Autograph of king Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden (1594-1632)
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Historical Autographs

An autograph is a document written entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one transcribed by an amanuensis or a copyist; the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph. more...

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As the word is used by non-historians, it has come to mean a person's signature. This term is used in particular for the practice of collecting autographs of celebrities.

Customs

In East Asia, an autograph from famous gentry is regarded as an honour. The value of an item bearing a high official's autograph could rise incredibly. In imperial China, an autograph from an emperor was priceless but selling an item bearing it could be a criminal offense.

In Europe and North America, asking for a celebrity's autograph used to be seen as a child's activity up to only a few decades ago. The boom of collecting autographs as a hobby came during the 1980s, and, as a consequence, many memorabilia dealers took notice, and what used to be an innocent hobby lost that innocence as both dealers and celebrities began to charge money for their signatures (especially on personal checks).

Charging for autographs

It should be noted that many celebrities still enjoy signing autographs for free for the fans, keeping it a very interesting hobby to this day. Hilary Duff has gone as far as publicly lashing out at some of her fellow teen idol stars who avoid autograph collectors. Art Carney was another person who enjoyed signing autographs, until his passing in November of 2003.

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Ww2 Philippines Ambrosio Padilla Signed Doc w Japan H/SWw2 Philippines Ambrosio Padilla Signed Doc w Japan H/S $24.99 Andrew D. White letter as 1892 Pres. Cornell UniversityAndrew D. White letter as 1892 Pres. Cornell University $34.95
John D. Rockefeller Jr. 1874-1960 autograph signatureJohn D. Rockefeller Jr. 1874-1960 autograph signature $98.80 Reuben Chapman - Autograph Letter Signed 08/26/1865Reuben Chapman - Autograph Letter Signed 08/26/1865 $999.00
Thomas E. Dewey letter 1944 Presidential Election (Fdr)Thomas E. Dewey letter 1944 Presidential Election (Fdr) $29.95 William Galispie "Red" Angus Autograph Document SignedWilliam Galispie "Red" Angus Autograph Document Signed $14,999.00
Loyd Wright - Inscribed Photograph SignedLoyd Wright - Inscribed Photograph Signed $399.00 Jack Kemp Signed Photo, Autopen SignatureJack Kemp Signed Photo, Autopen Signature $12.99
1928 Us Philippines Gregorio Perfecto Signed Subpoena1928 Us Philippines Gregorio Perfecto Signed Subpoena $45.00 Frederic Thesiger, 1st Baron Chelmsford, Signed CardFrederic Thesiger, 1st Baron Chelmsford, Signed Card $24.99
James E. Murdoch - Autograph Quotation SignedJames E. Murdoch - Autograph Quotation Signed $399.00 George Washington Cable - Signature(S) 12/27/1883George Washington Cable - Signature(S) 12/27/1883 $399.00
Lloyd Burke Moh Cmoh Korean War Autograph Signed Cover Lloyd Burke Moh Cmoh Korean War Autograph Signed Cover $31.50 Pierce Butler - Inscribed Photograph Signed 04/06/1932Pierce Butler - Inscribed Photograph Signed 04/06/1932 $2,499.00
Osa Johnson 1894-1953 autograph 8"x10" Vintage signedOsa Johnson 1894-1953 autograph 8"x10" Vintage signed $250.00 Gary Hart, Presidential Candidate, Typed Letter SignedGary Hart, Presidential Candidate, Typed Letter Signed $24.99
F Lee Bailey Oj Simpson Lawyer Signed AutographF Lee Bailey Oj Simpson Lawyer Signed Autograph $9.99 Loyd Wright - Typed Letter Signed 01/08/1970Loyd Wright - Typed Letter Signed 01/08/1970 $350.00
