I dont go to cons as much these days, and the few I have been to have happened to be anime cons. In fact look on ebay most autographs without PSA documentation arent really worth that much. Nearly three decades ago. Use the My Signature tool to create your unique signature. Total cost for the event is now at $13,000 (a 30% increase) not even including rent and the cost of the items (helmet, jerseys, etc). The autograph is free, as a way of saying, I appreciate you enjoying my work. And the tip jar is a great way to then say, Thanks for the autograph, and know that your work is, indeed, appreciated!. While I had more stuff that I wanted signed, I thought that was fair as well. One more thing that can add value to your autographed baseball are inscriptions such as when a player adds his MVP year or when he won the World Series MVP. Go figure. I remember my first Dragon*Con where I brought a copy of X-Factor for you to sign and was floored you signed it for free. Many of them have their publicists send the items back with a note stating they do not have the time to sign autographs or they charge a fee. People tend to justify their reasons, but thats a matter of personal preference. Marketing ends up costing $2,000. Even the local Buffalo newsgave a mention on how autographs could take a good chunk of change out of your paycheck at that event and how first timers could be in for some sticker shock as it wont likely be expected. If youve never been to a comic convention, or anywhere with some kind of celebrity appearance, then you may not know the outlandish cost of celebrity autographs. It never occurred to me that theyd charge for them, and on reflection I suspect it never would have occurred to them. Just like Taylor Swift, it is free to meet Harry Styles. Reason being is a ball with TO JOHN on it is hard to sell to someone named Matt! As of 2022, the going rate for Michael J. Foxs autograph is $245. Thanks @Bose ! For a number of them, this is a source of income. If Tom Hiddleston fans bought an autograph from his most recent signing through the comic book grading company CGC, they would have paid $345. Why is France the most visited country in Europe? Always check the specific conventions website for how they conduct their autograph sales. Sometimes you can tell that the forger traced an autograph. Reunited and it feels so good. If you saw Sylvester Stallone at New York Comic-Con in 2013 then there's a good chance you paid close to $1,000. I would gladly tip you just for the laugh you gave me that day. Through various partners, ACE Comic Con is offering a variety of prices for fans to choose from in order to get in on the unique opportunity. The athlete can maintain the value of their per-signature by signing their full name for a price. One of the first ways to go about looking for your favorite celebrities' addresses is by searching public records. Large format items like posters start at $440 while add-ons like character name or an inscription will each cost an additional $145. Cant wait!! Your policy seems like a pretty fair one. As chronicled in . Peter David October 1, 2015. They can sell them at conventions, or to collectors . And should I ever get the chance to meet PAD again (I live in NC, which is hardly a big draw for comic book professionals), Ill gladly donate to his tip jar while getting another book autographed. Either criticize both sides or dont, atleast be consistent. Ive been signing my name on books and comics for longer than a considerable portion of you have been alive. Star Wars Autograph Quiz | Can You Tell Whats Real or Fake? I got quite a few autographs back in the day. It reminds me strongly of the collectors mentality of the 90s that nearly destroyed the industry. That means that there is now more of an opportunity to by your favorite celebritys autograph than ever, but its one that many fans cant afford. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". As a result, he made the decision to stop signing anything altogether, no matter what. After the letters are opened and read, they are recycled. The response may come as a disappointment to any devotee who imagines, as they compose their letters that Swift makes time to view each one personally. Or at least a satisfying percentage. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "responsive_search_widget"; They were the best of times. This is a sad state of affairs consideringsome years ago autographs were reasonably priced. Names like Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and Lady Gaga have been known to offer signed merch. Some may not. I met you and your young daughter at c2e2 a couple of years ago. Why do athletes charge for autographs? The higher the fee, the higher the charge and the greater the pressure to cram as many signatures as possible into a three- or four-hour appearance. What are they going to do next, start charging a per minute conversation rate with the celebrity?! I walked by your booth (not knowing you HAD a booth there) and you seemed to recognize my face as a recurring fan. Hertzler took to Facebook and notes a differentiation between the typical premium prices for Star Trek autographs and his recent notice of the exorbitant premiums at the Nickel City Comic Con. In fact, most "sports autographs" look nothing at all like the person's genuine signature on a contract or check. 