“Can I have your autograph?” For decades, those 5 words have meant that someone has arrived – that someone has become a celebrity, even if only for the figurative 15 minutes. Original, hand-signed copies of books, photographs, sports memorabilia (e.g. baseballs), and other memorabilia can fetch excellent prices at auction, as long as the authenticity of the autograph can be verified.
If you have old, autographed items you’re ready to part with, we can help you determine what an autographed item is worth at auction.
Baseball Hall of Fame Coach Connie Mack signed baseball
What’s the difference between an autograph and a signature?
It’s subjective and open to interpretation (and maybe a little bit of marketing or spin). A signature may still be valuable in a letter of historical significance, for instance. Anybody can offer a signature, but only a “somebody” can give an autograph.
At minimum, the autograph is a keepsake, often of a person’s meeting with a celebrity figure. More often, though, the autograph is valuable not only to the person who received the autograph first-hand, but also to subsequent owners, each of whom feels some personal connection to the famous figure.
What makes an autographed item valuable?
The most important indicator of value will be the celebrity status of the person giving the autograph. The age of the autograph and the rarity of it will also matter.
The item autographed could matter, too. An autographed baseball glove that once belonged to a famous baseball player and got used in a historic game will be worth more than an autographed photo. If you know the story behind the item and have a record of its provenance, you’ll fetch even higher prices at auction.
As with all collectables, the condition of the item, its rarity, and our ability to verify it as a bona fide autograph from the celebrity figure will make a difference.
Examples of valuable autographed items sold at auction
The most expensive autograph ever sold was George Washington’s Acts of Congress, which went for $9.8 million dollars.
Here are more-common, yet still valuable, examples of the sorts of autographed items you definitely don’t want to give away or throw away:
- A Linda Carter 1976 autographed Wonder Woman Fearless Hero 8×10 photo for $250
- An William Shatner autographed USS Enterprise 11×14 photo for $300
- An Al Pacino autographed The Godfather 1:18 scale die-cast 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood for $600
- A 1909 150 Fielder Jones baseball player portrait for $2,300
We’re especially interested in appraising older autographed material, particularly those from extra-famous or historical figures, but every autographed item is worth a look.
Sell your autographed item(s)
Once you know you have items of worth, you can decide to work with us on an auction that will get your items in front of serious collectors willing to pay top dollar for the right piece.
If you think you might have a John Hancock of value, don’t try to do guesswork or rely on a second-hand account. Contact Central Mass Auctions for an assessment and to bring you the most at auction.
