that way.
Rosario knows how to keep fans rooting for her.
5. John Travolta

The star of the upcoming 2009 thriller, The Taking of Pelham 123, John Travolta has been on our 10 Best list for years. “He’s my inductee to the Signing Hall of Fame,” says Aring. “He’s also very nice when it comes to having his photo taken.”
Risi adds that Travolta is one of the few celebrities who has never refused to sign when he’s asked for an autograph. “He’s soft-spoken, but he’ll engage in brief conversation when the crowds allow it.”
If there’s a downside to Travolta’s signing habits, it’s that his signature is little more than a line. But he makes up for it with the time he spends with the public. Like Jay Leno, who frequents classic car shows, look for Travolta at aviation events, where he won’t just be flying, but signing.
6. Martin Sheen

Joining Matt Damon and two other costars from The Departed on this list is first-timer Martin Sheen. At 68 years old, this Golden Globe and Emmy winner isn’t slowing down one bit.
In Wall Street, Sheen’s character tries to teach his real-life son, Charlie Sheen, the right way to go through life: with modesty and kindness. Fortunately for us, that’s how Martin treats his fans.
“He’s always nice and always friendly,” says Aring. And he may even bless you—he’s an ordained minister, after all.”
7. Mark Wahlberg

Martin Scorsese chose a brilliant cast for his 2006 film, The Departed, since Mark Wahlberg also is on this list. We spotted the producer of HBO’s Entourage at Comic-Con this year having a good time with fans and signing up a storm.
A lifelong good signer, Wahlberg pulls out his own pen when fans approach for autographs.
“He’s a class act,” says Autograph reader Charlie Sterbini. “Mark’s always a gentleman and will sign several pieces and pose for fans and collectors. In fact, he usually makes fans pose with him. He’ll talk with us on any topic, and doesn’t rush off when he’s done signing.”
8. Jack Nicholson

Another star of The Departed, Jack Nicholson is no stranger to this list. Risi notes he’s consistently good—if you play by his rules. “If he doesn’t sign for you entering a place, he will when he leaves. And he usually jokes with fans and collectors.”
We don’t recommend approaching him at Lakers games, but Australian collector Richard Simpkin says Nicholson sometimes will sign when leaving Staples Center—several things if they’ve won.
9. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Angelina, how did you do it? Angelina Jolie is often on our 10 Best list, while Brad Pitt used to haunt 10 Worst with Jennifer Aniston. But Mrs. Smith must have cast a spell on Mr. Smith, because Brad is now one fantastic signer.
“In spite of the paparazzi crush for them and their high profile lives, they always walk up to the crowd at events and premieres and sign up a storm,” says Aring.
What’s amazing about this couple is how good they are with crazed fans. Hysterical women constantly scream for Brad, and infatuated men keep hitting on Angelina. They handle them all with compassion and grace, calming them down as they keep on signing.
10. Megan Fox

Megan Fox is as much a rising signer as a rising star. Set to appear in this year’s How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, we’re happy to report that in real life she makes friends and delights fans. Her great response when asked to sign has earned her a well-deserved spot on our 10 Best list.
“She’s been compared to Angelina Jolie for her talent, her looks and her love of tattoos,” Risi says of this newcomer. “So why not compare their signing habits? This new Hollywood ‘It’ girl is amazing when it comes to signing. She’s just too cool. Not only will she sign several items per person, she’ll hang around and talk with us about what’s new and upcoming in her career. She loves her fans—and she shows it!”

Where to Meet Hollywood Stars

Ever wonder how some autograph hunters know where to find a celebrity? Truth be told, meeting Hollywood celebrities in Los Angeles is so simple - you need to know where to look.

Find a Celebrity at Work

Almost all Hollywood celebrities are employed by the movie industry. It would make sense to hunt down the celebrity of choice simply by showing up at their job site. Doing so is made easy by On Location Vacations, a website that caters to the movie buff with a travel budget. Publishing daily L.A. filming locations for shows such as BFF and Baby, it is easy to find a celebrity at work.

Look for Guys with Cameras and Lenses 

A cluster of folks carrying cameras and waiting in front of a business, restaurant or home is a good sign that Hollywood celebrities may be around. If you have the time, stick around to see if someone comes out. Ask one of the supposed paparazzi and ask them whom they're after.

