Autograph Book Valuation?

[JaBek1]

It would probably behoove you to get as much information as possible about each autograph from your mother to establish provenance. Such as any little particulars about how she actually obtained the signature.

It might also be in your best interest to have the signatures authenticated. There are companies that specialize in authenticating signatures that are recognized as experts in such things. Their authentication can add much to the value when brought to auction.

Autographs are very highly prized by collectors.

[bluejypsy]

Thank you. I will do that when I can find them. I went up looking in the loft but was unable to find them this afternoon. I will have another go as soon as I can straighten my back again lol.

[deltadelta48]

It would probably behoove you to get as much information as possible about each autograph from your mother to establish provenance. Such as any little particulars about how she actually obtained the signature.

It might also be in your best interest to have the signatures authenticated. There are companies that specialize in authenticating signatures that are recognized as experts in such things. Their authentication can add much to the value when brought to auction.

Autographs are very highly prized by collectors.

Excellent advice, and as an auctioneer you know all of the details that we don't!

[deltadelta48]

Why would you need to label the pages? Just keep a separate list, page 1: bert, page 2: fred & joe etc.

Excellent idea, that list could go with the book to auction too. Use the Mom help and when do a search and add a bit about person too,. Would answer any questions viewers of book have, i.e. Joe Smith, Actor 1920 to 1980, etc. OP might find some real sleepers in there.

[bluejypsy]

Still unable to locate the books but have managed to obtain a list from Mom of the peeps she remembers are in it, so here goes
John Mills & Wife Mary Hayley Bell
Joan Greenwood
Winifred Atwell
Bernard Braden
Edmund Hockridge
Richard Attenbourgh (both on photograph & in a book)
Googie Withers
Max Bygraves
Joyce Grenfield
Donald Peers
Charles Hawtry
Dennis Price
Tony Hancock
Bill Owen
Richard Burton
Norman Wisdom (Photo)
Gordon Jackson.
Thank you to all for their advice I will take it on board. I just wanted to share with you the info I have obtained.

[deltadelta48]

Oh, that sounds like a wonderful book, even I, from US, recognize many of the names.

Hate to say it (maybe our resident auctioneer can comment) but when you get everything together, you might have to take it to a big auction house that specializes in autographs to get anywhere near its price. I doubt even feebay could do it justice. You might be talking thousands and thousands of dollars.

[grannyhouse]

HI

Sounds a nice collection, i'm an autograph dealer but only in modern items.

The Norman Wisdom signed photo will be worth around £30 (if it's not personalised). Norman no longer signs so it will only increase in value.

[bluejypsy]

Oh, that sounds like a wonderful book, even I, from US, recognize many of the names.

Hate to say it (maybe our resident auctioneer can comment) but when you get everything together, you might have to take it to a big auction house that specializes in autographs to get anywhere near its price. I doubt even feebay could do it justice. You might be talking thousands and thousands of dollars.

Really Delta? humm wondering where the nearest Auction house is now lol. I know where it is just too cold to go up there for too long looking. There are 2 books. I must find them while Mom is able to tell me who is in them, you know what people are like when they sign in a hurry it is not always easy to decipher. I will let you have a full list once I have the books back downstairs. Not sure about Norman, is it worth less if it is signed to the recipient?

[bluejypsy]

HI

Sounds a nice collection, i'm an autograph dealer but only in modern items.

The Norman Wisdom signed photo will be worth around £30 (if it's not personalised). Norman no longer signs so it will only increase in value.

Not sure about Norman, is it worth less if it is signed to the recipient?
Sorry Granny that was ment for you?

[JaBek1]

Looks like an impressive list. Unfortunately, I don't have the expertise to offer any opinion as to value. The best I can do is recommend that you research the signatures by consulting museums, galleries, auction houses and perhaps theatrical societies.

I might also suggest that you photograph your mom or even video record her with the autograph books explaining the details of when and how she collected them.

Good luck with your research.

Dennis