Having never sought an autograph before, I find it hard to pinpoint any individual whose signature would compel me to wait in line or pay for. Meeting one of my idols would undoubtedly be exhilarating, but I question whether a mere signature is a fitting memento in this day and age.
The allure of celebrity signatures adorning cosmetics, music albums, and fragrance bottles has somewhat diminished for me. Even items marketed as ‘hand-signed’ now evoke skepticism.
Recent controversies emerged when fans alleged that BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Jennie utilized autopen technology to replicate signatures on CDs advertised as hand-signed. The distinction between “hand-signed” and “signed by artist” became a focal point, with the latter implying direct artist involvement. The lesson: scrutinize the details.
Celebrities themselves seem to be losing some of the enchantment associated with autographs. Many now exercise caution in what they sign and the tools they use for signing.
Actress Claire Foy, known for her role in The Crown, highlighted the advice given to celebrities against signing in blue ink. She famously declined a fan’s request for an autograph, stating, ‘I don’t do blue’, citing concerns about the ease of forgery associated with blue ink, although this assertion is commonly debated.
The increasing caution among celebrities stems partly from the resale market for celebrity autographs, where enthusiasts, known as ‘graphers’, persistently pursue signatures to profit from reselling. The demands on celebrities extend beyond conventional headshots to include risque and compromising images to inflate market values.
Understandably, celebrities reject signing such photos, although the sheer volume of requests can make it challenging to discern the content being signed amidst the chaos.
Some autograph seekers present blank sheets for celebrities to sign, intending to later superimpose desired images. Aware of this practice, actress Blake Lively declined a fan’s request to sign a transparent canvas, cautioning, “No clear ones, you know better”.
The commercial aspect of autographs is nothing new, but escalating meet-and-greet costs, celebrities’ hesitancy, and the prevalence of autopen signatures necessitate consumers to scrutinize the fine print, reducing some of the thrill and allure.
This isn’t to diminish the enduring value of autographs, but it poses a challenge for contemporary celebrities. Not long ago, a pair of Michael Jordan’s autographed game-worn shoes from 1985 fetched more than triple the estimated auction price.
The sale of Air Jordan 1 sneakers set a new world auction record for footwear, selling for $560,000, as reported by Sotheby’s, underscoring the continued demand for autographed celebrity memorabilia.
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