Selling your autographs

However, I am often asked by non-collectors how to sell autographs.  Sometimes autographs are acquired through inheritance or other ways.  In these cases I explain that I am not an expert in this, since I don't sell my autographs.  However, I have a general understanding of the market, and here are my observations.

There are three main ways to sell an autograph: to a dealer, to a collector, and at auction.

Special note:  it is very worthwhile in my opinion to deal only with members of the UACC, a professional organization of autograph collectors.  All members agree to abide by the UACC Code of Ethics, which is a gentleman's agreement to avoid problems with autograph transactions.  If members do not agree to the code they are expelled from the UACC.  Though this certainly does not prevent all fraud or problem transactions, it is better than having no agreement at all.

Autograph Dealer

The easiest way to sell an autograph is through an established dealer.  Go to my page of recommended dealers or to the UACC's list of Registered Dealers for a list of potential buyers.

Selling to a dealer is usually pretty easy--just fax or photocopy what you have and see if they're interested.  It's painless and quick.  However there is a huge downside.  As dealers have to make a living from their transactions, they typically give the least amount of money in exchange.  For a typical autograph you will receive only about 50% of the "catalog price."  That's a big cut, but remember that they have to make a living, and it's hard to do that by charging small commissions.

Also, be very, very careful.  Don't trust the dealer sight unseen.  Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if there are registered complaints against the dealer.  Make very specific arrangements regarding payment to avoid a scam.  You wouldn't send a large amount of cash through the mail to a stranger, so why send a valuable autograph?

Above all else, get a feel for how much the autograph is actually worth before approaching the sale by asking other collectors or by viewing similar items offered for sale in catalogs. Don't ask too much or too little.  Don't be afraid to negotiate for a better price, but don't be foolish in wasting a dealer's time.

Directly to a collector

This option usually nets the most money.  You can usually get very close to the full price of the autograph if the transaction is conducted properly.  However, it is risky to deal with complete strangers, and is also difficult to find a buyer for common autographs.  You can try alt.collecting.autographs or alt.autographs.transactions to see if there are any interested collectors.  Again, be very careful.  Remember that these transactions are conducted often with complete strangers.

Auctions

There are many auctions that sell autographic material, catering to every pocketbook.  Some high-end auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's sell very high-end merchandise, while others like R&R are more affordable to those of us who are yet to be a millionaire.

To sell autographs at auction, you will commission your item for sale and hope there is a buyer.  Be careful!  There are often many hidden charges involved, and you may be charged to place your item for sale, as well as the standard commission (usually 15% of the final realized price.)

There are other dangers about consigning items for auction.  First, the item may sell at a price much lower than you wanted!  Second, some auction houses are notorious for losing consignments, sending late payments, keeping poor records, and so forth.  Some smaller auction houses have gone out of business and never paid their consignors.  It pays to do careful research before trusting an auction company with your valuables.

Lately there has been a trend to sell autographs online through eBay.  From a seller's standpoint, this may make a lot of sense, as the seller can make the rules regarding the sale.  (I don't condone buying autographs through eBay however, as there are too many forgeries sold there.)

In general, I would say that high-end auctions are a good way to sell very expensive items.  Lower-end auctions can be good too, but it's important to be careful and to research the auction house carefully.