For many music memorabilia collectors, few things are more exciting than owning something signed by a favorite artist. A handwritten signature from a legendary musician can transform an ordinary album, photograph, guitar, or concert poster into a highly desirable piece of memorabilia. Editor's Note: By the way, you can see some great examples from our newest-arrived inventory at the bottom of this article.
Signed memorabilia gives a double shot of value to a collector. The item itself is a collectible, whether it be a guitar, a poster, an album, promo item or other memento, and an autograph from the artist is without doubt a valuable addition. In fact, autographed items are some of the most valuable of all music collectibles.
Signed Rush items with all three original members are always popular
But how do you ensure the item is really signed by the artist? With forged signatures becoming increasingly sophisticated, authenticity should be taken seriously—especially when significant money is involved. The answer comes by following a few important guidelines:
Know The Artist's Signature Yourself
As a first step, it is a smart move for a collectors to become familiar with the artist's authentic autograph. Look at multiple known examples or exemplars that have been properly authenticated rather than relying on a single comparison. In your research be sure to ignore autographs that have not been authenticated by a known, top-tier authenticator (see below for more on that).
Elton John's autograph (above and below) varies like most when signed in different situations, but always has similar characteristics
Pay attention to characteristics such as letter formation, spacing, size, slant, pen pressure, unusual flourishes, and the way the artist begins and ends their signature. Also consider the circumstances. An autograph quickly signed backstage may look very different from one produced during a formal signing session. In addition, it is worth noting that all people's autographs can evolve over time.
A signature that looks "too perfect" or strangely different from the artist's known examples deserves additional scrutiny.
Eddie Van Halen most often included "V.H." and the year signed with his autograph
Get Professional Authentication
For valuable autographs, professional authentication can provide an additional layer of confidence. Established third-party autograph authenticators examine the signature and, depending on the service, issue a Certificate or Letter of Authenticity (COA or LOA) and/or place an authentication label with a serial number on the item. Some even mark the item with invisible, synthetic DNA-laced ink tagging technology to tie it to the authentication of the item.
Example Letter of Authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)
Ask for a top tier authenticator's COA or LOA from BAS (Beckett Authentication Services), JSA (James Spence Authentication), PSA/DNA (Professional Sports Authenticator), or REAL (Roger Epperson Authentication Ltd.). Specialist authenticators include Frank Caiazzo (Beatles), Perry D. Cox (Beatles and Beach Boys), and Tracks Ltd. UK (Beatles and other rock). Editor's Note: We are neither affiliated in any way with any of the authenticators we list in this article, nor do we receive any compensation for referrals to them.
Are these authentication companies completely infallible? No, but they are the most reliable companies out there providing proof of autograph authenticity and are typically accepted as secure proof of authenticity by educated collectors.
Incidentally, note that there are hundreds of "authenticators," past and present, who provide no real authentication whatsoever. These are typically scam companies or individuals who are paid to authenticate fake items. A certificate from an unreputable authenticator does nothing to provide evidence that an autograph is genuine.
Provenance
"Provenance" is the documented history of an item—essentially, the story of where it came from and how it got from the artist to you. An autograph obtained directly from an artist at a documented signing, from a record company, management company, estate, charity event, or other credible source can be considerably more compelling than an item with no history whatsoever.
Of course it is not always possible for signed items to come with provenance, especially for older items or those that have been passed from collector to collector. However, the more of the chain of ownership that can be documented, the better.
Also, if you do get a provenance letter from the original owner of an item, it is best that it be notarized. That way you have a document with generally accepted real evidence that it came from the owner. This can be a valuable support document to be provided to a future buyer if you ever decide to sell the item.
Beware Of Tricks
Look for indicators that the forger is trying to make you believe their item is real. While some of these are a non-starter, not all items that exhibit these "tricks" are necessarily fake, but they do present red flags that tell you to take a closer look:
Look at the item, not just the signature(s): The object itself can provide important clues. Does the photograph, album, guitar, or poster make sense for the artist and time period? For example, Jimi Hendrix, who died in 1970 could not have signed a LP jacket that is a 1975 reissue of his 1968 album Electric Ladyland. Also, look at aging. Does it have appropriate wear tying it to the time period in which it was signed? Is there evidence that the item was artificially aged?