Go to Church

There are plenty of L.A. houses of worship that the celebs frequent. A good example is St. Charles Catholic Church, which frequently hosts celebrity funerals. Sunday attendees report noting Andy Garcia, Frankie Avalon, Angela and Veronica Cartwright as well as Bob Gunton in the audience. Remember: no matter how much Hollywood celebrities may court the limelight, they do draw the line at handing out autographs when going to mass.  DONT PESTER THEM.

Grab a Bite to Eat

If you have time and a bit of money, learning how to meet a celebrity can be as easy as grabbing a bite to eat in downtown L.A. The Grove is generally a hot ticket for celeb sightings, as are the 'hip' eateries, such as Pinks Hot Dogs. Choosing to go this route is a hit or miss and frequently has you jostling for a good spot with paparazzi.

They're Walking Straight towards you

Two big-time Hollywood celebrities are walking right at you; what should you do? When you find a celebrity, do not make a nuisance of yourself. Moreover, do not try to meet celebrities by following them around. The LAPD does not take kindly to stalkers.

Instead, evaluate the situation and - if appropriate - politely introduce yourself, explain why you like their work and be prepared to keep it short and move on. It is okay to ask for an autograph but do not be offended if a celeb mom or dad has to rush off. After all, they have families commitments too.

The Universal Autograph Collectors Club

This is an extract taken from their home page. Every collector and dealer should be aware of them and the abundant knowledge they have amassed over the years.

The Universal Autograph Collector's Club, Inc. is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the education of the autograph collector. Founded in 1965 by a Long Island group of collectors, the UACC has grown and developed into one of the premier collector's organization in the world. This website illustrates the UACC's commitment to educating the collector as well introducing the hobby to those who may have an interest. UACC members not only enjoy the fellowship of other collectors, but can share their experiences in the club's official award winning journal The Pen and Quill, which each member receive throughout the year. Joining the UACC is easy, just click the Membership link at the top and you are on your way. Pick the membership category that fits your needs.

The UACC has been serving the collector since 1965. It is the largest autograph organization in the world with members in over 20 different countries. We provide education to our members using our website, journal, classes and publications.

By joining the UACC, you will be introduced to the fastest growing hobby in the world today. Autographs have been called frozen moments in time and probably the most personal thing that a person can give another. When you collect autographs you become a curator of your own museum archives of history.
Join the fun.

NEW DIRECTION 2011

Over the last few years there has been much discussion on the internet regarding feuding autograph dealers, professional authenticators and collectors. Some of these have resulted in lawsuits and a proliferation of libelous statements left for all to see on the web. It gives the impression that there is a major rift within the autograph community. We can tell you that in our opinion this rift is only 1% of the entire autograph population.

The UACC has done its best to stay out of the fray. We are an educational organization. We are NOT the police or a platform for those with poisonous views to attack their competitors. We teach and exchange ideas about a hobby we all hold dear.

The disenfranchised will always be with us, they will taunt us, and libel us but as a club we will NOT allow them to beat us.

Why Collect Autographs?

Autograph collecting, a pastime enjoyed by all generations, nationalities, races, ages, and socioeconomic groups, can provide an important link between the past and the present. Collecting takes many forms depending on the focus of the collector. People tend to want to have concrete evidence of having known a celebrity, even if it is in a small way. It provides a fascination that will not go away after you have succeeded getting your first hard to get autograph. 

Autograph collecting is one of the many avenues you can use to feel a part of some special event or person. Autograph collecting can be a great way to record some of the history of a certain time. Collectors usually have special interests. These interests may be based on the environment, experience, education, travel, and so on.
Collecting an autograph is like collecting a moment in time. It is a delight to own a small something of a person you look up to.
Autograph collecting is used by some to document a person’s life. Others may use autograph collecting to illuminate a certain field of endeavor, such as the painting. 

Autograph collecting sometimes starts with only one interest and then mushrooms into a plethora of other autographs not going in any special direction but directed by emotion.  People collect for different reasons, the autograph collecting does not have to be that of a famous person. Some people collect for sentimental reasons, some for historical reason. To some it is a hobby and there are even those who make a living by autograph collecting. For instance, if you would like to become a curator of history, autograph collecting will lead you in the right direction. 

Autographs are becoming rarer for collecting. In the early days everything was done by hand but not today. Because of the growth of technology a hand-written letter has the most value. Communications are sent via fax and e-mail causing letters to become extinct. Nevertheless autograph collecting is likely to be around for a long time because a collector finds so much joy and fun in autograph collecting. The challenge to get another autograph can be so strong some people attend events just to be in a position to get a certain autograph.

