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Signatures

When you buy signed books, what do you look for?17797

Feel free to use my post as a checklist. multi007 private msg quote post Address this user
I recently picked up several signed books ungraded and unauthenticated (Neal Adams, Jim Shooter, Romita SR and JR). Nothing special about the books other than the signatures. (not keys or first appearances or anything like that). They would probably grade around 8.0s to 8.5s)

I plan to hold for about 5-10 years...

So I guess my question is - are most people interested in BOTH grade and authentication, or do they only care about grade, or only about authentication?

Curious to know what you all look for... Thanks!
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Collector Josh7945 private msg quote post Address this user
Yeah I think it depends on the book. I recently submitted a bunch of moderns with signatures on them. I went for no grade signature verification only. That’s all I really care about with these books. I would definitely submit a key book with signature for both grading and verification though.
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Feel free to use my post as a checklist. multi007 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh7945
Yeah I think it depends on the book. I recently submitted a bunch of moderns with signatures on them. I went for no grade signature verification only. That’s all I really care about with these books. I would definitely submit a key book with signature for both grading and verification though.


do they encapsulate no grade sig verification?
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Collector Josh7945 private msg quote post Address this user
Yeah. I just did encapsulate only then opted for signature verification.
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I haven't aired it out. It's part of the provenance. Galen130 private msg quote post Address this user
First thing I look for is sig placement. Was it signed over something you don't want hidden..i.e. title logo, etc.? Preferably it is signed in a 'blank' spot or somewhere that doesn't ruin the aesthetics of the cover.

Personally, I'm more concerned about authentication...if it's graded. The grade itself isn't as big of a factor. Again, my personal preferences.
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It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
I've got books where the value resides in the signature...not the book. I opted for VSP Slab only because it wasn't worth it (to me) to pay for grading. Below are some examples of my vsp slab-only books.

Signatures: Joe Simon and Alex Ross


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Feel free to use my post as a checklist. multi007 private msg quote post Address this user
"value resides in the signature".

"I just did encapsulate only then opted for signature verification."

Great - these answers really helped.

I think that's where im heading with my books, value resides in the sigs, not the books themselves.

Appreciate the help everyone!
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Collector Reelgee private msg quote post Address this user
wow this was a good ? So i would like to know, why not get the book graded? i mean wouldn't that help or boost the value?? what difference would it make? thanks just tryin to learn
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Collector Josh7945 private msg quote post Address this user
@GAC how long did it take you to get them back?
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It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
@Josh7945 I can't remember exactly but it wasn't fast. I'd say around 6 months or so. The books still went through the process except for grading. It definitely still took a while.
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Collector los2863 private msg quote post Address this user
@Reelgee I share the same questions. Just got back a few signed books from Megacon that i'm debating on sending in for sig verification and grading.
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Collector Josh7945 private msg quote post Address this user
@GAC thanks. Yeah, it’s been about 3 months for me. I wish there was a way to do it as a 2 day modern. That would’ve been nice.
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If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
@Reelgee I think it would just depend on the buyer. If someone just wants a signed book they might not care whether it's graded or not as long as the signature is authenticated. If it's graded and a 9.8, it would have that 9.8 appeal for some folks even if it isn't an important book. On the other hand, if it's graded and it's like a 5.5, that might turn some people off.
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It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
@Reelgee For me it was about ROI (return on investment) if you will. The books themselves are not valuable...even in high grade (which they are...9.8 candidates for sure). I got these books through Dynamic Forces 15 years ago when I first got back into collecting and was still learning. The raw signed books cost me between $5 and $15 when I bought them from DF.

The reason I didn't get them graded was purely financial. I definitely wanted the signatures verified...the cost of adding grading would have increased by $16 per book. I sent a total of 9 books (if I remember correctly) for slab only VSP. That translated to about $145US increase to get graded.....I'm in Canada so closer to $200CDN for books that really, only the signatures were important to me. This is why I didn't grade them.

