Autographs on Ebay

This is not to offend anyone who has ever bought an autograph off of ebay..or whoever sells autos on ebay..but...


Whhhhyyyy. Don't get me wrong, I'm one of those people who love autographs..but I don't see the point in BUYING one because you still haven't actually MET the person. Also, the actors don't HAVE to sign so when they do it would be for their fans. Don't you think it's a bit..obnixious I guess to wait with a huge group of people and basically waste their time by making a profit after?

It's always something that's..perlexed me.

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LOL! But yeah..that's basically my point.

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I agree with you to a point. But consider this... Sometimes it's as close to a celebrity as that person is going to get.

Also... just because you personally have an autograph isn't automatically proof that you've met them in person.

The biggest concern I would have if I were collecting that way would be authenticity. If you buy it from eBay or another third party source, there is no guarantee that it's authentic. FYI, those "certificates of authenticity" don't hold any water with appraisers or experts.

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I think it depends on the situation and the intent behind collecting the autograph personally.

I have bought autographs on eBay before when it's the entire cast signed window card or playbill cover or if it's a performer that I really like that has passed away (Jerry Orbach, Ethel Merman, etc)

Your opinion makes perfect sense, but I can also see the other side of it. I don't see it as being particularly obnoxious at all.

As has been pointed out, there are millions of people who don't live in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles and this might be their biggest brush with some of their favorite stars.

As for the question of authenticity, I very rarely buy anything that doesn't have photos of the person signing. Not that proves they signed that playbill either, but it's a start. Although, you could argue that for the common fan that if they believe it's an autograph from their favorite stars than the feeling they get from having it is worth something. I wouldn't argue that, but you could. :)

In general there is a market for anything. Especially on eBay.

Updated On: 10/16/05 at 10:58 AM

Well actually Patronus...you're right I would buy Jerry Orbach's autograph....

Well I understnad why people might but I don't really...I'm not sure the word for it..appreciate? I guess people who sell online because chances are they beat a real fan to the signature...if only to sell. But I can understand why people would buy, I take that back.

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Don't worry, Sally. I think it's a really good question, actually.

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