How to Identify an Authentic Autograph
Want to know if an autograph is real? Learn how to recognize authentic signatures using expert comparisons, PSA/DNA certification, photomatch techniques, and warning signs.
In the world of memorabilia, an autograph can increase the value of an item by up to 300%—but only if it’s authentic. A genuine signature, obtained in person or through official channels, has major appeal for collectors. Yet signatures are also among the most counterfeited elements in the market, especially on sports jerseys, movie props, signed photos, and musical instruments.
According to Catawiki, more than 60% of the autographs found on the secondary market are either fake or unverifiable. That’s why learning how to recognize an authentic signature is a crucial skill for any serious collector.
Printed signatures have no collectible value
One of the most common traps is the printed signature. Many items come with what looks like a signed surface but are actually digital, laser, or autopen reproductions—automated devices that replicate a person’s handwriting. Unless clearly labeled as reproductions, these items hold no value in the collector market.
As MTM Memorabilia points out, even visually convincing signatures can be ruled fake once compared to verified archival examples.
Graphological comparison: every signature is unique
Like a fingerprint, every signature contains unique visual traits. Pressure, angle, stroke speed, and proportions between letters are nearly impossible to replicate perfectly. Professional authenticators perform graphological comparisons, analyzing the signature in question against dozens of known, verified samples
Top-tier services such as PSA/DNA, JSA (James Spence Authentication), and Beckett Authentication Services are internationally recognized. In addition to signature analysis, they provide certified, numbered COAs, often accompanied by tamper-proof slabs with traceable serial codes.
Context and documentation matter
A signature alone isn’t enough—it needs context. A jersey signed during an official press event, for instance, has more value than one signed in an undocumented setting. Some memorabilia are signed under notarial supervision, with photo or video proof of the moment, dramatically increasing their market value and trust.
When no documentation exists, third-party verification from a trusted authority is the only way to secure the item’s authenticity.
Where to verify and certify an autograph
Besides professional authentication services, major auction houses—Sotheby’s, Bonhams, Prop Store—only accept signatures with trusted certification. Serious collectors archive not just the COA, but photos, invoices, letters of provenance, and if available, footage of the signing moment.
Identifying an authentic autograph means shielding your collection from forgeries and inflated claims. It’s not just a skill—it’s a responsibility to preserve the story behind each piece. At Collecto, we only accept signatures certified by the world’s leading authorities, ensuring that every autograph is not only real but part of a documented, collectible narrative.
