What started out as a hobby has turned into a full time business. That's probably the best way to start off an "about us". I have been collecting autographs for my own collection for as many years as I can remember but it has only been in the last eight years that I have turned my attention to the commercial aspects of it.

Unfortunately, in those eight years not only has autograph collecting itself become harder and harder but also the number of forged items has increased dramatically. Prices have also risen on a dramatic slope – this itself a reason for the forgers to jump in. Artists have become all too aware of the commercial value of their autographs through Internet dealings and on-line auctions. This makes them all the more reluctant to sign. Many of them have now set up their own websites to sell directly to the public. It has become harder for genuine fans to obtain autographs as everyone is now seen as a potential autograph dealer in the eyes of the artists.

The vast majority of the stock is obtained directly from IN-PERSON collectors who work directly for us. They have actually obtained the signatures themselves and then supplied us directly. Whenever possible , we supply exact details of where and when they were obtained and we always supply our lifetime certificate of authenticity. The rest come from other well established dealers who again must use in person collectors only...

I heard a recent story of a well-known non-signer who eventually signed for someone saying: "Everytime I sign one of these [10 X 8 photographs] the value of my signature comes down $20 on the Internet auctions".

How Do I Obtain My Autographs?

I Do ...

• Get autographs in person myself where possible.

• Buy directly / firsthand from in person autograph collectors who supply me with dates and places of signings.

• Buy from a very small number of autograph dealers who themselves have a network of in-person specialists that I can then tap into indirectly.

I Do Not ...

• Authenticate items.

• Give valuations.

• Buy autographs from any source that I cannot thoroughly check out , and get references from.

• Obtain any items by writing to artists.

I Sometimes Obtain ...

• Vintage or classic items from established sources. Vintage items need a lot of history and verification and is best left to specialist vintage dealers.

• Current Sporting memorabilia. This is another area that is best left to experts in a specialist field. Special Signings prides itself on modern and authentic and varied items whose origin is both recent and can be confirmed on such wide ranging subjects as rock & pop, TV & film, wrestling & sci-fi including Star Trek, Star Wars, Buffy, Angel & X-files.

Please feel free to email me sales@specialsignings.com with any questions about what I can or cannot supply, or go to the "Wants" section of the site to fill in your exact requirements.

Special Signings Limited is a UK registered company No. 4687641 & VAT No. 814 1142 74