Autographs, authenticated correctly.
Autographs are the highest-leverage category for authentication — the same signature on the same paper can sell for 3–10x with a recognized authenticator's letter. Get the basics right and you protect most of the value.
What collectors look for
- Signed sports photos and equipment
- Signed entertainment photos, posters, and scripts
- Historical documents and letters
- Signed first-edition books
- Cuts (signature-only) on index cards or pieces of cut paper
- In-person and at-show signatures
What affects value
- Authenticator reputation (PSA/DNA, JSA, BAS, Roger Epperson, others)
- Subject significance and era
- Signature size, placement, and medium
- Item condition (especially around the signature)
- Personalization (sometimes lowers value)
- Provenance — photo of signing, ticket stub, contemporaneous record
Authentication considerations
- PSA/DNA, JSA, and BAS are the most widely recognized autograph authenticators
- In-person signing is itself a useful provenance signal
- Private COAs from dealers are weaker than third-party LOAs
- Some signatures (e.g. Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth) require highly experienced authenticators
Selling tips
- Authenticate before listing for autographs with expected value above $200
- Personalized autographs often sell for less — disclose them honestly
- Auction houses outperform marketplaces for rare/significant signatures
- Always ship signed flats between rigid boards with insurance
Articles in this category
Common Autograph Red Flags
The seven most common forgery patterns and seller-side warning signs in autographed memorabilia.
How to Store Autographed Photos and Documents
Archival sleeves, acid-free folders, climate, and handling — the specifics for ink on paper.
How to Tell If an Autograph Needs Authentication
A simple framework — by figure significance, expected sale price, marketplace requirements, and your own selling timeline.
Why Some COAs Are More Trusted Than Others
The four characteristics that make a Certificate of Authenticity credible — issuer reputation, lookup-ability, methodology disclosure, and aftermarket recognition.
COA vs LOA: What Is the Difference?
Certificates of Authenticity, Letters of Authenticity, and authentication slips — what each one means and which the market trusts.