Autographs - General

An autograph is a tangible piece of an otherwise fleeting memory, whether it was a show-stopping performance, an artistic legacy, or a sports victory beyond compare. The jubilation from the experience will slowly fade, yet the autograph of the star, artist, or athlete will keep the excitement alive forever.

Such is the compelling nature of autographs, which explains the excitement that signatures attract when they appear on the auction market. This enthusiasm is one that dates back to the ancient world, as collecting autographs was popular even in ancient Greece and Rome. From popular playwrights to Roman Emperors, the signatures of notable figures proved a perfect collector's item among ancient cultures.

The keeping of autograph albums became popular during the Renaissance and Baroque eras, and a market for selling autographs first appeared in England in the early 19th century. Thomas Thorpe, a London-based bookseller, became one of the earliest dealers to specialize in autographs, ushering in an industry for autograph collecting and sales that is still booming today. The value of autographs varies dramatically, as price is dependent on factors from rarity and importance to condition and content. Setting monetary value aside, one would be hard pressed to price the role of the autograph as a memory keeper, as personal as it is universal.