Celebrity Autographs - Collecting / Purchasing Questions And Answers
Question: "Im a beginner when it comes to autograph collecting
. What type of autographs should I purchase?"Answer: Buy autographs that capture your interest. Dont purchase items presented as investments or sold through pressure. Learn as much as possible the language of autograph collecting. The more you study, the easier it will be for you to determine what items are authentic and which items to purchase. Use common sense when buying a signed piece. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchase autographed items a reputable dealer who will help you avoid risks and problems. Most dealers offer a certificate of authenticity, which is only as good as the reputation of the seller. If the dealer cannot tell you when and where the item was signed or how it was obtained, go elsewhere.
Question: "I see many pre-printed autographed photos on eBay. What are these and is there any value?"
Answer: These are facsimile reproductions of actual signed photos. With todays technology, sellers can easily copy an authentic item with great detail and sell at a drastically reduced price. Novice collectors or those on a limited budget are usually the target of these sellers. Unfortunately, many buyers are unaware that the item is a copy because of the vague description. We recommend that collectors avoid these pre-printed photos and be extremely careful when purchasing autographs online.
At Strickler's Celebrity Autographs, all autographed items we sell are either signed in our presence or obtained directly from a known & certified source. We go to great lengths to establish authenticity of our autographs, especially in an age of the internet and online auctions that have become a safe haven for forgers and inexperienced sellers of secretarials, facsimiles and forgeries. We provide you 30+ years of experience and integrity.
We sell vintage and unknown signed items only after extensive research and when confirmed as genuine. We have over 30+ years of experience in authenticating and appraising autographs and are trained in forensic handwriting and document examination using techniques that include forensic examination, exemplar comparisons, ink analysis, paper/age testing, pen pressure, etc. In the uncommon event that there is a signature with which we or our associates are unfamiliar, we have access to other recognized experts as well as an extensive library of reference materials and archive of authentic signatures for comparison. We sell ONLY authentic, hand-signed autographed memorabilia. NO REPRODUCTIONS or PREPRINTS are ever offered for sale.
The items we offer for sale are either signed in our presence or for our designated associate in-person at a show, private signing, premiere or other event. Our associates have many years of experience in entertainment including credited work on major motion pictures and television productions, professionals in the music industry, entertainment agents as well as concert and regional fair promoters. Some of our items are also signed by the celebrities in the privacy of their home, office or on working location. In order to obtain a wide variety of quality items, we have trusted contacts across the United States and the UK.
Member of the following organizations:
The Manuscript Society
IADA - International Autograph Dealers Alliance
American Philatelic Society
International Autograph Society (AdA)
The Ephemera Society of America
Antiques and Collectibles National Dealers Association
Strickler's Celebrity Autographs
by: Medieval