The world'due south near valuable autographs – and how to spot a fake
Superior signatures
Got the odd celebrity autograph gathering dust in your loft? It could be worth a fortune. Read on equally we reveal the most valuable signatures in the world, from stars who are still with u.s.a., to those who take sadly passed away, according to Paul Fraser Collectibles' PFC40 Autograph Index. Let's beginning with those you can still get a signature from... All dollar values in US dollars.
Vladimir Putin: $275 (£200)
A signed photograph past Vladimir Putin, simply like the one from 2001 pictured here, is worth around $275 (£200). This is a fourteen% increase since 2018 when Putin'southward signature was worth $239 (£175).
Barack Obama: $480 (£350)
A signed photograph from the famously left-handed former President of the Usa is estimated to exist worth $480 (£350). But other items have sold for more. A handwritten letter of the alphabet that he wrote to Jennifer Cline, a skin cancer sufferer who had lost her job, was sold for $vii,000 (£5.4k) in 2010. Pencil sketches he drew on White House stationery that included self-portraits sold at auction for $xi,000 (£8k) in 2017.
Madonna: $649 (£475)
Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images
A signature from the Queen of Pop is currently on auction for $649 (£475). Other items were on sale for far more. Handwritten lyrics by the star were on auction for $10,000 ($7.5k), while a signed basque that may have been worn past the vocalizer was on sale for $ix,400 (£6.9k).
Donald Trump: $1,025 (£750)
Win McNamee / Getty Images
An autograph from one-time POTUS Donald Trump is worth effectually $i,025 (£750). This is a fifteen% increase from 2018, when a signature was worth $889 (£650).
Ringo Starr's signature may not seem like a rare matter to go agree of, simply the former Beatles drummer announced via video message in 2008 that he was going to stop signing memorabilia. Now, the 81-year-onetime's signature can fetch up to $ii,050 (£1.5k).
Prince Harry: $2,390 (£1,750)
Clodagh Kilcoyne - WPA Puddle / Getty Images
According to the latest figures, Prince Harry's signature is worth $2,390 (£ane,750). This is a 13% decrease from 2018, mayhap due to his shock difference from the British Majestic Family unit in 2020.
JK Rowling: $iii,760 (£2,750)
Toby Canham / Getty Images
Best selling Harry Potter writer JK Rowling is used to signing books, and a signed copy of one of her tomes could get you $iii,760 (£2,750). This is a 22% increase from 2018.
Paul McCartney: $4,035 (£ii,950)
Uriel Sinai / Getty Images
Worth considerably more than young man one-time band fellow member Ringo Starr, Sir Paul McCartney'southward signature is currently valued at $4,035 (£two,950), though the value has remained stagnant since 2018.
Prince William: $four,790 (£3.5k)
Sean Gallup / Getty Images
Despite the subtract in value of his brother's signature, the value of the future King's signature is on the rise. According to latest figures, a signature from Prince William is worth $four,790 (£3.5k). This is a 27% increase from 2018.
Queen Elizabeth II: $6,100 (£4.5k)
Chris Jackson - WPA Puddle/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth 2 has the most valuable signature of any other living person. A signed photo of the British monarch is worth $6,100 (£4.5k).
The real autograph money...
Courtesy Princess Diana Autographs
While getting the autograph of a living celebrity can be lucrative, the real coin is often to be institute in the autographs of those who have already passed away. Read on as we list the nigh valuable autographs of those no longer with us, and how to spot a fake...
Kurt Cobain: $4,000 (£3k)
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
An autograph from the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain has increased in value by 50% between 2018-2020, making information technology the biggest climber of whatsoever other signature.
Identifying a simulated Kurt Cobain autograph
Cobain would oftentimes misspell his ain name, probably for his own entertainment. A mutual variation is 'Kurdt Cobain'. This quirk by the late rock star means that identifying the real deal is a claiming. Due to the increase in value of an shorthand, the number of fakes for sale online will also increment. It'south always best to do business organisation with a reputable dealer. Pictured: An authentic Kurt Cobain autograph.
