Mar 10
18
The hobby of autograph collecting has grown explosively in the past two decades. Autograph collectors can be found in every state in the US and around the world. Autograph shops, historical document galleries, and website autograph stores are popping up like mushrooms on a muggy day. Auction houses in big cities and tiny villages are offering autographs of Presidents, movie stars, sports figures, scientists, astronauts and authors.
Autograph collecting is not new. Cicero was a collector. Queen Victoria had an extensive collection including signatures of many early Presidents and world leaders. Not surprisingly Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy were autograph collectors too.
With all this popularity and interest in autographs, the new collector and even the experienced dealer must take great care in selecting and purchasing autographed material. Both collector and dealer each face an increasingly difficult job of identification and valuation. Multiple markets, title questions, and authenticity concerns all contribute to the confusion and challenges of collecting autographs and historical documents.
Literally millions of dollars worth of rare paper are cast aside and overlooked by collectors, appraisers, insurance adjusters, and their owners every year. Thousands of valuable letters, historical documents, and autographed books are considered by untrained appraisers and dealers as “worthless junk”.
Recently a client asked an antique dealer if his box of old paper had any value. The antique dealer told him they were “garbage.” Just on a hunch, the client discussed the collection with a qualified appraiser of rare paper autographs and manuscripts. With proper research and investigation, the appraiser determined that the collection contained historically important letters, books and photographs. One letter alone was valued at over $5,000.00. The collection sold for well over $20,000.00. — Not bad for a box of junk. The interesting aspect of the collection is that the most valuable letter in the collection was only 40 years old.
Most people believe that the paper must be very old to have any kind of value– obviously not true. Look at the Jackie Kennedy sale, recent sports autographs auctions and other examples of contemporary material being sold for astronomical prices.
It is also important to note that there are a great number of forgeries and facsimile signatures in existence as well. There are far more facsimile signatures and forgeries around than there are genuine examples.
With millions of dollars worth of autographs, manuscripts, books, and photographs around, chances are pretty good that there may be something in your attic, home, or sitting at a local garage sale. Some of it’s good and some of it’s not. Make sure you know the difference, and are familiar with value before you spend a penny.
There are a number of “identification rules” in autograph collecting. The number one rule is: “Assume it is not real until proven otherwise.” We all want to believe that we have made a great find. It is in our nature to discover a treasure for a fraction of the actual price. Not only do you need a keen eye, but you need a clear head.
When in doubt seek out a qualified, certified autograph and manuscript appraiser, before you throw anything away.
Brian Kathenes is the host of a weekly radio show, and a TV personality. He is a published author and the Managing Partner of National Appraisal Consultants, a full service personal property valuation firm.
He is past Chairman of the New York Winter Antique Show Vetting Committee on Autographs, Manuscripts & Rare Books, and works regularly with Lee and Leslie Keno and Cash in the Attic ’s Tim Luke.
Mr. Kathenes has presented seminars and symposia for over 472,000 participants and clients including the International Society of Appraisers ISA CAPP Course and Appraisal Techniques and Practical Information for Archivists and Librarians from the National Archives and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
He offers a special antiques and collectibles free report : “How To be Your Own Appraiser,” which can be found on: http://www.BestAntiqueTips.com