eBay Autographs: It Doesn't Have to Be That Risky

Many autograph collectors avoid inscribed photos. Personally I like them, especially vintage, and not only because the more lengthy the less likely they are to be forged, but they often provide insight that a simple signature can not. Last year I won an eBay autograph auction for an inscribed Cecil B. Demille photo . The inscription: "To Anne Baxter, I am sorry to hear that you are ill. And I hope that you will be well in time to see the Ten Commandments, but if you don't, I will send you a book about it. With affection - Cecil B. DeMille." This photo was previously won at an R & R Enterprises auction at $117. I won it on eBay for $25. Same item, different venue - MUCH better price. And it's an authentic eBay autograph.

I search eBay for legal or official documents. It's a very good way to find authentic eBay autographs. I have bought contracts signed by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tina Turner, Les Paul, Jimmy Durante, and Al Capp to name a few. They look very nice when framed with period photos. Its easy and fun to put together a work of art at a fraction of a comparable item in a gallery.

Membership cards, applications, licenses and similar documents are worth seeking out. They are usually one of a kind and often provide information about an individual that can't be found anywhere else. One my favorite eBay purchases is Primo Carnera's California Medical Exam that was a part of his application to become a professional wrestler. (Carnera was very famous in his time as a boxer, actor, and professional wrestler.) It is signed by both Carnera and his physician and has two "State of California Athletic Commission" stamps. Unquestionably, it's genuine.

Look for bank checks. Though the technology exists to counterfeit these things, fakes on eBay at this point are unlikely. When a check horde of a collectible name is discovered, as the checks become absorbed into the collector's market, they often get pricier and pricier, so its best to grab them as early as possible. I've been bidding on Lucille Ball checks for about a two years, watching them get higher and higher. Should have pulled the trigger first time I saw one. I like to buy checks to fill holes. If something better comes along, I buy it too - if not, I've still got an authentic signature. I bought checks of moonwalkers Jim Irwin and Charles Conrad for this purpose.

Checks also look great framed with other items.

Fan publications are much like autograph books, but even better because they usually have photos. These are often found at garage and estate sales and get thrown on eBay by many who do not how to list them. I found two fan photo books by the same seller who had them listed under magazines, not autographs. Inside of them were autographs of Loretta Lynn (very early), Rod Cameron, Lash Larue, Patsy Montana, Dick Simmons (Sgt Preston), Alan Hale Jr (key to a Gilligan's Island cast collection)and many more. I can't remember how much I paid, but it wasn't much. Most price guides have an Alan Hale alone at $100 - $125.

I found another of my favorite wrestling items on eBay, "Stars of the Mat." This is a professional wrestling fan publication from the early 50's. It was just one piece of a "lot." The bulk of the lot was 125 wrestling photos. I paid $325 for all of it. I listed the photos separately on eBay and netted over $1,000. Inside the publication is a signed inscribed photo of Primo Carnera. Carnera alone cut from the book would be worth a few hundred dollars. (Jim Thorpe, as a wrestling manager, is also in the book. If he had signed, we'd be talking about some serious money.) Twenty-five other major wrestling stars signed including Antonino Rocca, who was a household name in his time, big enough in his day to wrestle Superman in a comic book. The publication is part of my permanent collection and it was better than free, since I profited over $700 from the sell of the photos. The fact that it once belonged to a well known, at the time, Chicago sportscaster provides provenance.

After Johnny Cash died I regretted not owning any Cash signed items. I am a big Johnny Cash fan, but never got around to buying anything signed. Not very many years ago, a signed Johnny Cash photo would bring about $5 because he was such a prolific signer. A few years before his death he became not just a star, but a legend - larger than life and the value of his autograph soared. Not long after his death, I dug into the eBay descriptions and found a vintage Johnny Cash tour program with both his and June Carter's signatures. The seller neglected to say in the listing title that the book was signed, so I picked it up for $20. The book alone is worth more than that.

Look for items that even if the autograph was later found to be fake, it would still be a good deal. I have an Abbott and Costello framed piece that was once for sale at a Las Vegas gallery for $2995. The piece is made up of three photographs, the middle one with Abbott and Costello signatures on an authentic movie still. It is backed up with a certificate from the gallery. I emailed the seller a few times before bidding and she supplied me with enough information to convince me believe that it was the real deal. I was familiar with the gallery so I knew that nothing in it was ever cheap. The seller listed the item very poorly, concentrating on describing the framing (which is beautiful) more than anything else. She also provided a very poor photo that hurt more than helped. I won the auction at $125. I'm confident that the autographs are legit, but even if they weren't it is a $300 framing job.

I never buy an autograph solely because I like the framing, but it is a good feeling to know that I've bought something that is worth more than I paid, even disregarding the autograph.

Very often people who don't really care for autographs buy them anyway. Sometimes they are bought as gifts for another and the recipient keeps them for awhile until he tires of them or changes the color of his living room. Tons of framed, signed items are sold at touristy places like Disney World or Las Vegas. Often the buyer regrets the purchase before he gets backs home, and he puts it on eBay not much later - like was the case with the Abbott and Costello.

I've been fortunate to find several very nice custom framed, authentic eBay autographs. I have framed many of my autographs and I can verify that a good framing job isn't cheap. It's nice to have a quality autograph in a free custom frame.

Find Autographs on eBay

Go to Buying Collectibles on eBay, including eBay autographs





Return to Home Page from eBay Autographs