1. To accompany the release of each new album, Swift has made signed copies available for sale on her website. Thats normally far too rich for my blood, but his was the final Firefly cast member whose autograph my wife & I needed to have all 9 on the DVDs. Florence Pughs autograph costs $160, but the price can go all the way up to $480 depending on the size of the item being signed and the number of add-ons. Do I charge for my autographs? The stars who receive luxury travel and accommodations . At a Star Trek convention in NYC waaay back in 76 they had several of the actors at a table signing autographs. Selma Hayek will be a first time signer for 2022. 2 Do celebrities actually sign their own autographs? I would sign autographs for a few says straight if it ment i could live like cam. Register now! Is there Delhi quota in Lady Hardinge Medical College? You signed a Hulk comic and a Justice comic for me in 1986. Our goods and services are worth whatever someone will pay for them, and we have every right to charge whatever the market will bear. So they have a reason to show up. Until Star Wars Autograph Universe announced their signing with Natalie Portman in 2021, a signing with the Star Wars-actor was thought to be impossible. 1 draft pick, Athletes charging for autographs is no big deal, Report: Derek Carr wants $35 million per year, The Raiders are the betting favorites to land Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy: Kellen Moore wants to light the scoreboard up, I want to run the damn ball, ESPN reiterates report that Lamar Jackson wants a fully-guaranteed deal, Arrest warrant issued for Jalen Carter for reckless driving, racing, Aaron Rodgers says hell make a decision soon enough, Competition Committee begins to explore the quarterback push play, Players say Chiefs discourage them from reporting injuries, have NFLs worst training staff, Report: Jalen Carter was present at teammates fatal crash, misled police about it. As movie and TV stars and B- and C-listers prices for autographs skyrocket at conventions, comic book writers and artists have been discussing whether or not they charge for scribbling their names on their work. I knew from long experience that just to meet Sexy Star would be fairly easy, but a keepsake was more or less out of my budget after I paid $126 for getting the assorted Doctor Who . For adults? Absolutely. $40 to added a signature to something you already own can be a bitter pill to swallow if you dont plan to sell the item afterwards. No his team was 3rd in the NFC South. The last time that Mark Hamill participated in a signing was in 2017 when he charged $295 per autograph. It would never occur to me to put some price on it. Fascinating Stories About Sylvester Stallone, Hollywood's Most Macho Star, The Greatest Actors Who Have Never Won An Oscar (For Acting), The Best TV Actors And Actresses Of All Time, The Greatest Actors & Actresses in Entertainment History, Famous People You Never Realized Are British, Ranked By How Surprised You Were When You Found Out, The Top Casting Choices For The Next James Bond Actor, Behind-The-Scenes Facts From 'Thor: Ragnarok,' Marvel's Silliest Triumph. Im sure it was a common and run-of-the-mill encounter for him, and that he realized it was anything but for me. Some may see it as a way to limit the crowd. Some may charge a few dollars while others may charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Although now, with the signatures being seen by many fans as a way to increase the value of their books, comics, posters, DVDs, etc. If you cant get out to meet Fox in person, there are always companies willing to take your items on consignment to get them signed for you. 4) Also, if prices seem strangely low for an autographed item, chances are its a fake. Its a little disillusioning to see that, but its worth acknowledging how many of those signatures are going to wind up being resold on eBay or elsewhere. Fan mail is simply a way for a fan to reach out to a public figure to express their admiration or share their thoughts. But for the one-time highest paid actor in Hollywood and Governor of California, what else would you expect from a super-star of his caliber? I need to get a photo with Joe! Yes, this is america, but have you looked outside your window lately? I enjoy all your stuff. That said, you should always make sure that the person you get the autograph from know you appreciate it. Many people who stand outside premieres asking for autographs are actually professional autograph traders, who make their living or supplement their income by selling them for full profit, rather than keeping them as a personal souvenir. In the mean time, dont let those prices bum you out, there are other less costly ways to enjoy a con. