Collecting autographs is a really fun and rewarding hobby but to keep it fun you need to take a few precautions. Unfortunately there are a lot of fraudsters out there looking to make some quick and easy money by ripping off genuine collectors. However, if you follow these simple tips and spend some time educating yourself before bidding then you can be successful when purchasing autographs online. Of course, you don’t want to part with your hard-earned cash just to be disappointed with a fake so make sure you are always on your guard and soon you will become wise to fraudsters!
Firstly you need to educate yourself about all things memorabilia related. When you are buying on eBay make sure that you read the auction description completely and be on the lookout for words like ‘preprint’, ‘reprint’ or ‘copy.’ These phrases are basically saying that the item is not authentic and there are many sellers of these illegal duplicates on eBay, so don’t be fooled!
Do your research before buying. Make sure you are familiar with autograph collecting websites for helpful hints and tips. Join collecting forums so you can ask professional collectors lots of questions and get some sound advice. You might want to buy a book or two on autograph collecting just to try and make sure that you don’t get caught out by fraudsters.
Most items of memorabilia will come with a Certificate of Authenticity but it is not as simple as to take this documentation as official. It is very easy to mock up a COA at home and many fraudsters do so to trick collectors into buying their products. Of course there are some exceptions to the rule but you need to learn to keep your wits about you. The credibility of the dealer is usually what makes the item legitimate or not therefore make sure you check through the history of the dealer and any comments that other collectors have written about the quality of the service on the seller feedback feature. If you have any questions then do not hesitate the get in contact with the seller as an honest seller will have nothing to hide and should be happy to answer any of your queries.
Beware of low prices autographs; always remember if an item seems too good to be true then it probably is! Also beware of items being sold in bulk for low prices as this may be a sign that a seller is looking to get rid of items quickly.
Once you feel you have protected yourself as much as possible you may decide to go ahead with the purchase. Once the item arrives you will want to analyse the autograph to make sure that it is not a preprint. You can do this with photographs by holding it at an angle to a bight light. An authentic ink signature will be on the top of the photo whilst a pre-printed autograph will reflect exactly the same as the photo and will look as though it is actually part of the photo.
You will need to think about the age of the autograph and what was used to draw the signature. For example, any autograph that dates back to before 1960 will be in pencil or pen.
Finally, if you are still unsure then use an authentication service. PSA/DNA will do this for you and will give you their opinion on the possible authenticity of the item for a small fee.
If you don’t want to have to worry about whether or not your memorabilia is authentic then try buying from Genuine Memorabilia. Unlike eBay where anyone can sign up to the site, post a few pictures and become an autograph seller Genuine Memorabilia only features 100% authentic pieces of memorabilia. That way you know you’ll never be disappointed! For more information click here!
Win a Babe Ruth PSA/DNA Autographed Ball! 2010 Baseball Super Box Promotion @ sbaycards
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1927 NY Yankees *Babe Ruth Lou Gehrig PSA/DNA Team Autograph Baseball $25,000.00 |
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MICHAEL JACKSON 30×40 SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED PSA DNA LITHO JAPAN ED. PO8685 $25,000.00 |
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MICHAEL JACKSON 30×40 SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED PSA DNA LITHO JAPAN ED. PO8686 $25,000.00 |
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MICHAEL JACKSON 30×40 SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED PSA DNA LITHO JAPAN ED. PO8687 $25,000.00 |
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BABE RUTH AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL PSA/DNA 8 SINGLE $23,395.50 |
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1/1+George Washington+Authentic Autograph Cut+PSA/DNA+ $19,999.00 |
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Paul McCartney & John Lennon Signed Autographed MACLEN MUSIC Check PSA/DNA $19,500.00 |
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Babe Ruth Single-Signed Autographed Baseball PSA/DNA & JSA $19,000.00 |
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Maurice Wilkins Autograph Manuscript Signed re DNA $18,000.00 |
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Maurice Wilkins Autograph Manuscript Signed re DNA $18,000.00 |
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Maurice Wilkins Autograph Manuscript Signed re DNA $18,000.00 |
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Maurice Wilkins Autograph Manuscript Signed re DNA $18,000.00 |
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Maurice Wilkins Autograph Manuscript Signed re DNA $18,000.00 |
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The Finest 1979 Topps #310 Thurman Munson Autographed Card PSA/DNA Authentic WOW $17,499.99 |
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Ted Williams Signed “Thumper” Baseball Autograph Ball PSA/DNA $15,999.00 |