If these books had even a little value...like $25+ each I probably would have had them graded.
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I'm good with splotches. Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
When it's for me and my personal collection for the long haul - could care less about grade. It's about who the signature is from. I look for the "legends" of the industry over an 80 year span. I actually have an estimated 1.0 - 2.0 Marvel Triple Action signed by Don Heck in CBCS right now. Worthless to everyone but me because... well... it's Don Heck. Not an easy signature to find.

When it's for selling - I always choose 9.8 candidates for signatures, because the masses put "9.8 syndrome" value over the value of the signature. Do I think it's loony? I do. But I really don't care anymore since what I like is not what the masses seem to like.
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It was a one trick pony show but always hilarious. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
@Nuffsaid111 Exactly! 🍻

and for my books, they're intended for my PC so the grades don't mean that much to me on these modern books.
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Collector Darkseid_of_town private msg quote post Address this user
I guess I see it as, depends how long you project they might carry on in this world.By that argumemt you can sort of compare the type of book you would have asked Stan Lee to sign vs what you ask Todd Mcfarline or Rob Lifeld...the latter two might well be around awhile so your choice has more forgiveness built in than a Stan lee would have. Once the person passes away, you can bet there is a market for all genera of things they might have signed. Just watch people fight over Robin WIlliams shopping lists, or Mrilymn Monroe diary pages and you sort of get the idea
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Feel free to use my post as a checklist. multi007 private msg quote post Address this user
For me - i think an average graded SIGNED book wont matter if its graded or not. As long as the signature is verified.

If its a great book (key, high value, high grade potential), then id get it graded AND authenticated.
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I don't want to brag, but cashiers are always checking me out. power_struggle55 private msg quote post Address this user
only time Ive bought a signed book was an after thought (noticed after buying). Found a copy of Thorion (from the marvel/dc amagram comics) signed by someone (cant remember who). dont even plan on getting it graded so need to worry about who signed it
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Collector Kinsella5 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by power_struggle55
only time Ive bought a signed book was an after thought (noticed after buying). Found a copy of Thorion (from the marvel/dc amagram comics) signed by someone (cant remember who). dont even plan on getting it graded so need to worry about who signed it


You should post a photo of your signed book, there are a lot of people on the forum who are good at identifying signatures so perhaps someone can determine who signed your book.
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Feel free to use my post as a checklist. multi007 private msg quote post Address this user
Hi everyone. Im resurrection this thread because...

Thank you all for your advice, i picked up a few signed books based on your suggestions.

Im very happy. picked them up on ebay. Most raw and one slabbed.

Here they are:

Got Avengers 252 (is a bit rough but i like the cover art and its signed), Captain American 283 and New Mutants 12 all signed by Jim Shooter. (paid $71 for all three with shipping).

Miracle Man #1 Neal Adams (paid $55.63 with shipping)

Spectacular Spider-Man #261 signed by John Romita Sr, and a SDCC Spiderman Thor poster signed by John Romita Sr and Jr (poster was $70 and book was $65) Sorry poster pic not posted as its in a tube. Here's the auction i bought it from to see the pic. https://www.ebay.com/itm/255416894399

Death Blow #6 signed Tim Sale paid $8.76

Mister Miracle #1 signed Jim Steranko paid $131.24

I think i did good. What are your thoughts??

















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I don't want to brag, but cashiers are always checking me out. power_struggle55 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinsella5
Quote:
Originally Posted by power_struggle55
only time Ive bought a signed book was an after thought (noticed after buying). Found a copy of Thorion (from the marvel/dc amagram comics) signed by someone (cant remember who). dont even plan on getting it graded so need to worry about who signed it


You should post a photo of your signed book, there are a lot of people on the forum who are good at identifying signatures so perhaps someone can determine who signed your book.


good idea. I have an idea where it is (went through every box and cataloged whats in what box...just need to go through said box)
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