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Choosing Statement Pieces for Your Signature Room

Everyone wants that one highlight piece to make an impression in their basement, man-cave, or signature room. But with tens of thousands of hand-signed collectibles to choose from, how do you know where to start?  Selecting the perfect piece may seem overwhelming but we’re here to help! Read below for expert advice in narrowing down your search so you can select that one statement piece that will perfectly complement your space and reflect your personality and interests. 

 

1. Measure Your Space

The first step is to make sure you have the wall space to properly display a given item – No one wants to buy a beautiful display piece only to realize it doesn’t fit the available wall space, or even worse, is too small to make an impression in the selected area. Start by evaluating the room you have and deciding what type of item will best fit the space.  

Maybe you have a little more room and are looking for a truly show-stopping piece that can fill an entire wall and act as the focal point of your home? You may find that a full-size guitar will perfectly fit the bill to impress anyone that steps foot into your home.

Maybe you have a dedicated theatre room and are looking for an original full-sized movie poster to hang on the wall. Whether you are looking for Hollywood legends like Warren Beatty or Sophia Loren or a current box office star like Denzel Washington or Natalie Portman, authentically signed posters will definitely make a statement. 


On the other hand, you may be working with a smaller space, or you may have another focal point with other memorabilia already displayed. In that case photographs or autographed records would be the perfect fit to fill out your collection and provide rich, eye-catching, texture to your room. 

 

2. Narrow Your Focus

The next step to truly telling your personal story in your space is to choose an area of focus. You don’t want to leave an impression of a random collection, you want to communicate a purpose and a passion, so think about what you love. 

Are you a huge Springsteen or Rolling Stones fan?  A signed photograph or album with a custom frame will make a true statement piece that your friends won’t see anywhere else.  

Perhaps film or television are more your speed? Authentically signed memorabilia featuring Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Arnold Schwarzenegger, or  Sylvester Stallone will make an impression that will leave your friends in awe. 

Are you a sports fan? What could suit your man-cave better than signed, authentic, sports memorabilia? 

Can’t find what you’re looking for?  Consider commissioning a custom-framed autographed item for an absolutely one-of-a-kind statement!

 

3. Frame it!

So you’ve selected the perfect piece? Great! But you don’t want to make a significant investment in collectible memorabilia just to plop it anywhere! The next step is to have our team assist with our custom framing option to present the item in the best way possible.

 

4. Choose a Reputable Dealer

Don’t get taken by dime-a-dozen websites with great prices and big promises of authentic signatures. These online stores rarely offer reliable guarantees or stand behind their items. As soon as they take your money you’ll likely never be able to get in touch with them again and, sadly, you will more than likely be left with a fraudulent signature which is worthless. Instead, take the time to do your research and make sure you select a trustworthy retailer that offers proof of authentication and guarantees every item they sell.

 

Ready to Make Your Dream a Reality?

Before you purchase a museum-quality item, be sure to evaluate the room you want to display it in and measure the size of your space.  

Don’t neglect the details, make sure your item will be ready to display upon arrival by contacting our custom framing department who can assist you with your questions and help you ensure proper framing. 

Don’t rush into a decision. Take your time to narrow your focus and choose a focal point that will express your passion! If you’re ready to invest in that signature piece, check out our store or contact us any time. We’d love to help you find the perfect item to suit your space!

How to Buy Authentic Autographed Memorabilia

The demand for autographed memorabilia has never been greater.  As fans and collectors look for signed photographs, albums and even guitars to adorn the walls of their homes and man-caves, unscrupulous individuals have seized the opportunity to flood the internet with forgeries.

There is nothing worse than spending money on a prized collectible, only to find out years down the line that it is not genuine.  Here at Autographia, we take authenticity very seriously.

 

What We Look For

So what, exactly, do we look for to tell that a signature is authentic? We look at details like the type of writing instrument used. For example you’re not going to find many (if any) authentic examples of John Lennon’s signature in blue sharpie as it was only introduced to the public the year before his death.

We also examine the pressure of the ink in the signature and the slant of the writing to ensure they match other well-known authentic examples. A left-handed person’s signature will generally have a completely different slant than that of a right-handed person for instance.

These are just a few examples of the kinds of details that a trained expert will know to look for which is why it is so important to find a reliable company.

 

Common Forgery Tricks 

While It is best to seek expert authentication for any purchase you are considering, these are a few common forgery tricks to be on the lookout for.

Stamped signatures -Many forgeries are made with stamps of a celebrity signature. These signatures will typically be flat and not raised or depressed, and unnaturally smooth and uniform in appearance. However it is not safe to assume that a signature that is raised or depressed is authentic.

Some items are signed with an actual pen however it was the forger who signed it, not the actual celebrity. These are too way too common. The FBI has estimated that conservatively 70% of all autographs online are fake. 

Additionally a seemingly realistic signature may have been made with an autopen –  a machine that uses a copy of the actual signature and is made to look real. While an obviously stamped signature can be cause for suspicion, even one that looks much more convincing needs a professional authentication to be sure. 

Secrecy – There is no good reason for a seller to want to hide the sale or purchase of the signed memorabilia. If a seller asks for secrecy, it may be a sign they do not stand by the veracity of the signature and will likely disappear after selling you the forged memorabilia.

Context -Do the historical details match up? For example, a genuine Carrie Fisher signature could not possibly be available on a Last Jedi Poster, since its release was after her unfortunate passing. Is the seller claiming the item was signed at a location that doesn’t make sense. Don’t be tempted by an item that feels “off” or doesn’t make sense.

Too good to be trueYou should be very wary other sites where supposedly authentic signatures can be had well below market value – as the old adage goes “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is”

 

Take Your Time

Finally it is always important to take your time when making purchasing decisions and ask questions! Don’t let someone pressure you into a quick purchase, which is almost always a red flag. 

Trusted sources like Autographia want you to feel comfortable in your purchase and cherish it for years to come! Our dedicated teams of experts inspect every item that is available for purchase within our collection to ensure that we provide fans with only 100% genuine memorabilia.

We are always happy to answer questions about specific items or about collecting in general.

So please take time to explore our collection and find the PERFECT piece that suits your interests. At Autographia, you will find every item has been examined and certified by one or more of the industry’s top autograph authenticators. You can rest assured you will receive an authentic hand signed item with the Autographia name backing it.