| Whether you are collecting for yourself or just | | | | not buying a preprint, a reprint, a secretarial |
| hoping to find a gift for someone special in your | | | | signature, a stamp or a product made with an |
| life, you are already aware that autographs can | | | | autopen. Autopen autographs are often put |
| be a great way to preserve wonderful memories | | | | forward as the real thing, especially by vendors |
| and own a small piece of living history. You | | | | who may not have done their research. To |
| probably also know that the autograph market is | | | | identify an autopen autograph, look for writing |
| full of fakes, and that if you don't want to be | | | | that seems to be shaky or have sudden stops in |
| taken in, that you do need to take precautions! | | | | it. A preprint autograph, on the other hand, is an |
| Nothing is more disappointing than realizing that | | | | autograph that is essentially part of the picture. |
| you've spent money on a false autograph, so | | | | The signature will appear to be under the gloss or |
| take a few steps to make sure that you don't | | | | finish of the paper or card. To see if an autograph |
| get cheated. | | | | is preprinted, hold the card up to the light and see |
| The first thing that you should look at is the | | | | if light reflects off of the signature the same way |
| seller's record. If you're buying off of eBay, | | | | that it does the rest of the surface. If the light is |
| remember to check their feedback. How long | | | | evenly reflected, this means that the signature |
| have they been in the business? Do they have a | | | | has been preprinted. |
| good reputation? Do a quick Google search on the | | | | One of the best things you can do when you are |
| vendor's name and see if you can find any | | | | hoping to collect an elusive autograph is to take a |
| information on them. | | | | look at real examples of the autograph of the |
| If the vendor is willing to offer you a Certificate | | | | person in question. While no one's signature |
| of Authenticity, this is a good thing, but these | | | | remains exactly the same from signing to signing, |
| themselves can be fakes. More importantly, find | | | | you'll find that there are probably enough |
| out if they are willing to offer you a refund if you | | | | similarities to help you weed out the worst of the |
| are not completely satisfied with the product. This | | | | fakes. |
| is an option that all reputable dealers will offer to | | | | Autograph collecting can be a wonderfully |
| you. Similarly, don't purchase an autograph without | | | | enjoyable hobby, and there are plenty of honest |
| at least seeing a close-up of the signature in | | | | vendors out there who will give you exactly what |
| question. | | | | you are looking for. Do be careful, however, and |
| To make sure that you don't trick yourself, read | | | | remember that a little bit of vigilance and care can |
| the description carefully. Make sure that you are | | | | go a long way! |