Definitive Guide
Chain of Custody
A signature without a story is a risk.
Provenance is the documented history of an item's ownership. In the world of high-end collectibles, strong provenance can double the value of an item; weak provenance makes it unsellable to serious buyers.
What Constitutes Good Provenance?
- Direct Origin: Letters or photos establishing the item came directly from the signee or their immediate family.
- Auction Records: Catalog entries from reputable auction houses (Sotheby's, Christie's) dating back decades.
- Photographic Proof: Photos of the exact item being signed (though beware of digital manipulation).
Learn more about Spotting Autopens and Ink Types.