John Lennon: $10,800 (£7.9k)
Out of the original members of the Beatles, John Lennon's autograph is the most coveted, for obvious reasons. A signed photograph is valued at $ten,800 (£7.9k). In one case a smart investment, the value of an autograph has remained stagnant since 2018.
Identifying simulated John Lennon autographs
Courtesy Autograph Magazine
Unscrupulous dealers have no qualms selling fake John Lennon autographs to unsuspecting collectors, so it pays to swot up on the real deal. This fake would be obvious to a collector. The handwriting style is likewise athwart for John Lennon . His script was more 'curvy' and the flow is all wrong.
Winston Churchill: $10,800 (£seven.9k)
The wartime British prime minister was a prolific author and note-taker, and many examples of his highly desirable signature exist, from signed government documents to personal correspondence and informal notes. His signature is worth $10,800 (£vii.9k).
Look for handwritten letters or inscriptions rather than lonely signatures as these are more than tricky to fake. Again, only do business organization with reputable dealers. This signature was faked by a forger in Southampton, England, who was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment back in 2012 for the criminal offence.
Jimi Hendrix: $10,900 (£8k)
Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images
Autographs of rock or movie stars who died young, particularly members of the infamous 27 Club, control premium prices. Jimi Hendrix's is no exception. A signed photograph is valued at $10,900 (£8k) according to latest figures.
Identifying faux Jimi Hendrix autographs
Courtesy Shorthand Magazine
Jimi Hendrix autographs are some of the virtually faked, according to the latest PSA/Dna Autograph Written report, which lists the nearly 'dangerous', ie forged, celeb signatures. On first inspection, this dubious case may look genuine but the overly flamboyant capital 'J' and uncharacteristic flow actually testify it's bogus.
The Rolling Stones: $10,900 (£8k)
Autographs of legendary 60s bands are much sought-afterwards. Signed Rolling Stones memorabilia is particularly valuable. A signed photo from the original 1960s line-upwards worth is $x,900 (£8k) according to latest figures, a 15% increase from 2018.
Identifying fake Rolling Stones autographs
Bogus Rolling Stones autographs are all too common and, according to former bassist Bill Wyman, the band even used to forge each others' signatures when signing piles of records or photos for fans. To avert fakes, do your homework, familiarise yourself with the band members' signatures and only purchase from reputable dealers.
John F. Kennedy: $12,300 (£9k)
Courtesy Autograph Magazine
JFK's signature is extremely collectable and, while there are many examples in beingness, the vast majority of them are either autopenned or printed. The rarer autographs that are signed past manus attract the highest prices.
Identifying fake John F. Kennedy autographs
Courtesy Autograph Magazine
In addition to looking out for fakes, you'd desire to make certain you're not unknowingly snapping upward an autopenned or printed JFK autograph (pictured). Although they are valuable, the existent deal handwritten signatures are worth a lot more.
Neil Armstrong: $thirteen,600 (£10k)
Courtesy Fraser's Autographs
The first person to walk on the Moon reportedly signed thousands of photos, letters and cards during his lifetime, so while Neil Armstrong autographs aren't the rarest, collectors will pay top dollar for the all-time examples.
Identifying fake Neil Armstrong autographs
Neil Armstrong autographs are considered high risk and the internet is littered with fakes. This is a prime example. Experts and amateurs with a nifty eye will notice it lacks period and 'speed', and the pressure is besides uniform. All tell-tale signs of a forgery.
Diana, Princess of Wales: $13,600 (£10k)
Courtesy Princess Diana Autographs
Dubbed 'the pinnacle of majestic collectables', the average item autographed by Diana, Princess of Wales commands a toll tag now of around $13,600 (£10k).
Identifying imitation Diana, Princess of Wales autographs
Courtesy Princess Diana Autographs
Princess Diana had the sort of handwriting graphologists describe as 'curvy', a sign of a warm and affectionate nature apparently. A breathy forgery, this autograph is as well narrow and angular to be attributed to the tardily princess.
Albert Einstein: $14,300 (£x.5k)
Authentic documents or photos that have been signed past the virtually important scientist of the 20th century are perennially in need. The current value of a signed item is about $fourteen,300 (£ten.5k).
