Ways to Tell Authentic Autographs Apart from Fakes
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Autograph collecting is a hobby that many people enjoy. Some people even make money collecting and selling celebrity autographs. The name for this hobby is philography, and if you know what you're doing you can certainly earn a profit. At the least, collecting autographs can give you a little piece of your favorite star. Many people treasure their celeb autographs and would never dream of selling them. Others are always on the lookout for an eager buyer. Regardless of what kind of collector you are, it's important to know how to tell authentic autographs from fake ones.
There are certain characteristics to different signatures that can help you spot a fake. There are various resources on the Web, as well as magazines and books, devoted to spotting fake signatures and authenticating real ones. However, it helps to recognize other characteristics of fake signatures because sometimes celebrities' handwriting will change over the years. One type of fake is called the secretarial. This means that an assistant or secretary has signed on behalf of the celebrity. This is a common practice for many fan clubs where lots of signed photos are sent out.
Then there are pre-prints. Pre-printed autographs are basically just copies of an original. Some pre-prints are more easily recognized as fakes than others. If you are unsure whether an autograph you're considering buying is authentic or pre-printed, have it authenticated by a professional. One of the trickiest types of autograph fakery involves the use of a machine called an autopen. An autopen basically uses a template to create the signature mechanically. One way to tell if an autograph has been signed with an autopen is by looking at the level of indentation.
Forgery is probably the biggest threat to collectors looking for authentic autographs. It's unfortunate but true that there are people out there who will forge a celebrity signature in the hopes of passing it off as an authentic. Forgeries can be deterred by requesting a certificate of authenticity from a legitimate third party company experienced in dealing with autographs. Use great care when purchasing autographs from online sites and auctions because these are some of the most common places you'll find autograph scams. It's probably better to obtain your autographs either straight from the celebrity, or buy them in person from a reputable dealer with a long history of authentic autograph sales.
Copyright 2007 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved
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