The Exciting World Of Autograph Collecting
Tags: Autograph collecting,autographs,hobby,hobbies,fanclub
The hobby of collecting autographs scaled to new heights of popularity during the 1980s. Earlier on it was only children who asked celebrities for their autographs. However, soon people from all age groups began to get interested in philography. Seeing the huge market potential of autographs as memorabilia, the dealers and celebrities started charging money for their signatures and a once innocent hobby became a commercial venture.
The history of autographs is rather interesting. When you flip through the pages of history you realize that being given an autograph by the aristocracy was considered a huge honor in East Asia. An item, which had a high officials signature, was considered to be of high value. In China during dynastic rule, the emperors autograph was considered priceless and selling of such an item was considered a criminal offense!
There are many famous personalities who always oblige their fans by signing autographs free of cost. This makes them more popular and helps retain the innocence of the hobby. Some extremely popular kids idols like Hillary Duff are known to willingly sign autographs for their fans. In fact Hillary Duff publicly lashed out to those teen idols that avoid signing for free. There are many high profile people who do not want to distribute their autographs for free. Sportsmen like the late Joe DiMaggio and Barry Bonds are a couple of players who belong to this category. As a matter of fact Michael Jordan could not give autographs to his innumerable and frenzied fans throughout his career, which is worth a lot of money.
The demands for celebrities autographs have always been steep. Dealers usually present several photographs for the celebrity to sign and then sell those pictures. Many dealers even go to the extent of finding out a celebritys residential address and then write to him/her asking for their autographs many times! Many celebrities are in the habit of maintaining records of how many autographs they provide and to which person. This helps them know if the person who is requesting for their signature is a genuine fan or just a dealer who wants to make money by selling their autographs.
The most sought after celebrities, for their autographs, are those who are movie stars, musicians, singers, members of music groups, teenage idols, political leaders, social and religious leaders, award winning scientists, popular and/or award wining authors and astronauts.
Different hobbyists like to collect signatures of celebrities in specialized or specific fields. These could be Nobel Prize winning authors, religious leaders, politicians, scientists, or mathematicians. The specifics of the collections are a matter of individual choice and liking.
While autographs may be worth hundreds of dollars for some, for a sincere hobbyist, his collection is a reflection of his admiration and loyalty for a celebrity and hence totally invaluable!
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M & S autograph silk collection ladies high leg knickers size 16 new £3.99 |
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Marks & Spencer Autograph Pink 38F Bra Silk Collection £10.00 |
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WWF/WWE Jakks Autograph Collection £3.99 |
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New Marks & Spencer Mens Jacket Autograph Collection Grey XXL £40.00 |
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Football Autographs Collection – Hand Signed Photos & Index Cards – Good Names £16.58 |
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Girls Coat Age 2-3 Marks & Spencer Autograph Collection £3.50 |
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Jerome Mathis 2005 Exquisite Collection Autograph RC #17/150 £25.53 |
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Des O’Connor autograph – personal collection 1960s £5.00 |
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M&S Autograph collection chunky knit jumper/cardigan size 20 £24.99 |
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UFC Autograph Collection £150.00 |
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BNWT £22 M&S Silk collection Bra Size 40D from the Autograph range £7.99 |
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Ladies Bra size 30c BNWOT from M&S Autograph collection £0.99 |
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SNSD Girls Generation Autographed Collection Card Ver.2 Jessica Hand Signed £7.50 |
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SNSD Girls Generation Autographed Collection Card Ver.2 Taeyeon Hand Signed £21.00 |
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JYJ Autographed Collection Card Yuchun Signed Autograph TVXQ DBSK £13.50 |
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JYJ Autographed Collection Card JaeJoong Signed Autograph TVXQ DBSK £13.50 |
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Autograph 125 Collection Purple Satin Shift Dress Size 14 £4.20 |
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JYJ Autographed Collection Card Xiah Junsu Signed Autograph TVXQ DBSK £4.70 |
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JYJ Autographed Collection Card JaeJoong Yuchun Junsu Signed Autograph TVXQ DBSK £13.50 |
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ILYA KOVALCHUK 2003-04 UD PREMIER COLLECTION PREMIER SIGNATURES #PS-IK AUTOGRAPH £10.17 |
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MARKS & SPENCERS AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION RED BASQUE £5.99 |
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Kirsty Gallagher autograph signed photo sky sports rare collectible £2.99 |
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Marks & Spencer Ladies Autograph Collection Shoes £15.00 |
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Marks & Spencer Ladies Autograph Collection Shoes £9.00 |
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Collecting Autographs Book | Susan Brewer NEW PB 184468 £13.62 |
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Brand New GIRLS TOP MARKS AND SPENCER (AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION) AGE 10 £3.99 |
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2007 Ultimate Collection Lawrence Timmons Autograph 250 £17.23 |
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BNWT GIRL COAT 12-18 MONTH AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION £15.99 |
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Brand New GIRLS TOP MARKS AND SPENCER (AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION) AGE 14 £3.99 |
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SIZE 18 TOP FROM THE AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION,WORN ONCE ONLY,BLACK,TIE WAIST £3.00 |
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Black Sequin Dress Size 14 Autograph Collection (M&S) £3.14 |
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Marks And Spencer Autograph Collection Girls Shorts Age 12 £9.99 |
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Advanced Autograph collecting Mark Baker Reference signatures book AFTAL UACC £19.95 |
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Marks And Spencer Autograph Collection Vintage Style Dusky Pink Bra 34DD £2.00 |
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2007 Ultimate Collection Stephen Drew Autograph £15.95 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Silk Collection purple bra 34F £11.99 |
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BNWOT M&S Autograph Silk Collection purple bra 32B £11.99 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Collection Luxurious Pure Cashmere Jumper Size 14 £24.99 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Collection Stunning Ultimate Luxury Bikini Size 10 RRP£43 £14.99 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Collection Stunning Ultimate Luxury Bikini Size 8 RRP£43 £14.99 |
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SMALL COLLECTION OF HAND SIGNED CELEBRITY AUTOGRAPHS £0.99 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Collection Gorgeous Swimsuit S12 £14.99 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Collection Gorgeous Swimsuit S14 £14.99 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Collection Gorgeous Pure Cashmere Scarf £13.99 |
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BNWT M&S Gorgeous Autograph Collection Ruffle Dress S8 £24.99 |
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JOB LOT,1980s POP,SOUL,R&B ORIGINAL SIGNED AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION £3.20 |
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DENNIS RODMAN AUtograph. 03-04 UD ULTIMATE COLLECTION £70.20 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Collection Formal Leather Shoes 7.5 £24.99 |
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BNWT M&S Autograph Collection Leather Smart Shoes 9.5 £24.99 |
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BNWTT M&S Autograph Collection Pure Cashmere Cardigan Size 8 £24.99 |