Autograph Authentication

A Guide to Autograph Authentication

The FBI estimates that the majority of autographs being sold today are fake. This can make the pursuit of autograph collecting very frustrating for collectors and fans. Unfortunately, there are con artists out there who will present a fake autograph as a real one in the hopes of taking your hard earned money. So, how can you protect yourself against these con artists while still enjoying the pursuit of collecting? One of the best ways is to understand the importance of autograph authentication.

First, it helps to know how to tell a real signature from a fake one. A variety of autographs are pre-printed, which means they are copies of an original. Some pre-printed signatures look a lot like the real thing, but can still be detected with a bit of comparison. What's more difficult to gauge is the secretarial autograph, which is done by an assistant of the celebrity. Only an expert trained in recognizing the particular celebrity's signature will know for sure if an autograph is secretarial or authentic. Another type of fake is that done by an autopen. An autopen is a machine that traces the autograph and writes it automatically.

When purchasing an autograph from a dealer, make sure it comes with a lifetime guarantee of authenticity. Even better, look for a dealer that also offers a certificate of authenticity from a recognized agency such as PSA/DNA. If the dealer cannot offer such a certificate, the lifetime guarantee will cover you if you get the authentication done on your own and find out the autograph is a fake. You can return the item to the collector with proof of the authentication process and get your money back.

Probably the best way to know that an autograph is real is to get it yourself. Movie premieres, sporting events and meet and greets are fantastic places to get the autograph of a celebrity. If you can't be in the right place at the right time, you can certainly write to the celebrities of your choice and request an autograph. Many stars will happily oblige a polite request from a fan. You will want to enclose a self addressed stamped envelope and something for the celebrity to sign. Autograph authentication is very helpful for many collectors, but can't replace the thrill of getting an autograph on your own!

Prize Autographs News:

EUR¢ New York Giants' Domenik Hixon stops by for autographs at . - The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com

EUR¢ New York Giants' Domenik Hixon stops by for autographs at .
The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com, PA - Dec 29, 2008
Standing along Route 57 on Monday night with hundreds of other freezing fans, Heunermund was getting ready to add another prize to his collection: an .

Edwards connects with Stan the fan - BuffaloBills.com

Edwards connects with Stan the fan
BuffaloBills.com - Dec 30, 2008
Trent signed some autographs, posed for pictures and the three family members shared some stories about living near Ralph Wilson Stadium. .

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