There are almost as many reasons for collecting as there are collectors.
Autograph collecting is a hobby that can be enjoyed by all. For many years, this hobby has been enjoyed by Kings, Queens, Presidents, Heads of State, movie stars, sports people, and everyday citizens. It is an activity that highlights interests in other people and what they do. Autograph collecting is also an expression of your interest and your personality in general. In our culture autograph collecting is valued because many of us want to actually own a piece of history or a special occasion. The autograph can be on a program, piece of paper, paper bag or napkin just be sure to get it in pen.

Most people collect because they have an interest in a particular celebrity or sports team etc and to meet them in person can be so rewarding but beware, not all celebs are happy to give autographs so expect to be sharply rebuked by some.

JOHN WAYNE COLLECTIBLES

From his English American history as a popular, rugged movie actor to his career as a film producer,  Wayne continues to remain an iconic figure of strength and the typical country man. Here is a brief buyer’s guide regarding some of the different prices and types of John Wayne collectables available.
Prices can vary over time so please take this into account.

John Wayne's biography 

Whilst there are a plethora of popular actors in the 21st century, one of the most famous  of the 20th century was John Wayne.

Background

Born Marion Morrison on May 26, 1907, it was not until the country man took to the big screen stage that he became known as the infamous John Wayne. A strong supporter of conservative political opinion, he was also an outspoken proponent of the English American anti-communist movement.

Having won numerous film awards and starred in several major movies, such as The Searchers, John Wayne died of cancer on June 11, 1979.

Legacy 

Whilst he died some time ago, John Wayne still serves as a memorable English American icon.

He stood as a man of strong masculinity and true country values. These factors have all led to John Wayne collectibles and John Wayne memorabilia to still be popular and coveted collectors’ items nowadays.

John Wayne collectibles

Here is a list of popular John Wayne merchandise along with average selling prices in this basic buyer’s guide

· Art

From John Wayne “Green Berets” posters to sketches, there are many valued art works available at affordable prices ranging anywhere from €5 to €20.

· Autographs

Original John Wayne autographs can be very costly, yet replica autographs and signatures are a more reasonable collectible’s option. Beware of 'genuine' fake autographs.

· Money

With merchandise like gold-plated coins to paper money, these John Wayne collectibles can be found at affordable prices worth little more than the money itself.

· Movies

Available in both VHS and DVD formats, John Wayne movies are classic collectible options, presenting the English American actor like he was on the big screen.

· Photographs

Averaging €15 to €20, John Wayne photographs provide quality snapshots of John Wayne from many of his iconic films. can be used to mount with a cut signature and framed.

· Trading cards

Ranging anywhere from €25 to €75, John Wayne trading cards and toy figures are a great addition to a collection.

· Other

From John Wayne clocks to knives, there are many other merchandise options available at different prices if one searches on selling and auctioning internet sites.

• 

Star Trek Autograph Addresses

These addresses may or may not respond to autograph requests.
It is up to the agent and the celebrity wether or not they wish to respond.
To increase your chances enclose a photo for them to sign and a return addressed envelope.
Good Luck, and it could be many months before a reply is received.




Patrick Stewart (Cpt. Jean-Luc Picard)
233 Wilshire Blvd., #600, SM, CA 90401
Jonathan Frakes (Cmdr. William Thomas Riker)
9135 Hazen St., BH, CA 90210
Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data)
P O Box 5617, BH, CA 90210
Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi)
2436 Creston Way, LA, CA 90068
Whoopi Goldberg (Guinan)
c/o Whoopi Inc., 4000 Warner Blvd., No. 405, Los Angeles, CA 90024 USA
Dwight Schultz (Lt. Barclay)
c/o Ceative Artists Agency Inc., 9830 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA 90212 USA
Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher)
c/o Innovative Artists & Literary Agency, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2850, Los Angeles, CA 90067 USA
William Shatner (Cpt. James Tiberius Kirk)
PO Box 7401725, SC, CA 91604
Leonard Nimoy (Cmdr. Spock)
2300 W Victory Blvd., #C-384, B, CA 91506

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Princess Diana's Autograph

Princess Diana was the ‘most photographed woman in the world’, and a 20th century icon. From her  wedding, watched by aworld audience of 750 million viewers, to her tragic death in 1997, her life enthralled people around the world.

