Here's a toughie, regarding Jeff Perren's autograph.

He co-wrote two TSR/Guidon products:

Cavaliers and Roundheads (1st product released by Tactical Studies Rules)
Chainmail (Guidon 1st/2nd, TSR 3rd+)

Note that in DB5, the "LGTSA Miniatures Rules" were by "Perren & Gygax"; the order was reversed only after Gary did considerable rewriting/editing/reorganizing, the whole appearing as "Chainmail". He was thus arguably a seminal figure, 'godfather' of D&D itself.

Jeff Perren passed away about 5-6 years ago. (Still trying to pin down the exact date.)


The problem with evaluating the value of his autograph is threefold:

1. Perren was unappreciated in his time, and very few asked him for autographs
2. After 1990, Perren did not attend many Events (conventions etc), for health and personal reasons
3. Many collectors consider a product with any marks (including autographs) to be Defaced


Disregarding the last point as being specific to condition-hunters, the central problem in valuation is that the autograph is extraordinarily rare, and literally no precedent sales can be found in any records.

I have seen 4 Jeff Perren autographs in 40 years. None were for sale.


So:

Anybody got ANY data of ANY kind on this valuation?

If not... anybody got a guess?

F

FoulFoot wrote:Is it an autograph by itself -- like on a piece of paper -- or is it on a D&D item that he authored, or didn't author?

Heya boss! ;>

This is a hypothetical discussion, but I'd think the autograph most likely either on a game item he owned (he owned a lot of vintage wargames), or on something he wrote.

But not considering a scrap of a phonebook, in the margin. ;>

Ones I've seen are on products he wrote, fwiw.

F

I agree with the previous assessment of an increase. Maybe not 50%, but I would think a reasonable amount like 25 to 35% with an exponential increase as decades pass on. The rarity is definitely more desirable than a Gygax or similar author\game-designer who was a prolific name signer. Again only one my opinion. Personal messages are undesirable unless written to another recognizable famous or "infamous" person.

Was Perrenland in the World of Greyhawk named after him?  

Deadlord wrote in Jeff Perren:I think it would really depend on the market at the time, more so than usual. You'd have to find someone who either wanted the autograph, which is pretty rare, or someone who needed the item and didn't care about an autograph, also rare. Personally I'd not bid more for an autographed item, but I am probably the exception. I never cared much for autographs; just a scribble of ink.

i am the same.
Al

VictoriaPerren wrote in Jeff Perren:Hope this helps anyone out there.
If you have anymore questions feel free to contact me at [email protected]
I am Jeff's only surviving child and if you were to do a google search on his name you would find my brother and sisters obits along with me mentioned with my married name of Cserep.

Victoria, thank you so much for responding on these forums and providing this important information.  This information does help and is the kind of stuff we love to know.  We hope your dad's health continues to improve so he can enjoy life in whatever form he wishes.

I have a question; has he written or painted anything within the past ten years that he's published or would like to publish?  I would not be surprised if there are some people on these forums who could make that happen, not that I am promising anything.  I am guessing that most people on these forums would be interested in seeing what he's been up to, especially if it is war gaming related.

Thank you again for sharing this great news.  We wish you and your dad all the best.  

Hiya Victoria! Apologies; I missed the nature of this update, earlier...

Ah; that's rare good news, thank you!

Many thanks for taking the time to drop in and correct matters and please pass on thanks for invaluable services rendered!
In this day and age there shouldn't be an excuse for the old history book trick of remembering only one or two names for a given context at the "expense" of all the other people who put heart and soul into the work: goodness knows that Jeff was a lynchpin in this particular history right there at the start.