Selling Autographs at Auction - By: David Thoreau

Selling autographs can be a daunting dilemma. Autograph sellers have a wide variety of choices that are likely to expand over the next few years. Whether to sell them on ebay, sell them directly to a dealer or another collector, or consign them to an auction house, or simply hold onto them until the right opportunity comes along are just some of the choices available to collectors who contemplate selling their autographs. Here are some key tips for selling autographs at auction.

Carefully review consignment terms for autograph auctions because they can vary tremendously. What is reasonable for one autograph auction house is anathema for another. Some autograph auction houses require that you indemnify them for any dispute regarding the purchase of an autograph sold at their auction. That means that you may be liable for any disgruntled buyer who decides years after the auction closes that their autograph was not authentic or not properly described by the auction house.

Consider negotiating terms of the consignment since the autograph business is highly competitive and auctioneers are eager for your business. The cost to the seller on ebay is usually considerably less than the 10-20 percent commissions charged by autograph auction houses. Auctioneers know that and are often willing to negotiate reasonable terms, especially when you have great material for consignment.

Most autograph auction houses are highly reputable and conduct fair business practices. However, some auction houses have onerous terms for consignment and violate even their own rules at auction. For example, some auction houses may sell consignments to a favored bidder rather than the highest bidder, with you as the seller never knowing what happened.

When consigning your treasured autographs, carefully consider the reputation of the auction business and their terms of consignment. Selling your autographs through reputable auction businesses will give you peace of mind and the highest potential for honest profits.

Selling autographs can be a daunting dilemma. Here are some key tips for selling autographs at auction.

Visit Famous-Celebrity-Autographs.com to view a large selection of stock autographs from famous celebrities. This website is a great resource for information about collecting autographs, buying and selling autographs, autograph auctions, autograph authentication, and much more.