Identifying fake Albert Einstein autographs
Courtesy Autograph Magazine
Einstein signature proficient Gregory J. Mallon advises potential collectors to pay shut attention to: the 'heaviness' of the script equally Einstein had a light manus; the difficult capital 'E' – does information technology flow well; and the intermission between the 'i' and 'north' – accurate autographs tend to have a small-scale space between these letters.
Marilyn Monroe: $15,700 (£11.5k)
Some other icon who departed far also soon, Marilyn Monroe left backside a wealth of collectables, including many signed items. This 1956 signed photo of the blonde bombshell by order photographer Cecil Beaton sold for $25,265 (£xix.5k) in 2012.
Identifying false Marilyn Monroe autographs
Experts judge that but 24% of Marilyn Monroe autographs are genuine. There are and then many fakes around, even the experts take trouble sometimes distinguishing the real autographs from the fakes. Unless you're super-knowledgeable, simply source your autographs from well-regarded dealers.
Bruce Lee: $xvi,400 (£12k)
Courtesy Autograph Mag
The martial arts legend is a collectors' favourite and Bruce Lee memorabilia is large concern. Autographs penned by the Manner of the Dragon star attract high prices. Pictured is a good instance of a Bruce Lee shorthand.
Identifying fake Bruce Lee autographs
Courtesy Bruce Lee Autographs
Sadly, fake Bruce Lee autographs are 10-a-penny. Equally with most forgeries, they tend to be a lot more affordable than the genuine article. If something seems besides good to be true, it probably is. Another thing to scout out for is signed Way of the Dragon posters. Lee never signed any of these, and so if you e'er come up across i you lot'll know information technology's 100% fake.
James Dean: $24,600 (£18k)
James Dean's brooding proficient looks, acting chops and untimely expiry at 24 have fabricated him one of the foremost cultural icons of the 20th century. Needless to say, authentic examples of the 50s heartthrob's autograph, such as this inscribed photo, are worth a small fortune.
Identifying imitation James Dean autographs
Courtesy Autograph Magazine
Spotting a simulated can be challenging but it's worth noting that James Dean's signature pretty much stayed the same throughout his short adult life, and so use the authenticated autographs as a visual guide. This signed affiche features a rather blatant forgery. The slant is off and the 'J' and 'D' are as well small in relation to the other letters.
The Beatles: $40,000 (£29.5k)
An album page signed past the Beatles is valued at $25,000 (£xviii.5k), while a photograph signed by the legendary band comes with a staggering $40,000 (£29.5k) price tag.
Identifying faux Beatles autographs
Experts predict only 6% of Beatles autographs on the open market are accurate. If you lot're interested in snapping upwards a 18-carat instance of the Fab Four'southward signatures, study the authenticated versions and only purchase from a reputable dealer. Yous also desire to exist actress-cautious with signed album pages post-Sgt. Pepper'south Lonely Hearts Club Ring equally these tend to exist the most faked.
Steven Hawking: $41,000 (£30k)
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images
Every bit expected, Stephen Hawking's signature is rare and therefore extremely valuable. Due to his boxing with Lou Gehrig's disease, by the end of the 1970s Hawking could no longer write. In the later year of his life, he would occasionally sign books with his fingerprint dipped in ink.
Identifying fake Stephen Hawking autographs
Identifying a fake can exist challenging. The shaky nature of the A Brief History of Time writer's handwriting means autographs are inconsistent. Due to the rarity of a Hawking shorthand business concern should but be washed with reputable dealers. Pictured: A 18-carat thumbprint from Stephen Hawking.
Steve Jobs: $54,000 (£40k)
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Jobs has the nigh valuable autograph of any person, living or dead. A signature from the Apple founder is worth a small fortune at $54,000 (£40k).
Identifying a fake Steve Jobs autograph.
The real bargain is rare. The tech mogul wasn't a fan of signing autographs. His looping, whimsical script and habit of not capitalising his first and surname are primal things to await out for. Pictured: A 18-carat example of a Steve Jobs signature.
It's non just autographs that can be bogus, read: Fortune or false: masterpieces on trial
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