Donald Trump is about to become the 47th President of the United States of America.

This is Trump’s second term in office.

And he’s only the second POTUS to serve non-concurrent terms.

There’s no denying that Trump is a major historical figure.

What does that mean for the value of his signature?

It will go up.

If you think back to the very first news of Trump’s candidacy you’ll probably recall it wasn’t taken very seriously.

Today, you will need to pay a couple of thousand dollars for a good-quality Trump signature on an interesting medium.

And much much more for documents or letters with particular resonance.

In time, it’s likely that Trump papers will enter the highest end of the collectible documents market.

If you’d have known this in 2016 you’d be sitting on a nicely valuable collection now.

Back in 2015, Time magazine ran a story that was intended to mock Trump’s presidential ambitions.

The headline?

“Donald Trump Sells Out of His Own Signature at $13 a Copy.”

That’s right, Trump was selling his own book and adding just $13 if he signed it.

I just found copies listed for about $1,500.

Trump likes to sign things, but his signature in the right setting is very valuable. You can see it here, in trademark Sharpie. 

But, who can forecast history?

No-one.

But you can try.

Or you can follow some good collecting rules that give you a good chance or reaping a reward whatever happens.

When will I be famous?

Predicting what autographs will be valuable in the long term is actually quite easy.

Who and what is popular now.

The way to find value is to do it before it happens.

I can easily now predict that there will be a market for Taylor Swift memorabilia for generations to come.

The way to make a return is to spot that this is going to happen when Swift is a teenager signed on a development deal to RCA records back before her 2006 debut album.

Beautiful and tragic, James Dean's death made a good, popular actor into a legend.

Now, I think this is a fun game for autograph hunters to play.

We know that lots of people trade autographs like stocks and shares. Buying, selling and swapping.

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t do the equivalent of spotting penny stocks.

I’m a football fan. And I’ve seen plenty of young players who I thought would be major stars.

And most of the time I was wrong.

Because that’s how it works.

Only a few make it.

(I still think Archie Grey will be one of them if you want my tip.)

We want the names of the very few exceptional talents.

And if they come with an engrossing life story, great looks, and some tragedy or scandal (though not a disqualifying scandal) that may add to the value.

If you’re collecting because you have an interest in football, or pop music, or even tech and innovation I would urge you to try playing the market in this way.

Whose app is going to make them a global superstar in a few years time?

Which songwriter is producing hits that we’ll be humming in 50 years time?

And, if you shop wisely you can make these buys at really good value prices.

This is a wonderful picture, click through to discover the amazing story that adds value to this autograph. 

A market like any other

Autographs operate in a marketplace.

In fact, the market in collectibles is a fairly pure one.

It’s very guided by supply and demand.

Our own index of autograph prices is very illuminating.

And it illuminates how difficult spotting these trends can be.

In 2021 had you heard of Volodymyr Zelensky?

I consider myself relatively well informed, but I couldn’t have brought up the name of the President of Ukraine at that date.

And as an autograph collector I wouldn’t have dreamed of thinking his signature would be the fastest growing name on our index from 2022 to 2023, going up 614% to £2,500.

Think of the events - and the enormous human tragedy - that has pushed that growth.

An invasion, Zelensky’s personal conduct…, I would say that’s very unpredictable.

His signature is also very rare in the west.

Perhaps more predictable is that Charles III would have gone up in value.

He became King.

British Royals don't give out their signatures very often, and when a prince becomes a king...

In a relatively predictable time frame.

As a royal his signature is very rare, and now it has an extra layer of official lustre on it.

And, he’s been on this pathway his whole life.

Paul McCartney has followed Ringo Starr in refusing signatures, and that helps push up the value of his signature. It’s now worth £4,500.

Long-term buys remain, in my view, fairly stable.

The most valuable autographs of deceased personalities are:

James Dean, Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Diana Princess of Wales, Steve Jobs…

Established names.

Would you have known that Albert Einstein (a major public figure of a sort, but in a very specialist field) or Steve Jobs, a man flogging an untested technology were going to be worth this much (£13,000 and £50,000 respectively) when they were alive?

Some things are more predictable.

Everyone in the collecting business knows that things go in cycles.

Kurt Cobain is extremely collectible now.

And, it’s a natural progression: fans of Nirvana are now getting to the age where they may have some disposable cash.

If you’re buying in order to sell again, you might want to scan your calendar for big anniversaries coming up (they always increase interest in a personality), or retrospectives like biopics, rereleases or the like.

Buying autographs for long term performance

Trading is fun.

But, my advice is most often to collect for yourself.

Be selfish.

And follow your own passions.

I think that’s most likely to produce a collection that has value.

Both as a personal legacy.

And financially.

Because, genuine enthusiasts always get the best stuff!

They're more likely to have the rapport with an artist or fellow collectors that means you get the special items. 

And, you should learn to be a good collector who:

Knows how to authenticate and find provenance.

Who knows how to find trustworthy buyers and sellers.

Knows how to safely store and preserve your autographs and all their paperwork for the future.

Knows how to look for good quality, clear signatures well placed on interesting or attractive media. 

Follow those simple rules and collecting autographs can pay off in more ways than one.

Perennial favourites in the autograph market, a great setting, interesting message and quality signatures make this photograph extra interesting to collectors. 

Buy rare and valuable historic autographs today

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