I can only speak for myself, but I don't particularly care for autographs.

My experience suggests you may get a small amount more for the item, but not much.

As previously mentioned, some folks won't bid....but others may bid more than normal for the autograph.  Unique items like the Jiardini signed 1st PHB sold clearly are exceptions.  I seem to recall an OCE that was signed that went for a bit more than average recently too.

I guess that the autograph market is quite DIFFERENT from the old RPG one. Well, sometimes they mix - as in your case - and some (like myself) would be tempted to buy something signed by a well-known author out of curiosity - or compulsive shopping disorder  :D
As usually, the value of an autographed item - or better, any item - is as high as the buyer is expected to shell out  :wink: and of how much he needs it.

Depends. The autographed Tamoachan that I sold to one of the nicest collectors on the board is definitely worth more to the majority of people, I am sure. Tough to get 2 authors to sign an item.
As long as the item comes from a reputable source, I have never questioned authenticity of signatures. I just don't have any personal interest. If I had the opportunity to have Gygax autograph my 1st print woody, I'd probably do it. I would, however, ask for a generic signature, without my name in it. Personalized autographs ruin the value, except to the owner.

grodog wrote:

Deadlord36 wrote:Depends. The autographed Tamoachan that I sold to one of the nicest collectors on the board is definitely worth more to the majority of people, I am sure. Tough to get 2 authors to sign an item.

Too true. Rarity of the autograph is also a big factor: sad to say, but I'm sure that all of the autographed items from DCSIII just went up in value, since you can't just dig him up for a copy anymore

I would, however, ask for a generic signature, without my name in it. Personalized autographs ruin the value, except to the owner.

Just to play devil's advocate, the PHB that was inscribed to Steve Marsh by Gary ("first one ever sold" or whatever the exact inscription was) is much more valuable because of that non-genericness. My DMG autographed by EGG at Origins '90 is certainly not in the same league, so Frank's point is certainly valid in general, I just think that some items have their value increased markely based on the autographs/inscriptions within them. (Another example: the copy of Andre Norton's Quag Keep that was sold not that long ago).

    Also, Gary's autograph...well, it's not that great looking.  :D I have a few EGG autographed items (some modules, OCE set and Gord novels) and every autograph looks like it could be duplicated extremely easily...EGG's signature just isn't really that distinctive. I would say the value is subjective in that there may that ONE collector out there that really, really would pay more for an autograph, but most might not care.  
    I think the old adage that "autographs bring down the value because you are writing on the item" is subjective also.  I'll always remember a copy of Fantastic Four #1 that came up for auction at a large comic book convention I went to about 15 years ago.  It was in average shape but had been signed by both Stan Lee AND Jack Kirby. Some pundits in the audience were scoffing before the auction began that because of the signature the book should be worth LESS than even a poor copy, because signatures are a form of writing and in theory the book had been written on. Of course, the copy went for one of the highest prices ever paid for a FF #1 in ANY condition (up until then), proving that if at least two people want an item really badly enough it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks!  :D

Mike B.

I had EGG sign a copy of The Temple of Elemental Evil.  I'm sure that'll lower the value of it somewhat (it was a personalized inscription), but that particular module means a lot to me and it won't be sold.

Heh.  I also have a copy of FASA's Star Trek RPG that was autographed by James Doohan.  That's another one that won't be sold.  :)

-Thornhammer