NAC

Collecting autographed books is an interesting and growing segment of the rare book market. Signed books have a special appeal to many collectors. Most signed books contain an inscription or dedication accompanied by the autograph of the author, or notable person associated with the subject matter. Naturally, the more significant the person and the more direct the association, the more desirable, and more valuable the item may be.

We receive approximately 20 telephone calls per month at our office, and usually one call each week to our radio program requesting information on signed books. Most callers are certain the signature they are describing is authentic. Almost always, they assume the book has great value.

Unfortunately, over 90% of those inquires are for books that contain a printed signature and not an original autograph. Although most of these books are older, out-of-print editions, they have little collectible value compared to those containing authentic signatures.

Signatures almost always appear on the flyleaves or endpapers. Generally speaking, the endpapers are those empty pages at the beginning and end of a bound edition. The endpapers that are not glued to the binding are often referred to as fly-leaves. Use these terms when describing books, it is the proper terminology and it makes your report even more professional.

The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant contains one of the most common examples of a printed signature. Grant wrote his memoirs as he was dying of cancer. He was destitute and hoped his memoirs would generate some form of revenue for his family.

The book was published in a two-volume set after his death, yet it contains his signature. The signature however, is printed. It reads: "These volumes are dedicated to the American Soldier and Sailor. / U. S. Grant / New York City / May 23rd, 1885." There are also numerous facsimile letters and correspondence bound into Volume II.

Clara Barton's book The Red Cross contains a facsimile signature of U.S. President William McKinley at the conclusion of a typeset introduction.

Almost any edition of the collected works of Mark Twain contains a facsimile inscription and signature at the beginning of the first volume.

Most engravings found in any biographical or historical reference will contain a facsimile signature below the engraving. Only in very rare exceptions will you find a genuine signature below any of these engravings.

Rub your finger gently over the image. You will feel a roughness to the engraving caused by the pressure of the incised steel plate. Steel plates were used for larger printing runs since they lasted longer than softer, copper plates. The signature will also feel raised. If you can sense the "feel of steel" it is most likely a facsimile signature.

Another clue is the date of publication. You don't need to be an historian or a forensic scientist to know that if the date of publication is after the date of death then the signature cannot be authentic. A bit of quick biographical research will provide the answer.

Don't let signatures and autographed books scare you away from providing your clients with your professional appraisal services. You'll do just fine if you remember the old adage "assume it's non-genuine until proven otherwise."

About the author:

Brian Kathenes, ISA S-CAPP, is the Managing Partner of National Appraisal Consultants, a firm specializing in appraisal consulting, theory and litigation support. He is a Specialist Certified Appraiser of Personal Property in Autographs, Manuscripts and Historical Documents, and is the Chairman of the ISA Ethics Committee. Brian is Co-host of "Trash or Treasure With Brian and Leon," a syndicated call-in talk show about antiques collectibles and memorabilia. He was an expert witness in Richard Nixon v. United States of America -- The Watergate Presidential Papers Trial

He can be reached at: Brian@nacvalue.com (908) 459-5996