9/20/2023 0 Comments Autograph collection![]() Few hobbies allow you to touch your idols, even if indirectly. It’s indisputable, as an autograph collector you’ll be practicing a hobby with an illustrious history. They also get an extraordinary chance to own a piece of history, feeling part of it, and to own a collectible that is unique (no two autographs are ever the exact same), something that most other collectibles can not offer. People collect things because of the thrill of the search or hunt, and autographs in particular provide a physical, direct connection with their idols or with historical events. Given that only 6 instances of his autograph exist worldwide, it’s hardly shocking that dealers estimate his autographs are worth well over $5 million. One such example is the autograph of William Shakespeare. Many individual autographs are valued at over a million dollars. Current estimates suggest that over 3 million autograph collectors exist worldwide, making over $4 billion in autograph purchases every year. After all, autograph collecting is a serious business. In the 20 th century, a common stereotype of autograph collectors emerged in the mainstream too – the autograph hunter became known as the autograph hound.Īs a result of their reputation, serious autograph collectors have evolved to become far more disciplined and reserved. Benjamin opened the first autograph gallery in the US in New York City in 1887. At the time, the American author James Fenimore Cooper wrote that he received autograph requests almost daily from complete strangers.Īs the demand for celebrity autographs skyrocketed, autograph collecting became a mainstream hobby. Some suggested bibliography on Autographs (see full list at the bottom) THE EARLY MODERN ERAīy the middle of the 19 th century, the practice became widespread. Titled the Album Amicorum, most of these signatures were from the collector’s famous and noble friends. At the time, this album was evidence of the collector’s popularity and social standing. Unfortunately, this collection vanished over time, as most of the library caught fire during Julius Caesar’s civil war.įast-forward about a dozen centuries and we can find that the first known autograph album containing documents with signatures dates from 1466. This famous library held the first known autograph collection, likely the largest in the ancient world. ![]() Often called the world’s oldest hobby, the history of collecting autographs begins with the great library at Alexandria in the 4 th century B.C. This begs the question, how did autograph collecting become popular in the first place? You didn’t plan to make them a part of your collection. This is because there is no discernible category that both these pieces of signed memorabilia fall under. If your friend gifts you a music sheet signed by Massenet, and you happen to have bought a signed picture of Marilyn Monroe at an antique store two years ago, these two pieces do not form an autograph collection. You must actively search for the autograph to make it a part of your collection, rather than having the fortune to receive it by happenstance (gift, in person, or finding it by chance without actively looking for it). For instance, one might collect the autographs of famous composers from the 18 th century. The collected autographs fall under a certain category or topic that you determined in advance. ![]() How do you determine whether an autograph is part of a collection? There are two components:ĭefine a path to follow. ![]() Read this guide for beginner autograph collectors to get familiar with how autograph collecting works.įor any real, serious collecting, autograph collecting is the practice of intentionally curating and acquiring autographs worthy of a collection. Soon, you’ll find that while you began your autograph collecting journey with good intentions, collecting autographs from your favorite performers hardly places you in the top tier of autograph collectors. However, there is far more to autograph collecting than meets the eye. ![]() This is the path of many beginner autograph collectors many covet the opportunity to meet their idols. Sometimes, you wonder if you’re bold enough to join the pack and bring along one of your vinyl records next time. Every time you go to a concert, you see a gaggle of autograph collectors lining up to get their music memorabilia signed by their favorite artist. Collecting autographs: You might have thought about it or even done it over the years. ![]()
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