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 true –You 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.