To begin, it’s paramount that you purchase from reputable autograph dealers and auction houses. Focus on dealers who maintain the seal of approval from the trusted major Autograph Associations: UACC, Manuscript Society, PADA, AFTAL, and RACC. The offer of a lifetime guarantee of authenticity is always a good sign of the company’s trustworthiness and accountability.

You can feel good about dealers and auction houses who utilize third-party authenticators namely PSA/DNA Authentication, JSA Authentication, and Beckett/BAS Authentication, this way you can ensure that an unbiased eye has reviewed and approved the autograph in addition to the seller. This is very important to have an outside opinion, and will be extremely beneficial for you down the road if you ever decide to sell.

If you’re considering the purchase of an unverified piece on the fly and are looking for some additional advice, take advantage of the autograph authentication company’s “quick opinion” services. For $15 or so you can have a set of expert eyes review the item in question and assist in your decision. And the old adage “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is,” absolutely applies to the autograph industry. Though you may occasionally find a deal here and there, if the price is uncharacteristically low for a high-profile name, that should be an immediate red flag.

As an up-and-coming or established autograph collector, you’ll want to educate yourself as much as possible before you buy, and as you build your collection. Utilize your UACC Online membership to its fullest with online access to our extensive archives of signature studies, price guides, and autograph exemplars.