Your Thoughts: JustCollecting's 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Autographs of 2015

[Steve Cyrkin, Admin]

JustCollecting.com has released their index of the 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Autographs of 2015.

Compiled in conjuction with Paul Fraser Collectibles as part of their PFC40 Index, there are actually two lists: one with the most expensive autographs of living celebrities, and one with the most expensive autographs of celebs who have passed on.

Here they are:

The 10 most expensive "living" signatures (signed photos unless otherwise stated)

1. Fidel Castro: £3,950 ($6,100)
2. Paul McCartney: £2,500 ($3,870)
3. Prince William (album page): £2,500 ($3,870)
4. JK Rowling: £1,950 ($3,000)
5. Muhammad Ali: £1,950 ($3,000)
6. Ringo Starr: £1,250 ($1,960)
7. Madonna: £995 ($1,540)
8. Prince Harry (album page): £600 ($925)
9. Barack Obama: £350 ($540)
10. Pope Francis: £175 ($270)

The 10 most expensive "dead" autographs

1. James Dean: £18,000 ($27,840)
2. Bruce Lee (album page): £11,000 ($17,000)
3. Lord Nelson (handwritten letter): £10,500 ($16,240)
4. Princess Diana: £9,500 ($14,700)
5. Albert Einstein: £8,950 ($13,850)
6. Neil Armstrong: £8,500 ($13,150)
7. John F Kennedy: £7,950 ($12,300)
8. Winston Churchill: £7,500 ($11,600)
9. Marilyn Monroe (album page): £6,950 ($10,750)
10. John Lennon (album page): £6,950 ($10,750)

Other highlights

• Vladimir Putin has the best performing signature over the past 12 months – up 25% from £100 to £125 ($155 to 195), although Barack Obama's is worth more, £350 ($540).
• The best performing autograph since 2000 is Beatle George Harrison's – up 1823.1% from £195 ($300) in 2000 to £3,750 ($5,800) today. 
• Princess Diana signed photos are worth £9,500 ($14,700).
• Photos signed by all four Beatles are the most valuable item on the PFC40, at £28,000 ($43,300).
• The PFC40 has increased in value by 479.4%, or 12.4% per annum, since 2000.

According to Dan Wade, Head Writer at JustCollecting:

The PFC40 Autograph Index, compiled by JustCollecting, has tracked the values of 40 of the world’s most sought-after autographs since 2000. The prices given are an evaluation of the market value for a fully authenticated, best quality signed photo (unless otherwise stated), based on close monitoring of dealer and auction sales.

A “best quality” example features a photograph in superb condition, depicting the subject in their most famous era, with a sharp signature acquired during that period.

Read the full article, JustCollecting's PFC40 Autograph Index. It has interesting details I haven't covered here.

Do you agree with their index? Which ones would you add or remove from the list, if any? Do you think the values are in line?

Share your thoughts.

[terrier8HOF]

Bob Dylan belongs on that first list.

[Adam Halloran]

I would also say David Bowie and Prince

[Robin Banks]

How about Hendrix?

[Paul]

I think Castro is the big one, Beatles are highly sort after and Madonna but the prices seem to be on the high end. Everyone at some time has owned or sold a mccartney there's plenty available. Who want a royals autograph?
I also believe the market for group autographs are always and will be making huge amounts of money. On the same hand if punk bands could be authenticated properly and they weren't so widely forged they would be sitting high in the market. Like sex pistols.
Dead any historical figure lennon or president are always sought after.

[Nate]

I agree that Bob Dylan and Prince have, and will, easily smash the prices of some of those living people. I am also amazed to see the prices that some of these Royals are listed as (nearly £10k for Diana?!?).
However the basis for the list seems incredibly narrow and blinkered if I read it right "tracked the values of 40 of the worlds most sought-after autographs", so that might explain why it's missing many earlier people like Babe Ruth, Abe Lincoln, Charles Darwin etc etc, as top quality photos of these would have been big bucks. And if, as they have, included letters rather than photos, well that just opens a huge list up (I personally would like a royal pardon from Henry Viii please).

[Steve Zarelli]

While it creates a fun topic, the prices are so out of whack, I don't even know where to begin. In general, they are wildly inflated, with the exception of Pope Francis, which seems too low.

And clearly the deceased celebrities focuses on pop culture or recent figures.

[Fran]

Stephen Hawking.

[Martin Georgiev]

hello guy how from where it is possible to buy autograph from Vladimir Putin?

[Lee Miller]

Those prices are just ridiculous! 

[James Stone]

Yeah, JFK, a signed letter while President, maybe $3000.

So what is $12, 500? Is that the photo of Marilyn Monroe he signed?