Gloria Vanderbilt 1904-65 autograph signature album pagGloria Vanderbilt 1904-65 autograph signature album pag $78.60 Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell, Signed CoverEdward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell, Signed Cover $24.99
Judaica Old Letter Sign By Bechor-Shalom SheetritJudaica Old Letter Sign By Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit $24.99 Mohamed ElBaradei autograph 8"x12" photo signed NobelMohamed ElBaradei autograph 8"x12" photo signed Nobel $178.60
John Glenn Signed Jfk Parade Amazing Classic 11X14 L@KJohn Glenn Signed Jfk Parade Amazing Classic 11X14 L@K $174.99 Donald Russell - Typed Letter Signed 11/21/1973Donald Russell - Typed Letter Signed 11/21/1973 $199.00
Amelia Earhart autographed cover '32 National Air RacesAmelia Earhart autographed cover '32 National Air Races Johann Deisenhofer Signed CardJohann Deisenhofer Signed Card $19.99
Daniel J. Flood, Pennsylvania Congressman, Typed LetterDaniel J. Flood, Pennsylvania Congressman, Typed Letter $16.99 William George Hay, 18th Earl Errol Signed Postal CoverWilliam George Hay, 18th Earl Errol Signed Postal Cover $29.99
Dalai Lama Signed Amazing Classic 8X10 With Pope Dalai Lama Signed Amazing Classic 8X10 With Pope $159.99 1912 Us Philippines Alberto Baretto Signed Court Order1912 Us Philippines Alberto Baretto Signed Court Order $45.00
Aaron Walterhouse - Document Signed 04/16/1847Aaron Walterhouse - Document Signed 04/16/1847 $499.00 John W. Griggs signed as Us Attorney General 1900John W. Griggs signed as Us Attorney General 1900 $14.95
Geronimo Actual Hair St Louis World'S Fair Signed CoaGeronimo Actual Hair St Louis World'S Fair Signed Coa 1947 Bureau of Banking Felix Dela Costa Signed Letter1947 Bureau of Banking Felix Dela Costa Signed Letter $13.13
Augusta Jane Evans Wilson - Signature(S) 1884Augusta Jane Evans Wilson - Signature(S) 1884 $499.00 Melville Cane - Autograph Letter Signed 10/25/1957Melville Cane - Autograph Letter Signed 10/25/1957 $499.00
1938 Philippines Salvador Lagdameo Signed Endorsement1938 Philippines Salvador Lagdameo Signed Endorsement $35.00 1949 Dagupan Mayor Angel Fernandez Signed Philippines1949 Dagupan Mayor Angel Fernandez Signed Philippines $45.00
Rare Lord Kelvin 1895 William Thomson Glasgow Uk LetterRare Lord Kelvin 1895 William Thomson Glasgow Uk Letter Joseph Bonanno - Check Signed 08/16/1976Joseph Bonanno - Check Signed 08/16/1976 $2,999.00
Donald F. McHenry, Us Ambassador to Un, Typed LetterDonald F. McHenry, Us Ambassador to Un, Typed Letter $19.99 George Francis Train colorfully signed with salutation George Francis Train colorfully signed with salutation $29.95
Gloria Allred Famous Lawyer Signed Autograph FdcGloria Allred Famous Lawyer Signed Autograph Fdc $9.99 Junko Tabei 1st Women Mount Everest Climbe Signed PhotoJunko Tabei 1st Women Mount Everest Climbe Signed Photo $39.99
Harry B. Harnsburger - Inscribed Photograph SignedHarry B. Harnsburger - Inscribed Photograph Signed $179.00 1947 Pio Pedrosa Signed Secret Service Appoinment Lettr1947 Pio Pedrosa Signed Secret Service Appoinment Lettr $13.13
Robert Bloch Psycho Horror Author Signed AutographRobert Bloch Psycho Horror Author Signed Autograph $29.99 William Mcgonagle Moh Vietnam War Navy Signed CoverWilliam Mcgonagle Moh Vietnam War Navy Signed Cover $31.50
1945 Appointment Letter Finance Miguel Cuaderno Signed1945 Appointment Letter Finance Miguel Cuaderno Signed $24.99 Clyde Barrow - Typed Letter Signed 1934Clyde Barrow - Typed Letter Signed 1934 $95,000.00
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