How The Experts Value Signed Copies
Here’s what every book collector should know about signed copies. In most cases, a signature by the author will increase the value of the book. However, exactly how much value it adds depends on several factors. Let’s take a look at some of these different factors and how they impact the worth of your books.
It doesn’t take a collector to get excited books signed by the author. It’s one thing to know that the book was written by the author. It’s entirely something else to realize that the living, breathing author actually held the book in his or her hands. That’s one of the reasons that signed copies are usually worth at least a little more than an unsigned book. The emotional impact of touching what they touched means something to many of those who collect books.
However, exactly how much value a signature adds to the books value is determined by supply and demand. If the author of a work is popular and perhaps wasn’t in the habit of signing books, then their signature will add much more value to a copy of that work. This is simply because more people bidding to own a limited number of items will cause the price to increase. This illustrates the role that supply can play-limited supply means higher value. But demand can play a role as well. Some authors or books are more heavily collected than others. That tends to increase demand even when there may be a reasonable number available. In this way increased demand can raise book prices too.
Another factor that plays into the valuation of signed copies is whether the author is living or dead. The signatures of authors who have passed on command a higher price. Why is this? If he or she is dead, they won’t be signing any more books. Collectors realize that however many are available now is the maximum that will ever be available. This limit on the supply of signed copies will cause values to increase. On the other hand, if an author is still alive, there’s always the chance they will start signing more books. Because of this uncertainty, collectors may be less willing to pay a high premium for signed copies.
Of course, all of this supply and demand talk may be of little interest to you. You just like the “wow” factor of opening a book and showing friends and acquaintances that the author did indeed at some time in the past, hold the very same book you are holding. That’s reason enough to always be on the lookout for signed copies of the books you are collecting.
I have a first edition book titled “Mountain Interval” by Robert Frost. The author signed the book on the inside cover page. What value? Book is in very good shape.
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