She was famous for her beauty and style, which turned her into a fashion icon, and for her tireless charity work which helped highlight the plight of both AIDS sufferers and the victims of landmines.

Despite the wealth and privilege, Diana’s turbulent private life and very public divorce made headlines around the world. And her personal sadness led the public to form an emotional connection with her that no other member of the Royal family has achieved.

This connection was evident through the public outpouring of grief following her sudden death - with three million mourners attending her funeral at Westminster Abbey and over a million bouquets left outside her home in London.

This fascination with her life has remained ever since, and the value of her autographs and memorabilia has risen accordingly. The industry’s PFC40 Autograph Index shows that the average price of her signature has risen from £1,250 to £8,950 since the year 2000, an increase of 616%.

Collecting tips

Princess Diana’s signature is one of the most sought-after royal autographs on the market. The most valuable are good-quality signed photographs and items of a personal nature such as letters and notes.

Signed photographs are attractive to collectors as they have an ‘eye appeal’ which makes them more suitable for display. The public fascination with Diana’s private life means that notes and letters which offer an insight into her personal relationships will always be of interest to collectors of all types.

Other items such as Christmas cards are also a popular area for collectors, but a large number of examples on the market were created with an autopen and are relatively worthless. It can be difficult for anyone other than experts to spot the difference between genuine signatures and autopen signatures without extensive research.

For this reason it is important to buy Princess Diana autographs from a reputable, experienced dealer. who will always research the authenticity and provenance of autographs before offering them for sale, and will back this up with a lifetime money-back guarantee. These guarantees offer collectors protection that certificates of authenticity do not, as certificates can mean nothing unless issued along with a guarantee.

Fake? Michael Jackson Autographs

Three years after his death, Michael Jackson remains the "King of Pop." Fans are willing to pay big bucks for almost anything with Jackson’s autograph. But an NBC4 I-Team Investigation found evidence that some of these autographs being sold could be fakes. Acting on informationp, the I-Team attended a Dec. 2 auction at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills of Jackson memorabilia owned by the singer’s longtime costume designers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush.

The auction garnered more than $5 million in one day. Buyers included Lady Gaga, who tweeted that she bought 55 items, including a $180,000 jacket with Jackson’s signature.

Experts say many of the items sold for high prices because they were supposedly autographed by Jackson himself. But five nationally-known autograph authenticators tell the I-Team that at least some of the auctioned autographs are more than likely fakes.

"I would definitely stake my reputation on the fact that these autographs are not authentic," autograph authenticator Roger Epperson said after examining signatures from 50 of the nearly 300 signed items recently auctioned at Julien’s.

Epperson is widely known as one of the nation’s experts on Michael Jackson’s autograph. He authenticates autographs for some of the nation’s biggest auction houses, and sells autographed items himself.

One of the items Epperson examined was an autographed jacket (pictured below) from Jackson’s “Bad” Tour, bought for $4,375 by Beverly Hills dentist Joseph Goodman. "I am a big Michael Jackson fan," Goodman told the I-Team. "I wanted something signed."

"There’s a zero percent chance that that’s an authentic signature of Michael Jackson," Epperson said after examining the signature on the jacket Goodman bought. "The slant of the 'M' in 'Jackson' leans towards the right. A real one leans more to the left. The shapes are wrong, the slants are wrong, the size is wrong."

Experts say authenticating autographs is not science, but rather an expertise based on years of studying signatures. So the I-Team asked four more well-known authenticators to examine 11 autographed items from the Julien’s auction, including PSA/DNA, a company which authenticates for Christie’s Auction House and eBay.

Three of the four experts said it was their opinions that all 11 signatures were probably "Likely Not Genuine" is how PSA/DNA characterized the 11 autographs. The fourth expert said eight of the autograph samples we sent were "not likely to be genuine," and on three of them he was "unable to render an opinion."

The I-Team spoke with Michael Bush, Jackson’s longtime designer and the owner of the items auctioned at Julien’s. The I-Team asked Bush, who made millions from the Dec. 2 auction, why he thought experts were saying the autographs on his memorabilia were fake.

"I don’t know how to respond to it," he said. "I’m going to fake a bunch of signatures, a bunch of clothes, to destroy my reputation for 25 years of working for Michael? No, no."

