What You Need to Know About Autograph Collecting on eBay

Before you dive into buying autographs on eBay, it’s important to understand how tricky the marketplace can be. While millions of users are honest and trustworthy, there are plenty of pitfalls. This guide will help you navigate eBay autograph buying safely and smartly.

Why eBay Can Be a Hostile Place for Autograph Collectors

With millions of registered accounts worldwide, most eBay users are reputable. However, some can’t be trusted—especially in the autograph world.

Beware of Self-Proclaimed Experts

Some users claim to be autograph experts but often base their knowledge on limited experience or flawed collections mostly bought on eBay. These “experts” spend their time accusing sellers of forgery, often without solid proof, flooding auctions and bidders with misinformation.

Forgers Thrive on eBay’s Reach

Many sellers have realized they can create autographed items at home with a Sharpie, photos, index cards, and a printer-made Certificate of Authenticity (COA). Unsuspecting buyers often get fooled. Although eBay’s Trust and Safety team and third-party authenticators police listings, many forgeries slip through. We hope eBay tightens enforcement soon.

Demand for authentic memorabilia far exceeds supply. We scour eBay daily and find very little truly authentic material. Please be cautious and buy from trusted sources like World of Autographs.

Via-The-Mail Autograph Collectors

Some honest sellers collect autographs via mail requests. However, unless you live in autograph hot spots like New York, California, Nevada, or the UK, meeting celebrities in person is rare. Many stars no longer sign mail requests, or their assistants (secretaries, friends, family) sign instead, known as “secretarial” autographs.

Many sellers list mail-obtained autographs on eBay without research or comparison to known authentic examples. Over time, celebrity addresses become overwhelmed and stars stop replying or send “preprints” (copies).
An MLB pitcher once told me college kids renting his home signed autograph requests while he was away, and buyers had no idea. This kind of thing happens more often than you think.

Pre-Prints: What You Need to Know

Pre-prints are scanned copies of autographed photos (authentic or not) that sellers duplicate and sell on eBay. These copies can look very convincing, fooling many buyers. Sellers use vague or misleading language and odd categories to hide the truth. Prices can be surprisingly high, sometimes over $100 after a celebrity’s death. Always read auction descriptions carefully and check the item category.

For tips on spotting pre-prints, check out our How to Spot Pre-Prints article. While pre-prints may hold some value in limited cases, selling copies often violates copyright laws, though sites like eBay still allow these sales.

Third-Party Authentication: Pros and Cons

We use third-party authenticators but aren’t huge fans. Still, in today’s market, these services offer buyers some peace of mind, especially on platforms like eBay where uncertified forgeries abound. Certified autographs reduce risk for buyers and sellers alike.

We’ve had some eye-opening experiences with authenticators and have settled on a few companies with the most integrity. Beware of websites trying to discredit authenticators—always verify facts yourself.

eBay-Approved Autograph Authenticators

James Spence Authentication (JSA)
PSA/DNA
Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)
Sportscard Guaranty (SGC)
PROVA Group
Certified Authentication Services (CAS)

If an authenticator isn’t on this list, ask yourself why. Do your own research before trusting any company.

Banned eBay Authenticators and Sellers

ACE Authentic
authentigraphcoa.com
Coach's Corner Sports Auctions LLC
Christopher L. Morales
CSC Collectibles
Donald Frangipani
Forensic Document Services
Hollywood Dreams
InPerson Authentics
J. DiMaggio Co.
Legends Sports Memorabilia
Nathan's Autographs / N.E. Autographs
Nicholas Burczyk
Pro Sports Memorabilia
Rare and Signed.com
Robert Prouty
R.R.'s Sports Cards & Collectibles
SCAA / Front Page Art / Angelo Marino
Slamdunk Sportscards & Memorabilia
Sports Alley Memorabilia
Sports Management Group
Stan's Sports Memorabilia
TTA Authentic (formerly STAT Authentic)
Universal Memorabilia
USA Authentics

Registered Dealer Programs: UACC, RACC, PADA, and AFTAL

These organizations work hard to protect the hobby. They don’t guarantee 100% authenticity but vet dealers who meet high standards and respond to reports of forgeries. Buying from registered dealers significantly improves your odds of authentic purchases.

We were proud to be an AFTAL Registered Dealer (#AD123) (Unfortunately, due to greed, they closed the dealer portal and moved to selling autograph authentication services). Now, more than ever, you need to shop with trusted dealers like us!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re buying autographs on eBay or anywhere else—including from us—always do your research, ask questions, and follow these tips to increase your chances of buying authentic material.

Autograph collecting is fun and rewarding, but it’s also a serious business with real money at stake. If only we could all stroll through LA or NYC and get our favorite signatures in person! Since that’s not realistic, we’re here to help you get authentic autographs you can trust.

About World of Autographs

We sell authentic autographs and collectibles with your best interest in mind. Collectors who know authentic signatures buy from us because our items speak for themselves. Dealers worldwide also trust us. With over 24 years in this business, we plan to be here for many more.