Fraud in Autograph Collecting

Unfortunately, one of the common occurrences in autograph collecting is fraud. Countless collectors are fooled by fraudulent signatures, posing as rock stars, athletes, authors, even the founding fathers. Since the beginning of autograph collecting, con artists have been creating fraudulent pieces.

In the late 1700s, a young man by the name of William Henry Ireland made a fortune from creating fraudulent William Shakespeare signatures, deeds and letters. He even went as far as a falsified "lost play". During his rise to fame, Ireland sold countless "Shakespearian signatures".

The most important part to remember when collecting is to be sure the autograph is authenticated by an expert. Do not buy an autograph with out it being authenticated.

My other piece of advice is: "knowledge is power". Make yourself into an expert, know the product well. From the shape and form of the signature to the type of paper used. Just remember to be cautious, protect yourself with knowledge and check for authentication.

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