Autographs

Autograph collection is a popular hobby.

There are two types of Autograph collection.

The first is carried out by enthusiasts with an autograph book that collect signatures of players at football matches, actors at stage doors and other celebrities when they meet.

This group are the only people who can be certain of the authenticity of their autographs as they were actually present when they were signed.

Love from Madonna

The second and main body of collectors buy autographs of celebrities at autograph fairs, specialist shops, internet sites and auction sites.

This is great fun as it can be quite exciting to have an item that was held and signed by a star like Madonna and a collection of autographs by your favourite stars can be a rewarding hobby.

Sadly a high percentage of these autographs are fakes.

It only takes a few seconds and a pen to write Elvis Presley on an old publicity photograph at which point the value of the photograph rises from a few pounds to about £500.

How do you avoid the fakes?

Buy only from reputable dealers who belong to the UACC ( Universal Autograph Collectors Club )and AFTAL (Autograph Fair Trade Association Ltd) or similar organisations worldwide.

Ask any buyer which organisation they belong to and check it out- AFTAL displays a list of members.

If you do not know the association check their rules as the organisation may just be a collectors club who have no regulatory powers.

Visit reputable web sites or visit an autograph fair to look at prices so that you know what a reasonable price is for an item and recognise a price that is much too low. Remember a counterfeit autograph is no bargain.

Photographs of a star signing an autograph is not proof that the autograph you are being offered is that autograph it is just proof that at some time the star signed an autograph.

COA ( Certificates of Authenticity)

COA are usually offered with autographs.

A COA for a new item from a reliable organisation is great. An example is memorabilia sold direct by many football clubs.

The problem is that if a counterfeiter is willing to forge a photograph then forging is COA is a simple extra item.

A COA with other autographs is nice but it will not alone be enough to convince you that the autograph is genuine.

Genuine COA's have been copies and then used with forged autographs to give them authenticity.

Don't worry about the appearance of the COA as some of the most impressive looking are fake.

Check these things on the COA.

• Who issued the certificate?

• Is there a connection between the person who issued the certificate and the seller?

• What qualifications does the issuer have to judge authenticity.

• Does the COA match the autograph?

 

Buying from Auction Sites

Be very very wary of buying anything from any seller who uses a private option (Private Feedback or Private bidding) this means that you cannot check on their previous sales to check that any ratings are correct and not bidded up and you will be unable to see any comments by previous buyers. The private option can be used to conceal dubious sellers.

Look in their feedback not only for comments of previous buyers but to see what they have sold. Have they sold lots of items that are rare or difficult to find? Have they sold several similar items that should be unique ie a Madonna signature is comparatively rare but the same seller having several is questionable. What have they sold the items for ? Every seller at times has to sell items that don't reach their value but sellers cannot continue to sell genuine items well below their market value but counterfeiters can!

Read the details several times to make sure that you read what is written and not what you would like to see.

Where are the sellers based ? Is this an area where counterfeiting is common? If the seller claims to have met the star and the item was signed in their presence is that likely eg has Elton John gone to China to sign an autograph.

Don't be frightened to ask the seller questions but remember that a counterfeiter will have already forged an autograph so they are likely to be happy to lie to you in their answers. If you ask them questions ask questions like who did you buy the items from , what is your membership dealers number of UACC.

The last tip is the best - If it looks to good to be true then it most certainly is counterfeit.