Autograph is anything handwritten. The term often refers to a person’s signature. However, autographs also may be lengthy examples of writing, such as letters, documents, and manuscripts. The term autograph comes from the Greek words autos, meaning self, and graphein, meaning to write.
Collecting autographs.
The hobby of collecting autographs is called philography, from a Greek word meaning love of writing. People collect many kinds of autographs. Some collect signatures or other handwritten materials of authors, composers, movie stars, or sports heroes. Others focus on certain events, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a presidential election, or the space program. Some collectors try to acquire a complete set of autographs of the Presidents of the United States, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, Nobel Prize laureates, or Academy Award winners.
Collectors use a number of terms to identify different types of autographs. A letter completely handwritten and signed is called an autographed letter signed (A.L.S.). A letter either typed or handwritten by another person but actually signed by the subject is known as a letter signed (L.S.). The terms autographed document signed (A.D.S.) and document signed (D.S.) usually refer to legal items, such as bank checks or receipts.
Collectors may request autographs from celebrities either in person or by letter. They may also buy autographs at auctions or from dealers who guarantee the authenticity of the autographs they sell. Most beginning autograph collectors do not have the knowledge to determine whether an autograph is genuine. Many years of study are required to learn to verify handwriting and to become familiar with different types of paper and ink.
Inexperienced collectors also may mistake other kinds of signatures for genuine handwritten signatures. For example, some people have secretaries who sign their mail. Some individuals send out mass-produced letters or signed photographs to collectors who request their autographs. These facsimile autographs can be identified because they are not addressed to a specific person. Many famous people use a mechanical device called an Autopen to sign autographs. The machine can sign 3,000 signatures in eight hours. The only way to recognize an Autopen autograph is to compare two of them. All Autopen autographs are identical, but no two handwritten autographs are exactly alike.
The value of autographs
varies widely. Some signatures sell for less than $5, while some handwritten letters sell for thousands of dollars. The value of many autographs depends on supply and demand. William Henry Harrison served as President of the United States for only one month in 1841 before he died. Therefore, the supply of his autograph as President is quite small. On the other hand, a number of well-known figures, such as Daniel Webster and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, wrote many letters during their lifetime, and so their autographs are relatively inexpensive.
In all cases, the content of an autograph helps determine its value. For example, a letter written by astronaut Neil A. Armstrong that describes his walk on the moon is extremely valuable. A brief typed “thank you” letter signed by the astronaut would be relatively inexpensive.
Preserving autographs.
A collector may mount autographs in albums or put them between sheets of acid-free paper to help prevent them from turning yellow with age. Some collectors place autographs in transparent envelopes in a loose-leaf binder. These envelopes protect autographs from dirt and rough handling. Libraries usually place valuable autographs in manila folders.