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ABRAHAM LINCOLN SIGNED AUTOGRAPH LETTER PSA DNA 9 $14,995.00 |
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Babe Ruth & Hank Aaron Autographed Signed NL Baseball Graded 7 PSA/DNA #E54295 $14,950.00 |
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Babe Ruth Autographed Signed Official AL Baseball Graded 5 PSA/DNA #P01702 $12,950.00 |
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MICKEY MANTLE SIGNED 1951 BOWMAN ROOKIE CARD PSA/DNA GRADED 8, RARE AUTOGRAPHED $11,500.00 |
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CHRISTY MATHEWSON PSA/DNA AUTOGRAPH FROM LETTER, GRADED NEAR MINT, 1/1 SIGNED $11,000.00 |
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Babe Ruth Signed Letter PSA/DNA Auto Signature Certified Autographed $11,000.00 |
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Babe Ruth Autographed Signed College League 1934 Baseball PSA/DNA #I96530 $10,950.00 |
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Jack Ruby Autographed Check PSA/DNA Mint 9 $10,000.00 |
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Elvis Presley RARE SIGNED Autograph PHOTO PSA/DNA COA $9,999.99 |
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ROLLING STONES RECORD ALBUM COVER SIGNED AUTOGRAPH WHOLE BAND ORIGINAL PSA DNA $9,999.99 |
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JFK John F. Kennedy Letter PSA/DNA Auto Signature Certified Autographed RARE! $9,999.99 |
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BABE RUTH YANKEES SINGLE SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL PSA DNA $9,995.00 |
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ONE of KIND MICKEY MANTLE PSA/DNA AUTOGRAPH 1959 PSA 2 0 POP 0 EBAY $9,767.75 |
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Roger Maris & Mickey Mantle Autographed Signed AL Baseball PSA/DNA #J30779 $9,750.00 |
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Roberto Clemente PSA/DNA MINT 9 Autographed Signed Personal Check Authentic $9,500.00 |
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PSA DNA SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED MICHAEL JORDAN STAR AD ROOKIE CARD VERY RARE AUTO $9,500.00 |
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Mickey Mantle Autographed Signed 1952 Topps Rookie Card PSA/DNA #83023146 $8,975.00 |
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Norman Rockwell Autograph Letter PSA/DNA Mint 9 $8,500.00 |
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B.B. King Autographed Gibson Epi Lucille Guitar PSA/DNA UACC RD COA $8,098.65 |
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MEL OTT AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL PSA/DNA 5.5 $8,000.00 |
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Madonna Autograph RARE Signed Inducement Letter Evita PSA/DNA $7,950.00 |
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Michael Jackson Autograph Signed Fender Guitar Proof PSA DNA Authentic *STUNNING $7,700.00 |
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Jack Ruby Autographed Check PSA/DNA NM-MT 8 $7,500.00 |
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Kobe Bryant Autographed Worn Cast PSA/DNA certified $7,500.00 |
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LOU GEHRIG AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PSA/DNA GPC POSTCARD INDEX SLABBED CERTIFIED RARE $7,500.00 |
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BABE RUTH & MICKEY COCHRANE SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL BALL PSA/DNA $7,499.00 |
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Babe Ruth Autographed Signed Index Card Graded 10 PSA/DNA #83108614 $7,450.00 |
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Hank Aaron Autographed Signed Contract 1959 NL Braves PSA/DNA Auction Letter $7,450.00 |
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Franklin D. Roosevelt Autographed Letter Signed PSA/DNA -Great document $7,399.00 |
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Pre-1893 Lord Stanley Autograph/Signature PSA/DNA + JSA $7,000.00 |
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Roberto Clemente Signed Letter PSA/DNA Auto Signature Certified Autographed $7,000.00 |
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Babe Ruth Signed 8X10 Photograph Autograph Photo PSA/DNA NM-7 $6,999.00 |
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Babe Ruth Autographed Signed 3×5 Index Card Mint 9 PSA/DNA #82008989 $6,950.00 |
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Roberto Clemente Autographed Signed NL Feeney Baseball PSA/DNA #P01233 $6,950.00 |
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Babe Ruth Centennial FDC Signed Autographed PSA/DNA $6,900.00 |
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Babe Ruth Cobb & Speaker Autographed Signed 3×5 Index Card PSA/DNA #83176489 $6,750.00 |
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The Rolling Stones Autographed Guitar Signed by 5 w Jagger Richards etc PSA DNA $6,600.00 |
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Roberto Clemente PSA/DNA Autographed Signed Personal Check Authentic Certified $6,500.00 |
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Roberto Clemente Autographed Signed Twice Index Card Graded 10 PSA/DNA #81529092 $6,499.00 |
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Barry Bonds first autograph PSA/DNA SLABBED $6,399.99 |
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Kurt Cobain Nirvana Signed AUTOGRAPH Nevermind+PSA/DNA+ $5,999.99 |
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LOU GEHRIG AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED MAGAZINE PHOTO PSA/DNA NM-MT 8 NEW YORK YANKEES $5,999.99 |
