How to buy an autograph without being deceived
Seven keys to buying autographs and signed documents safely: price, provenance, certificate, handwritten signature, comparison and guarantees.
Contents
Buying an autograph is exciting, but the signature market is also a favourite of forgers: a signature is easier to imitate than a painting, and a certificate can be printed at home. This guide helps you buy with good judgement, whether from dealers or at auctions, fairs or second-hand platforms.
1. Be wary of a price that is too good
A genuine autograph of a highly sought-after figure rarely appears at a price far below the market. If the price is surprising, your first thought should not be "I've been lucky" but "there is something I don't know". Compare with recent sales of similar items at recognised auction houses.
2. Ask about provenance
How did the item reach the seller? A signature obtained in person, with a photograph of the moment, a family letter or an invoice from an auction house is worth far more than "a collector sold it to me". Provenance does not prove authenticity on its own, but its absence calls for caution.
3. Look closely at the certificate
A certificate is only worth as much as the person who signs it. Before paying, check that it:
- identifies its author, with name and contact details;
- describes and photographs that item, not a generic one;
- explains what was examined: the original or only photographs;
- has a number you can check with its issuer;
- includes security features that make it hard to copy.
If it is a VS Certificate, check it in the verifier. More tips in how to recognise a reliable certificate.
4. Check that the signature is handwritten
Many inscribed photographs, thank-you letters and official documents carry printed, stamped, secretarial or autopen signatures. They are not always ill-intentioned forgeries, but they are not autographs. Ask for close-up photos under side lighting: a handwritten signature usually shows variations in ink and pressure, while a printed one is flat and uniform. I explain it step by step in how to authenticate a signature.
5. Compare with authentic signatures from the same period
Signatures change over the years. Look for reliable examples close in date, not the first image you find online. Pay attention to proportions, slant, connections between letters and how the stroke begins and ends. A slow, shaky or retouched signature may betray an imitation.
6. When buying remotely, ask for guarantees
- The seller's own high-resolution photos of the front, the back and a close-up of the signature.
- The right to return the item if an independent expert does not confirm its authenticity.
- Payment by a method that protects you as a buyer.
7. Get an independent opinion before paying
If the item is expensive or you have doubts, a preliminary assessment from photos can save you a nasty surprise. I'll tell you whether the signature shows obvious problems and whether it is worth certifying. Remember that an assessment from photographs has a limited scope: a firm conclusion requires examination of the original.
PREFER TO BUY WITH CONFIDENCE?
At Autographs & Militaria you will find autographs and historical items that have already been examined and certified.
Quick checklist before buying
- Is the price consistent with the market?
- Is there documented provenance?
- Does the certificate identify the author, the item and the scope of the examination, and can it be verified?
- Is the signature handwritten, rather than printed, stamped or autopen?
- Does it match authentic signatures from the same period?
- Can you return it if an expert does not confirm its authenticity?
If you answer "no" or "I don't know" to any of them, get advice before paying.
Frequently asked questions
Is an autograph with a certificate always genuine?
Not necessarily: it depends on who signs the certificate and whether it can be verified. Always check the issuer.
What is an autopen signature?
A signature written by a machine that reproduces a template. It is common in official correspondence and is not an autograph.
Can you review an item before I buy it?
Yes. Send me the seller's photos and I'll give you a preliminary assessment for €25, which is deducted if you then certify the item, within the limited scope of an examination from photographs.
Thinking of buying an autograph?
Send me the photos before you pay and I'll give you a preliminary assessment for €25, which is deducted if you then certify it.
Juan García Nicolás · Graphologist and forensic handwriting examiner
Trained at Ipsigrap, he personally signs every VS Certificate. Service in English and Spanish. More about me