The owner of Julien’s Auctions, Darren Julien, told the I-Team he believes the autographs he sold are genuine. "They come from someone who worked very closely with Michael Jackson … the people who made the items for Michael Jackson," Julien said.

The I-Team asked Julien to provide us with the names of any experts his auction used to authenticate the autographed items he sold for more than $1.5 million on Dec. 2. Julien told us to contact Laura Woolley, owner of The Collector’s Lab.

But Woolley told the I-Team she’s an appraiser of auction items, not an autograph authenticator. And she said one of the authenticators used by the I-Team, PSA/DNA, is reputable.

Woolley did say she’s looked at many of the autographed items in the Julien’s auction and thinks they’re genuine autographs. "I have no reason to doubt Michael Bush. The provenance of these signatures is solid," Woolley said.

Many autograph experts and buyers disagree, and are posting their comments on websites like Autograph Magazine Live.

"All but a few autographs in the Tompkins and Bush sale (at Julien’s) are so bad they don’t even resemble Michael Jackson’s signature," said Steve Cyrkin, editor of Autograph Magazine Live.

Those comments appear to have caught the attention of the FBI. Two of the I-Team’s sources said they have been contacted by the FBI about the allegedly fake autographs, and said that the agency requested interviews with them. FBI Spokesperson Laura Eimiller would "neither confirm nor deny" that the agency is investigating the autographs sold in the recent auction.

The brewing controversy has some purchasers of Jackson memorabilia feeling buyer’s remorse, including Goodman, who bought that signed jacket. "If it’s a fake signature, I don’t think I’m interested anymore" in keeping the jacket, Goodman said.

Julien has told the I-Team if any customer questions the authenticity of an autographed item they bought, he will give them their money back.

The Disappearing Autographs

When aged just 10, Barry Landau wrote a letter to Dwight D. Eisenhower, admiring his  wife and offering his assessment of where the general stood in the country's list interesting life then [sic] any other President of our United States," according to a copy of the letter released by the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.

Barry Landau accumulated the world's largest private collection of presidential memorabilia - by allegedly stealing it, John Edwards reports:.

The boy got a card back from the White House, triggering a lifelong love of historical documents and a passion for accumulating them. He has since built what his lawyer calls the world's largest private collection of American presidential memorabilia.

Now he's under house arrest, and items from his prized collection have been seized by federal agents in a case that has rocked the tight-knit world of historical-document collectors.

Mr. Landau and an associate, Jason Savedoff, are awaiting federal trial in Baltimore, accused of conspiring to steal irreplaceable historic documents and sell them for profit. Paul Brachfeld, inspector general of the National Archives and Records Administration, says that of the 10,000 pieces removed from Mr. Landau's New York home, at least 2,500 of them—potentially worth millions of dollars—were stolen from historical societies, university libraries and other institutions along the East Coast.

Prosecutors said in court that they found in Mr. Landau's apartment jackets with extra-deep pockets specifically tailored for stashing documents.

Lee Arnold, senior director of the library and collections at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, recalls a duo with a voracious appetite for documents. He says the pair handled hundreds of boxes of items, visiting 21 times between December and May, and gave out Pepperidge Farm cookies to staff. At the Maryland Historical Society, where the indictment alleges the pair stole roughly 60 documents, a staffer says they tried to charm employees with cupcakes (including a "California Dreamin'" variety with orange citrus-flavored buttercream).

"To see this type of material, the content and the volume, it makes your jaw drop," says Mr. Brachfeld, whose office is examining Mr. Landau's collection of allegedly stolen documents. "This collection that we've recovered appears to be far in excess of anything we've previously seized."

Both men have pleaded not guilty. Mr. Savedoff has an Oct. 27 date set for his rearraignment, where he's expected to change his plea to guilty, according to people close to the case.

The alleged crime spree comes amid robust demand for rare American documents. Last year, Sotheby's sold a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln and once owned by Robert F. Kennedy for nearly $3.8 million, more than double its presale high estimate and an auction record for a presidential document. Lincoln's 1864 victory speech written in his hand—a document known as an autograph manuscript—sold for more than $3.4 million at Christie's in 2009.

The overall auction market for rare American historical documents totals $30 million to $50 million annually, with roughly 5,000 to 8,000 pieces sold per year, says Selby Kiffer, Sotheby's senior international specialist for books and manuscripts.