Type of pen used: The Sharpie® didn't exist in 1960. While at first glance this may seem only to relate to early Elvis autographs and the like, it's worth noting that, while permanent markers were first manufactured in 1964, they really weren't commonplace until the 80s. For example, every real John Bonham autograph we've ever seen is in ballpoint pen, showing his distinctive, narrow pen strokes. All early Beatles autographs were in ballpoint pen. Think about the date your favorite artist left us and think about the pen that they most likely used when signing an item.
Led Zeppelin's John Bonham signed with his distinctive narrow pen strokes
Multi-color pens: When each autograph of a band member appears in a different color pen, this can be a sign that the forger is trying to make it seem more believable. For example, that "tough to find" group members signed the item in different locations at different times. This is often seen on forged "signed by all the original members" items, for example, to try and reinforce the story that the signatures are real. This if often employed by forgers when a band has broken up or has documented disagreements among members, implying: "They would never be together to sign all at once."
Autopen autographs: An autopen is a machine programmed with a signature. Once programmed, the device is capable of reproducing the autograph with a motorized mechanical arm. There are indicators that an autograph was made via autopen, one being a lack of variation in the pen/pencil pressure seen in human-made signatures. However, autopens are getting more and more sophisticated, providing another reason to seek expert authentication. Case in point: A scandal erupted in 2022 when 900 copies of the Bob Dylan book The Philosophy of Modern Song were sold as a limited edition "hand signed" volume. In reality, 17 different versions of autopen-created Dylan autographs were actually used in the books. Thankfully, once this was discovered by autograph sleuths and experts, the book's publisher responded by issuing full refunds to all buyers.
Know the Seller
Finally, know who you are buying from. A reputable dealer with an established history in music memorabilia is almost always a safer choice than an anonymous seller on an online marketplace. Look for dealers who provide detailed descriptions, authentication documentation (as mentioned above), and a guarantee of authenticity. A seller's reputation matters.
Our lifetime authenticity guarantee here at MusicGoldmine.com provides our buyers with this type of security to ensure a worry-free purchase. But wherever you may buy your signed items from, be sure to assess their guarantee and all the other important factors.
When in Doubt, Walk Away
Perhaps the most important rule in autograph collecting is simple: If something doesn't feel right, don't buy it. A bargain is not a bargain if the signature is fake. Before spending serious money, take your time, compare examples, investigate the provenance, research the seller, and obtain professional opinions when appropriate.
Authentic music memorabilia is about owning a genuine piece of music history. Doing the homework before buying can help ensure that the signature—and the story behind it—is the real deal.
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Some Cool Stuff
Finally, check out some of our latest signed memorabilia, all of which checks all the boxes above. Click on any photo or title to view more photos, info, and price:
Boston Album Signed by Brad Delp, Tom Scholz +3 w/JSA LOA - RARE (framed)
Rush Vapor Trails Cover Art Signed by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart w/JSA LOA - RARE (framed) [SOLD]
Slash Signed Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators Poster (framed)
Shinedown Brent Smith, Zach Myers Signed PRS SE Series Guitar w/JSA LOA
Stone Temple Pilots Album Signed by Weiland, R. & D. DeLeo, Kretz w/JSA LOA - RARE (framed)
HELLYEAH Vinnie Paul +4 Signed Drumhead
ZZ Top Dusty Hill-Owned Calgary Stampeders Jersey signed by Doug Flutie - RARE
Alice In Chains Jerry Cantrell Signed Epiphone Acoustic Guitar w/JSA LOA
Audioslave Promo Poster Signed by Cornell, Morello, Commerford, Wilk w/JSA LOA - RARE (framed)
Lou Reed Signed Promo Photo w/BAS COA (framed)
Incubus Signed "Black Heart Inertia" Lyrics Poster (framed)
Fall Out Boy Signed 2006 Tour Poster (framed)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Paul O'Neill + 17 Signed TSO Signature Model LTD Guitar
Creed Signed 2002 Rolling Stone Cover Poster
Limp Bizkit Ltd Edition Tour Poster signed by full group (framed)
The Partridge Family Album RIAA Gold Album Award signed by Shirley Jones - RARE
The Mighty Lemon Drops record sleeve signed by group w/Epperson LOA
ALSO, check out more signed memorabilia in our inventory HERE.
Interested in genuine RIAA Gold and Platinum record awards? Check out our selection of 100s of artists and titles here.
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