70 years after they first topped the record sale charts in the UK, Beatles autographs for sale are the most in-demand and most valuable musician signatures.
Here we’ll introduce you to everything you need to know to buy Beatles autographs safely and without getting ripped off.
You’ll learn how to buy fascinating pieces that might well pay off as a long-term investment and legacy too.
An attractive photograph, good signatures, a message and a rare period for group signings..., they all add to the value of this lovely Beatles item.
How do you know Beatles autographs for sale are authentic?
While we always remind our readers that the vast majority of autograph and collectibles business is done by fine, upstanding enthusiasts and traders, you do need to know the basics of authentication.
It’s not tremendously difficult to produce something that looks like a Beatles autograph and list it somewhere online.
So be aware of who you are dealing with when you shop for beatles autographs online.
You should use long-standing and well-regarded dealers or auctioneers.
You should know where they are based and what protections you have as a buyer.
We guarantee everything we sell with a lifetime money-back guarantee and that’s a good standard.
Beware of anything too cheap, even (or especially) if the seller offers you a compelling reason why they are selling for a low price.
Later on, we’ll introduce you to some ways you can guage the quality and authenticity of individual items.
These early signatures are from 1963, and McCartney has added the name of a band that wasn't yet a household name.
Beatles autographs for sale: Two types of fakes
Faked Beatle autographs come in two broad categories that are both products of the band’s success.
Their long-lasting appeal and value, plus a dedicated fanbase makes it worth the while of fakers and fraudsters to create forgeries.
Their sudden bust into a new type of fame in the Beatlemania phase of their career meant demand for signatures massively outpaced demand. As a result, people around the band sent out large numbers of “faked” signatures.
You can argue these fakes were done with good intentions, designed not to disappoint an army of young fans who wanted to get close to their new heroes.
But these signatures are out there, and may be offered for sale, often innocently, and their existence is why Beatles autograph experts need to spot fanclub signatures.
Spot the odd one out? Stand-in drummer Jimmie Nicol signed with his temporary bandmates in 1964, making this an extremely rare item.
We know some signatures were “forged” by Neil Aspinall and Mal Evans, for example. Also by staff at the Beatles fan club, where workers became adept at turning out convincing fakes themselves and also used autopen.
“Autopen” signatures are mechanical recordings of a signature that can be used to reproduce a signature exactly.
They’re usually good quality and are hard to spot, the main giveaway being that they are identically sized in a way that real signatures cannot be.
Living documents
Is your signature now the same was when you were a kid?
Probably not.
This is especially true when someone is self-consciously aiming at stardom.
The Beatles signed “nicely”.
Their autographs looked good, and they were probably meant to.
And along the way they changed.
A great way to check the authenticity of your claimed Beatles autograph for sale is to check it for date.
Compare these 63-64 signatures to the 1965 version at the top of this page.
All autograph hunters need to have some specialist knowledge in historical documents.
So do a general check: is the document, paper, photograph, and ink historically consistent?
And then you should check the dated signatures against good example (which you can find easily online) of Beatles signatures. John and George, for example, redesigned their signatures in March 1963.
If you know your Beatles history you’ll immediately understand this timeline:
The Beatles were a busy touring band and relatively accessible until 1964.
Then Beatlemania necessitates them putting some distance between themselves and fans after that, so full, group signings are rarer.
They started to work separately from around 1966, and were not together very often after 1967.
Some “sets” are not signed concurrently, and collectors may pay less for those that have been assembled over a number of years.
Looking for extras
The Beatles signed a lot of pieces of paper and photographs.
Many fewer album covers though.
They signed things singly, in all possible combinations, and as a group.
The value of autographs will be somewhat dependent on the rarity of the item.
Also on its place in Beatles history.
And how many signatures it carries. How they present to the viewer.
And any message or dedication that comes with it.
The overall quality - visual and in terms of condition - of an item will also determine its value.
Beatles autographs, values and markets
When you look for Beatles autographs for sale you’re going to go online.
And you’re going to find a number of markets.
Collectibles like autographs are bought and sold in fairly pure markets.
That is, the rules of supply and demand do operate.
Items are often sold by auction, which is a very volatile way of selling.
And something is worth what can be got for it - no-one “needs” a Beatles autograph, it doesn’t have inherent value in that sense.
Any collectible has a resale value and a value to you.
And you should shop appropriately.
Why are you buying? Would you like to display this envelope in your home, or keep it for your family?
If you’re buying because you love the Beatles and owning their autographs would bring you pleasure then shop with that in mind.
Decide how much you’d like to spend, and can spend, and go for it!
If you’re buying with an eye to future prices you’ll be looking for good value pieces.
My view is that both forms of buying operate in the same way.
Everything that makes a Beatles autograph attractive to a fan also makes it attractive to an investor (whose prime market for resale will be fans).
Assess value against:
Rarity.
Condition.
Significance.
Aesthetic appeal.
Buying Beatles autographs today
Here are your quick takeaways from this guide:
Make sure you’re buying something authentic. Shopping with recognised, established dealers is the best way to do this. Look for certification (from a good source) and guarantees to back this up. Make sure you’re happy with the provenance and historical credibility of the item.
Pay a fair, realistic price based on the rarity, condition, significance, quality and visual appeal of the item.
Make the appropriate arrangements for safe shipping, storage and/or display of your Beatles autographs.
And enjoy them!
