Albert Einstein and Marilyn Monroe autographs proved popular this year, while royal and political figures were also well represented.
Top autograph sale of 2013
 The letters were sent by Alexander II and Nicholas I to Duchess Olga Nikolaevna |
- A collection of letters sent by the imperial tsars of Russia in the 19th century sold for $832,950 at an auction in December - an 828.7% increase on estimate. The fascinating collection of 230 letters reveals state secrets and intimate details of court life. They are thought to have been bought by a Russian collector, as items relating to the nation's imperial history are increasingly sought after by the country's wealthy elite.
2013's important autograph sales
- A score by Franz Liszt achieved an impressive 4677.7% increase on estimate in March, selling for $45,526.
 Einstein's handprints were collected by handreader Marianne Raschig |
- A set of autographed handprints by Albert Einstein made a 266.6% increase on their estimate at a sale in June, hammering for $85,067.
- A series of letters written by Albert Einstein that relate to the development of his theory of relativity made $161,000 in November.
- A handwritten letter by Marilyn Monroe about her first husband Jimmy Dougherty sold for $56,500 in November.
- A collection of letters written by King George III on peace talks with the US sold for $130,000 in December.
It was a breakout year for…
 Examples of Prince William's signature have grown 33.3% in value in the past year |
- Prince William's autograph saw a major increase in value, up 33.3% in the past year. His popularity has grown in large part due to his high profile marriage to Kate Middleton and the birth of their son, Prince George.
It was a year to forget for…
- Lionel Messi's rise to superstardom in recent years has made his signature a popular choice for counterfeiters, who have flooded the market with fakes.
One you may have missed…
- The original manuscript for Joy Bells, a poem by Siegfried Sassoon, made a 250% increase on its estimate to take $8,382 on November 13, two days after the 95th anniversary of the end of the first world war.
