HIGHLIGHTS

6.0% — Growth of the index in 2026

8.8% — Average annual growth of the index between 2000–2026 (791% over 26 years)

Up 25% — Growth of an Elon Musk signed photo in 2026 – the biggest rise in the past 12 months, tied with Oasis: Musk from £6,000 to £7,500, Oasis from £1,000 to £1,250

Up 7,900% — The rise in value of Taylor Swift's signature from 2005 (the year she signed her first record deal) to today – from £10 to £800

Investing in autographs: Paul Fraser Collectibles' PFC40 Autograph Index unveils best performers

The latest edition reveals a dead heat at the top: signed photos of tech billionaire Elon Musk and Britpop icons Oasis were the joint best performers in 2026, each up 25% in value – Musk from £6,000 to £7,500, and Oasis from £1,000 to £1,250.

• At £60,000, Steve Jobs remains the most valuable signer, a result of his reluctance to sign, early death and Apple's iconic status.
• Taylor Swift is the best performing autograph of the 21st century, up 3,073% per annum since 2000.
• Elon Musk is now the most valuable living signer at £7,500, ahead of Paul McCartney at £6,000.

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Elon Musk: His signature jumped again in 2026, from £6,000 to £7,500, matching the 25% rise achieved by Oasis and confirming his status as the most valuable living signer in the index. Despite being a polarising figure, Musk has a strong army of devotees pushing his signature to new heights. His achievements in the future will determine whether his autograph is worth significantly more in the years to come.

Music autographs on the rise: Music-related autographs continued to climb in 2026. Standout performances came from two acts on opposite ends of pop history: Oasis (up 25%) and Paul McCartney (up 20%). Oasis' comeback tour of 2025 was the catalyst for their price increase. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Queen all saw their autograph values rise again in 2026.

Positive numbers across the index: The index showed a solid 6.0% return in 2026. In times of political and financial uncertainty, autographs have traditionally been a safe haven for investors. Look for continued growth ahead, as investors keep turning to tangible assets such as autographs as a hedge against an unpredictable stock market.

Most valuable living signatures (signed photos unless otherwise stated)

Elon Musk: £7,500

Paul McCartney: £6,000

Prince William (signature): £5,500

JK Rowling (signed book): £3,500

King Charles III (Christmas card) / Donald Trump: £2,000 (tied)

Most valuable deceased autographs

Steve Jobs (signed magazine): £60,000

Stephen Hawking (signed book): £35,000

Pele (signed jersey): £26,000

Abraham Lincoln (signature): £25,000

Albert Einstein (handwritten letter): £15,000

Best performing autographs between 2000 and 2026

Taylor Swift: +3,073% per annum

Elon Musk: +2,881% per annum

Steve Jobs: +458% per annum

Kurt Cobain: +265% per annum

King Charles III / Donald Trump: +150% per annum (tied)

Best performing autographs in 2026

Elon Musk: +25%

Oasis: +25%

Paul McCartney: +20%

Muhammad Ali: +16.7%

Donald Trump: +14.3%

About the PFC40 Autograph Index

The PFC40 Autograph Index tracks the values of 40 of the world's most sought-after autographs since 2000. The prices given are an evaluation of the dealer price for a fully authenticated, best quality 8 x 10 inch signed photo (unless otherwise stated), based on close monitoring of dealer and auction sales.

A "best quality" example will feature a photograph in superb condition, depicting the subject in their most famous era, with a sharp, clear signature acquired during that period.