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Mickey Mantle Roger Maris Signed Baseball Autograph Ball PSA/DNA $5,999.99 |
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Tiger Woods Signed Autographed Golf Ball GAI+PSA/DNA $5,999.00 |
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1936 NY Yankees Autographed Signed NL Baseball Gehrig DiMaggio PSA/DNA #J28735 $5,950.00 |
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Autographed Muhammad Ali PSA/DNA Boxing Trunks – Autographed Boxing Robes and Trunks $2,437.95 This is an autographed pair of Muhammad Ali Boxing Trunks. This comes with a PSA/DNA certificate of authenticity…. |
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Soul Patrol (Oakland Raiders) Signed Autographed 8×10 Photo (PSA/DNA COA) $169.00 This 8×10 Photo is Signed by all four members of the Soul Patrol on June 25; 2006 under the direct supervision of American Icon Autographs. This item was hand signed by Jack Tatum; Willie Brown; George Atkinson; and Skip Thomas and comes with an individually numbered; tamper evident sticker from the industries leading autograph authenticator PSA/DNA and comes with a lifetime guarantee. To ensure … |
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Michael Huff (Oakland Raiders) Signed Autographed 8×10 Photo (PSA/DNA COA) $52.00 This 8×10 photo has been personally hand signed by Michael Huff on March 2; 2008 under the direct supervision of American Icon Autographs. This item was hand signed by Michael Huff and comes with an individually numbered; tamper evident sticker from the industries leading autograph authenticator PSA/DNA and comes with a lifetime guarantee. To ensure authenticity; the hologram can be reviewed onlin… |
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Sadaharu Oh Autographed Ash Bat W/PROOF, Picture of Sadaharu Signing For Us, Team Japan, Yomiuri Giants, Japan Home Run King, PSA/DNA Authenticated This is a Sadaharu Oh signed full size Ash Rawlings Big Stick Bat. This bat was signed in a black sharpie. This item has been authenticated by PSA/DNA. This item will come with a Certificate of Authenticity (of our own design) as well as a picture of the athlete/celebrity if we have one. All of our items are obtained in person and are 100% authentic…. |
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Faith of My Fathers $2.50 This is a John McCain autographed Faith of My Fathers hardcover (with dust jacket) autobiography. John has signed the book in black sharpie for us. The book includes a PSA/DNA certificate of authenticity, with PSA/DNA authentication certification #H03927. These items have been certified authentic by PSA/DNA. The most reliable 3rd party autograph authenticator in america. The item will come with a … |
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The Invincible Iron Man #100 Signed PSA/DNA Autograph by STAN LEE $129.99 This issue was autographed autographed by STAN LEE with PSA/DNA certificate of authenticity. This certified item was autographed in the presence of a PSA/DNA representative and is guaranteed to be authentic by PSA/DNA Authentication Services. The item has been permanently marked with a proprietary invisible ink, containing a a patented strand of synthetic DNA…. |
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1974 Spider-Man Poster Signed PSA /DNA Autograph by Stan Lee $119.99 This listing is for a Hard-To-Find 1974 John Romita Jr. poster. This Spidey was drawn in its classic wall crawling pose. What makes this poster extremely special & 1-of-a-kind is the fact that it has been autographed by its creator, Stan Lee! You can see his autograph in the bottom right corner. This certified item was autographed in the presence of a PSA/DNA representative and is guaranteed to be… |
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Sara Jean Underwood (Playboy Playmate) Signed Autographed 8×10 Photo (PSA/DNA COA) $44.10 This item has been personally hand signed by Sara Jean Underwood on January 7, 2010 under the direct supervision of American Icon Autographs. This item comes with an individually numbered; tamper evident sticker from the industries leading autograph authenticator PSA/DNA and comes with a lifetime guarantee. To ensure authenticity, the hologram can be reviewed online. This process helps to ensure t… |
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Willie Nelson Autographed Acoustic Guitar $300.99 Take home one of music’s greatest legends with a ‘Willie Nelson’ autographed guitarAcoustic guitar is the perfect gift for any Willie Nelson fanMusical instrument has been examined and certified authentic by PSA/DNA |
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James Taylor Autographed Acoustic Guitar $264.99 Acoustic guitar is the perfect gift for any James Taylor fanMusical instrument has been examined and certified authentic by PSA/DNAGuitar has undergone a full thorough examination and was deemed hand-signed and authentic |
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Billy Ray Cyrus Autographed Electric Guitar $200.99 Electric guitar is the perfect gift for any Billy Ray Cyrus fanMusical instrument has been examined and certified authentic by PSA/DNAGuitar has undergone a full thorough examination and was deemed hand-signed and authentic |
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Miley Cyrus Autographed Acoustic Guitar $367.99 Acoustic guitar is the perfect gift for any Miley Cyrus fanMusical instrument has been examined and certified authentic by PSA/DNAGuitar has undergone a full thorough examination and was deemed hand-signed and authentic |