Tomorrow Never Knows: Dealing with that great gig in the sky

By Adam Halloran

Apr 25, 2018

I know that many of us have had to deal with the loss of one of our heroes. While we may not have had a chance to know them on a personal level, be it whether they were a famous actor or musician...Somehow they've moved us with their art or their life's adventure.

The past few years especially have been rough with each day we all get a little older and slower, unfortunately time doesn't stop for any of us, and more will sadly leave us in the years to come. The unpredictability of both life and death is what makes it extremely difficult when trying to collect all of your idols autographs.

Tommorrow Never Knows as The Beatles put it best.

We all obviously have our own budgets and restrictions when it comes to this hobby (mainly the wife and kids) so spending a few hundred a year on all of the autographs we want might not be in the cards, also sadly we don't all get the opportunities to meet everyone we love either.

We are lucky however that there are those out there obtaining these autographs and more importantly with it, leaving a chance to own a piece that they've touched. There are however a few things to try and remember before going all in with a major purchase right after they've gone up to that great gig in the sky.

When a celebrity passes you tend to see people quickly wanting to cling to a piece of that artist, an autograph is easily the most symbolic piece left behind from that person, having that unique pressure from their pen sliding across the page and the ink still living on behind. A remnant of their existence left on paper.

With the sudden peak in interest, the prices will tend to rise because of the rekindled memories associated with that person once again becoming fresh in EVERYONES mind (especially when that someone passes suddenly). These prices usually resettle back down to earth overtime if you're lucky, especially if the artist signed a bunch through out the years.

With there being so many options out in the market to decide from popping up, that will usually also dictate what you are likely to spend: Supply and demand.

The best thing to do is let the emotions settle in a bit and take a breathe! ...Now take that time and do a lot of research first before you jump the gun too fast. Study that persons graph and keep looking till you find one you know for certain is legitimately trusted source.

Also remember the quality of the autograph DOES matter. Many people change their style of signature through out the years. Early on they may have gave more attention to detail. The more and more they signed a few letters here or there might have dropped off from their name and it gets harder and harder to read between the squiggles.

While you might save a little money on a rushed example, it probably won't hold the same value overtime as the fuller signatures. If you are paying for something anyways, buy something you will be happy with! You may have to save a bit more, but it will be worth it later.

You don't want to second guess your purchase later on, so do it right the first time. The death of a celebrity is prime time for forgers too. They will try and empty your pockets if you aren't prepared to do the work, so save yourself the headaches later and keep a cool head.

Try and keep in mind that this is a business too. From those who sell, to those who collect, to those who try to authenticate the good from the bad.

That doesn't mean a dealer is the enemy just because they are selling you an autograph. They may have just provided you or someone else with something you will cherish forever.

Now all you have to figure out what will happen with your collection when you...Go.

Adam Halloran

RACC Administrator

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