Regardless of how you view his time in office, Barack Obama’s autograph could be one of the best investments going.
US presidential autographs have always been hugely collectable.
After all, these are some of the most influential figures in world history.
And while politics today is increasingly fraught, those white hot emotions fade over time. Rest assured, collectors on both sides of the divide are going for the full set.
Here are three good reasons why collectors are likely to be paying top dollar for Obama's autograph decades from now.
Obama was America’s first black president
Who can forget that election night in 2008?
It was a spine tingling moment.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
The whole world was watching as the first African-American President of the United States stepped up to the podium.
His speech began: “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”
Obama occupies a unique place in US history.
For a nation that has evolved through the civil rights era, he represents the culmination of decades of blood, sweat and toil.
While America is still a long way from solving its issues around race, it was hard not to get swept up in the power of that moment.
He’s popular outside the US
If you’re from America, you may not realise quite how fascinated the rest of the world is with US politics.
We can’t get enough of it.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Developments in America are headline news on every continent. This is especially true in the era of 24 hour news. Over the past few years we’ve become increasingly at-home with concepts like electoral colleges, gerrymandering and midterms.
Obama’s popularity may have taken a nosedive in the US during his second term, but he remained hugely popular on the international stage.
In Europe in particular, he’s seen as a charismatic statesman in the mode of JFK or FDR. Given America’s size and influence, it makes sense that these outward looking presidents are preferred across the Atlantic.
This is great news for owners of Obama signatures, because it extends the market far beyond US borders. That’s not something you can say for every president and it’s already having an impact on prices.
The record at auction is $20,206, set for the whiteboard Obama used to make his picks for the 2012 NCAA basketball tournament on ESPN.
Letters signed in office are now selling for $7,000-11,000. These are promising numbers, especially as he only stepped down last year.
Quality autographs are rare
As with all presidents, demand is highest for autographs Obama signed in office.
Some presidents were happy to give out signatures to practically anyone who asked. But that wasn't the case with Obama.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
It certainly fits with one of the main complaints of his detractors: that he came across aloof and detached.
It’s impossible to say for sure just how many signatures are out there. But we've tracked very few sales of items associated with the former president.
This is excellent news for anyone looking to invest in his autograph. But it’s even better for anyone now looking to sell.
Paul Fraser.
Do you have a Barack Obama autograph? I can sell it for you. Email me at info@paulfrasercollectibles.com or call +44 (0)117 933 9500.
