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