On Nov. 15, Christie's will auction five pages from the original manuscript of Thomas Jefferson's "Manual of Parliamentary Procedure" with a high estimate of $300,000. On Dec. 13, Sotheby's will offer a George Washington autograph document dated 1781 detailing writing instructions to his recording secretary, estimated at $25,000 to $35,00

Criminals are lured not just by big-ticket items but by artifacts whose origins may be tough to trace, like White House dinner invitations issued en masse. "If you take things that are made in multiples, those are all very sellable," says former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Robert Wittman, a leading art-crime investigator.

Top document collectors include real-estate magnate Albert Small and, for years, omnivore buyers Richard Gilder, the senior member of the brokerage firm Gilder, Gagnon, Howe & Co., and Lewis Lehrman, chairman of L.E. Lehrman & Co., a Greenwich, Conn., investment firm. Buyers tend to be cerebral types who obtain rare artifacts for longstanding collections, not risk-takers looking to buy and sell status symbols. "It's the type of collecting that doesn't hang on the wall above your couch and shout, 'Here I am, I'm valuable,' " says Chris Coover, Christie's senior specialist for books and manuscripts.

The case against Messrs. Landau and Savedoff has cast an unflattering light on the lax security at many archives that preserve documents central to the national identity. Some of the archives allegedly targeted by the men are cash-strapped, struggling to fully staff their reading rooms—like the Maryland society, which has slashed staffing by more than 70% over the past decade. Many of these smaller institutions allow relatively easy access: Until this summer, visitors to the University of Vermont's library didn't have to show identification, according to Jeffrey Marshall, director of research collections at the university's Bailey/Howe Library.

In court, prosecutors called the University of Vermont a target of the suspects. Mr. Marshall says the institution is missing roughly 60 documents, including letters from Franklin D. Roosevelt. The library isn't among those mentioned in the indictment, and Mr. Marshall declines to comment on whether the men visited there.

"At some extremes, there's no watchdog" at archival institutions, says Robert Goldman, a former federal prosecutor who chased document thieves and other art criminals for the bulk of his career. "A person comes in and is given the keys to the kingdom."

Mr. Landau, 63 years old, and Mr. Savedoff, 24, were arrested July 9 at the Maryland Historical Society after staff became suspicious of their behavior. The indictment alleges the pair pilfered dozens of documents from that institution, including an 1861 land grant signed by Lincoln. It also states that the men stole a 1780 Benjamin Franklin letter from the New-York Historical Society and seven "reading copies" of speeches from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum bearing the president's markings; it accuses Mr. Landau of subsequently selling four of those FDR speeches for $35,000. A prosecutor argued in court that Mr. Savedoff may have flushed a paper down the toilet just before the arrest.

Steven D. Silverman, Mr. Landau's lawyer, says there is no evidence his client had any of his jackets or overcoats altered to create bigger pockets and argues that the burden is on the government, not Mr. Landau, to prove the source of every document: "His collection is so vast that it's impossible for Barry or anyone to identify the origin of many of the items since they were accumulated over decades," he says. Mr. Landau declined to be interviewed.

A lawyer for Mr. Savedoff declined to comment. Mr. Savedoff was released on $250,000 bond. Mr. Landau introduced Mr. Savedoff to archives staff as his nephew, though Mr. Silverman says they aren't related. If convicted, the suspects face maximum prison sentences of 15 years.

Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein, whose office is prosecuting the case, sees far-reaching repercussions for archives. "They're no longer going to be so trusting," he says. Archive staffers are buying new cameras, locking bathrooms and improving sight lines in reading rooms. The Manuscript Society, an organization for document collectors, recently tucked a flier into the journal mailed to its 1,000 members asking them to contact the FBI if they were approached by the two men selling memorabilia.

A National Archives team is still poring over Mr. Landau's collection, including an original tongue-in-cheek epitaph written by a young Benjamin Franklin for himself in 1728 in which he calls himself "food for worms." Investigators say they are now informing archives that may have been hit. "We're going to surprise a lot of people," Mr. Brachfeld says.

Files and boxes at archives may be labeled, but often their contents are not. Inventorying everything at the Maryland Historical Society "would take us probably a decade," says Burt Kummerow, the society's president, estimating the suspects targeted up to $1 million in items.

Locking original documents in vaults and handing out copies isn't a popular solution, either. Archives operate largely outside the digital realm, lacking the funds to make their entire collections available electronically. Besides, that idea runs counter to the mission of sharing the artifacts in all their yellowing, crumbly glory. "If the material is not available for people to use, then what's the point?" asks Richard Malley, head of research and collections at the Connecticut Historical Society.

