How Much Is My Autograph Worth?
There is no single price list for autographs. Here is how collectors research value for a specific item.
Published · 6 min read · By CollectorFish
Value starts with authenticity
An autograph that isn’t genuine has little or no collector value, however famous the name. Before researching price, find out what you have: hand-signed, or an autopen, preprint, stamp or secretarial signature. If the item is valuable and has no authentication, a third-party opinion may be worth considering; see autograph authentication explained.
Find comparable completed sales
The most useful evidence is what similar items actually sold for recently. Auction house archives and completed-sale records on marketplaces are common sources. Compare like with like:
- the same person;
- the same type of item (index card, photo, ball, jersey, album, letter, document);
- a similar subject, for example a photo from the role or moment the person is best known for;
- similar condition of both the item and the signature;
- similar authentication and provenance.
Ignore asking prices that never sold. A handful of real sales tells you far more than dozens of hopeful listings.
Adjust for what makes your item different
Inscriptions, personalizations, fading, a signature placed across a dark area, a famous quote or a date can all move value up or down. The guide to what makes an autograph valuable covers each factor.
When to get a formal appraisal
For insurance, estates or donations you may need a written appraisal from a qualified appraiser rather than your own research. An appraisal is an opinion of value; an authentication is an opinion of genuineness. They answer different questions, and one doesn’t replace the other.
What CollectorFish can and can’t tell you
CollectorFish doesn’t appraise items or publish price guides. Prices you see on CollectorFish are asking prices set by sellers. To see whether collectors want an item like yours, check the Wanted board for posts about the same person. If you decide to sell, read how to sell autographs.
This guide is general collector education, not a guarantee of authenticity or value. CollectorFish does not currently authenticate or appraise items.
Related guides
Two signatures by the same person can sell for very different amounts. These are the reasons.
Authentication is an expert opinion about whether a signature is genuine. Here is how it works and what it can and can’t promise.
Honest descriptions, clear photos and realistic prices sell autographs. Here is how to prepare each one.
A certificate of authenticity is a statement that an autograph is genuine. Who made that statement is what matters.
Can’t find the autograph you’re looking for?
Cast a Line: post a free Wanted request and let collectors know what you’re hunting for. If someone has it, they can respond privately.