There are a lot of people with a lot of hobbies and passions in the worldSome people enjoy having collections of things such as stamps, rare coins, Texas shirts, or even autographed memorabiliaWhile some people might think that it is easy to tell if something is real or fake, there are actually a lot of counterfeit items out there.
So, how can you tell if autographed memorabilia is real? This is the question that many people struggle to find a good answer to, especially if they’re unfamiliar with how these things work.
There are a lot of risks when it comes to buying autographed memorabilia, no matter what that piece of memorabilia might be, but fakes are among the biggest risks associated with thisSo, how can one tell if an autograph is real and what happens if you accidentally buy a fake?
Let’s do an in-depth exploration of these questions in today’s article so we can all have a better understanding of how to protect ourselves (and our wallets) when shopping for autographed memorabilia.
Table of Contents
The Dangers of Buying a Fake
If you’re new to the world of autographed memorabilia, you might not fully understand exactly what the issue is with buying a fake autographAfter all, if you’re getting an autograph from your favorite celebrity, what does it really matter if it’s real or not?
However, there are actually a lot of risks associated with buying counterfeit autographs, including:
- You might be spending money on something that is worthless:
- Autographs are only worth as much as people are willing to pay for themIf you buy a fake autograph, it is likely that you will not be able to sell it for anything close to what you paid for it.
- You might be inadvertently supporting fraud:
- When you buy a fake autograph, you are giving money to the person who created the counterfeit itemThis only incentivizes them to create more fakes, which can make it harder for collectors to find authentic items.
- You might be breaking the law:
- In some places, it is actually illegal to knowingly sell or purchase a counterfeit itemThis means that if you’re caught with a fake autograph, you could face legal penalties.
- You might be risking your personal information:
- If you purchase a fake autograph online, you could be giving the seller your personal and financial informationThis puts you at risk of identity theft or fraud.
- You might be putting yourself in danger:
- There have been cases where people have been attacked or even killed for their autographsIf you’re buying a fake autograph, you could be putting yourself in the line of fire.
Buying a fake autograph is no jokeOf course, in some cases, the only consequences that you’ll feel are going to be in your wallet, but in other cases, the consequences could be much more severeIt’s important to understand the risks before you make a purchase so that you can decide if it’s worth it for you.
Also, even if the consequences are only in your wallet that could still hurtSome pieces of autographed memorabilia go for upwards of hundreds or even thousands of dollarsSo, if you’re spending that much money on a fake, it’s basically the same as flushing your hard-earned cash down the drain.
Of course, there are people out there that make their bread and butter by making and selling fake autographsThese people consider ethics to be a luxury they can’t afford, and maybe sometimes it isWhen you’ve got a family to feed and you desperately need to make some money, well, as they say, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Even so, knowing how to protect yourself from buying a fake autograph can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run, and it can be pretty easy to know if you’re buying a real autograph or not.
How to Know if You’re Looking at a Genuine Article
Collecting autographs can be fun and rewarding, but it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the real thingThere are a lot of fake autographs out there, and if you’re not careful, you could end up spending a lot of money on something that’s worthlessSo, how can you tell if an autograph is real?
Here are some things to look for when trying to determine if an autograph is genuine:
- The paper should be consistent with the time period during which the celebrity was alive:
- If you’re looking at an autograph from someone who died in the 1800s but the paper looks like it’s from the 1970s, that’s a pretty good sign that it’s a fake.
- The ink should be consistent with the time period during which the celebrity was alive:
- If you’re looking at an autograph from someone who died in the 1800s but the ink looks like it’s from the 1970s, once again, that’s a pretty good sign that it’s a fake.
- The handwriting should match other known examples of the celebrity’s handwriting:
- If you’re looking at an autograph from Abraham Lincoln but the handwriting doesn’t match other known examples of his handwriting, it’s probably a fake.
- The autograph should be free of spelling errors:
- If you’re looking at an autograph from a famous author but there are spelling errors in their name, chances are it’s not real.
- The autograph should not be smudged or faded:
- If an autograph is smudged or faded, that could be a sign that it has been forgedGenuine autographs will usually be clear and well-preserved.
- You should be able to find multiple examples of the same autographed item:
- If you can only find one example of an allegedly “rare” item, chances are it might not be as rare as claimed—or worse, it could be fake
- Ask to look at the certificate of authenticity:
- A reputable dealer will usually have no problem showing you the certificate of authenticity for an autographIf they refuse or seem evasive, that’s a red flag.
Of course, even if an autograph meets all of these criteria, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s realThere are a lot of fake autographs out there, and some of them are very convincingHowever, if you’re careful and do your research, you should be able to avoid most counterfeit items.
If you’re ever in doubt about an autograph’s authenticity, one of the best things that you can do is consult with a professional expertThere are people who make their living by authenticating autographs, and they usually have access to resources that the average person doesn’tThey can often quickly spot a fake autograph just by looking at it.
However, even experts can sometimes be fooled by counterfeit items—after all, if the fake is good enoughSo if you’re really concerned about whether or not an item is genuineThe best thing to do is get a second opinion from another expert.
This is where we get to some pretty interesting territory thoughIf a forgery is good enough to fool every expert that looks at it, is it still a fake? Or does it become real in some sense? This is a question that has been debated by philosophers and art historians for centuries, and there’s no easy answer.
The Joys of Collecting Autographs
Understanding how to look for a fake is one thing, but knowing the joys of collecting autographs is anotherAfter all, part of the reason why people collect autographs in the first place is that they enjoy itThere’s something special about owning a piece of history that has been touched by someone famous.
For some people, collecting autographs is simply a fun hobbyThey might enjoy going to signings and conventions to meet their favorite celebrities and get their autographsFor others, it’s more than just a hobby—it’s a passionThese collectors might spend hours researching different pieces of memorabilia and trying to track down rare or elusive items.
No matter what your level of interest is, there are definitely rewards to be had from collecting autographsIt can be a great way to meet new people and make friends who share your interests.
It can also be very rewarding financially if you’re able to find rare or valuable itemsAnd even if you’re not interested in the monetary value of an item, simply owning something that has been touched by someone famous can be its own kind of reward.
Finding The Best Pieces of Autographed Memorabilia
There is some sort of a thrill associated with collecting autographed memorabilia that is undeniableIt could be the feeling of owning a piece of history, the potential windfall if you stumble upon a rare item, or just the satisfaction of completing your collection.
Whatever the reason, collecting autographs can be a very rewarding experience—just as long as you’re careful to avoid counterfeitsThat being said, have fun collecting some pieces of history from your favorite notable figures throughout history!