Yale University clamped down on library security a few years ago after antiquities dealer E. Forbes Smiley confessed to widespread map theft on the campus and elsewhere, says Lynn Ieronimo, the head of security at Yale's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. That library has installed casino-style cameras that hover over every table in the glass-walled reading room, and the library is considering adding facial recognition software to its arsenal says Ms. Ieronimo, who adds that everyone's belongings, including her own, are searched upon departure.

Mr. Landau's quest for documents began in 1958, when he was a curious 10-year-old with a toothy grin. The letter to Eisenhower, one of at least two, came with a request for an autograph, along with a picture of himself holding a dachshund by the hind legs on a manicured yard.

Over the years, Mr. Landau went on to amass what he has called a collection of more than one million pieces, which formed the basis of his 2007 book, "The President's Table: Two Hundred Years of Dining and Diplomacy." (The book lists him as Barry H. Landau, though at other times he has been identified as Barry M. Landau.)

In a 2007 speech promoting that book at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, a talk that is now posted online, Mr. Landau described himself as a D.C. insider who worked for eight presidents. (Photos show him with Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.) He described his White House role as "flying below the radar." He added: "I was always behind the scenes, so it's fun, and there's integrity to what I do, you know?"

In his New York accent, the former press agent told his story, interrupted occasionally by audience members asking him to back off the microphone. He said he was the grandson of immigrants who came to the U.S. with little more than a pair of candlesticks. His mother, he said, worked her way through college and became a photographer for journalist Walter Winchell. He was an asthmatic and lonely boy, the child of bitterly divorced parents whose father once told him, "You're never going to amount to anything because you think with your heart."

Mr. Landau now is confined to his Manhattan apartment with a GPS monitoring device around his ankle. He recently sought permission from the court to sell off some possessions to pay his expenses, including a $40,000-to-$60,000 Andy Warhol print entitled "Liz," which he identified as a gift from the artist, glass frogs and other figurines, a presidential-inaugural medal collection and jewelry from his mother.

Ray Harryhausen dies aged 92

A host of directors have paid tribute to visual effects guru Ray Harryhausen following his death at the age of 92.

Britain's Nick Park said he was "one of the true greats", while George Lucas said that without him, "there would likely have been no Star Wars".

"I loved every single frame of Ray Harryhausen's work," said Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright. "He was the man who made me believe in monsters."

Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans were among his many films.

He made his models by hand and  shot them frame by frame to create some of the best-known animated sequences in cinema.

He is perhaps best remembered for animating the seven skeletons  in Jason and the Argonauts, a sequence which took him three months to film, and for the Medusa who turned men to stone in Titans.

"I've followed the work of Ray Harryhausen all my life," said Park, Oscar-winning creator of Wallace and Gromit.

"He is one of the true greats, if not the true great of stop motion animation.

"The unique craftsman,has been my mentor and inspiration since my earliest childhood memories."

Fellow Oscar-winner Peter Jackson also paid homage, saying that his Lord of the Rings films would never have been made "without his life-long love of his wondrous images and storytelling".

Steven Spielberg said Harryhausen's inspiration "goes with us forever", while James Cameron said Hollywood's science-fiction film-makers had been "standing on the shoulders of a giant".

Director John Landis described Harryhausen as a "true giant of the cinema" and said his creations were "not only the stars of those movies, but the main reason for those movies to exist at all".

Peter Lord, co-founder of Aardman Animations, described Harryhausen as "a one-man industry and a one-man genre" on Twitter.

He later told the BBC: "What is now done by a team of hundreds... he did this single-handedly for 15 years."

A childhood fascination with dinosaurs spurred him into the world of model making

The movies Harryhausen made - which include The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Valley of the Gwangi and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad - are cherished by devotees of film fantasy.

"I had seen some other fantasy films before, but none of them had the kind of awe that Ray Harryhausen's movies had," said Lucas.

The late science fiction author Ray Bradbury, a longtime friend and admirer, once remarked: "Harryhausen stands alone in his field.

"He breathed life into mythological creatures he constructed with his own hands."

Harryhausen lived in the UK for several decades with his wife Diana and often appeared at memorabilia shoes.

In 1992 he was given a special Oscar to honour his work with special effects.