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Why didnt we think of that?!. Rules for Improving Your Autograph Experience. If he was truly doing that, he wouldnt add a $50 fee for personalizing it. As a general rule of thumb, it is not the best idea to ask a celebrity for their autograph or a picture while they are with their family. Arnold Schwarzenegger & Taylor Swift Are Pioneering Digital Signatures; Whos Doing it Right, Whos Doing it Wrong? A lot of the autograph fees are set by organisers, rather than guests. Thispractice was quite common before it was curtailed by most celebrities. (I met you twice and I remember you doing something like Seans story the one time I went to SDCC) However, I have also seen people bring whole comic boxes up to be signed, and frankly can understand charging for that. You must be logged in to leave a comment. In fact, you can purchase nine different Montana autograph tickets ranging from $199 for an autographed mini-helmet or "flats" (photo, etc.) amzn_assoc_height = 600; Heres the standard advice we give about signatures: Since fame has a value, dont devalue it. He doesn't charge his fans any amount of money to meet him in person he offers free opportunities for fans to get the chance to meet him without having to pay any money! She was a delight to talk to. Harrison Ford has one of the most sought after signatures in the autograph collecting hobby. 11 Chart Topping Artists, A-List Celebrities That Sell Their Autograph [And Three to Avoid], Arnold Schwarzeneggers first ever comic con appearance, Arnold Schwarzenegger News Letters 2019 to Present. Create a signNow account (if you haven't registered yet) or log in using your Google or Facebook. Do celebrities actually sign their own autographs? Firefly actress Jewel Staite did 12 conventions last year while pregnant, explaining . The value of an autograph depends primarily on the person, but also what was signed, the condition, the availability, and trends that affect supply and demand.Research autograph values in the extensive archives of Heritage . Required fields are marked *. Last year, Joe Montana was coming to a large mall near me. Answer: As a rule - no. And some famous people use signing fees, appearance fees, etc, as a way to cut down on the number of requests. Therefore, your chances of getting an autograph or a picture are quite low if a celebrity is with their family. Not everything should be about money, especially to those whom have more than enough. amzn_assoc_default_search_key = "Peter David"; This explains the silly a la carte pricing chart. The New York Comic Con lists an astounding 243 opportunities for fans to get autographs over the four-day convention. The people are more important enjoy them. Yes, it was a good deal, and yes, they were hard to find. Autograph: $395. dont need an autograph, I got one of those 30 years ago in San Fran. Sometimes exclusively so. Answer (1 of 7): 1. I first got into cons via comics. Charging for autographs. I guess with the invention of the smart phone, the convention took notice a ton of selfies being taken with celebs and figured one day, Next year, lets start charging for thatTOO!. I remember seeing you once at SDCC in the mid-90s when they were cracking down on autographing at any location other than a booth. Sounds good. The price of an autograph ranges, generally, from about $30 to about $80 with most in the $30 to $60 range. I know there are many creators who do not charge for their autographs, but instead have a tip jar where the proceeds go to the CBLDF. The Get Hard actor . In the past when we have tried to collect this information ahead of time, it was deemed "wildly inacurate.". Her music is about her fans, which definitely proves how much she appreciates them. I had a Montana picture in a plaque-like display frame that I got around 1990. Its an exchange, you get an autograph and keepsake, they get some cash. Why do celebrities charge for autographs? I have always been a big (thats an understatement) fan of Asimovs. It helps to cover convention expenses because many conventions dont provide per diems. It was just a nice personal memento to have of a brief interaction with the actors. Today you pay at the door, you pay for a picture and you pay for an autograph, and, it is getting worse. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); How Much do Celebrities Charge for Autographs? It would be ok in a charity event that athletes are asking for money for autograph and the collection goes to charity I dont understand the need to do it again. So, I think its really cool when a creator signs the book. The higher the fee, the higher the charge and the greater the pressure to cram as many signatures as possible into a three- or four-hour appearance. Big name celebrities like Robert Downey Jr., Natalie Portman, and Taylor Swift have all embraced the trend for either personal financial gain or to support their favorite charities. However, some cons wont even allow that according to a user on the Dragon Con Live Journal. It keeps their conscience clear, I guess. Thats fine. Not all celebrities are talk show hosts or kardashians; fame isn't a large part of why they do what they do. IF Mickey Mantle came back to life and Mohammed Ali were standing on both sides of me for a picture.wellmaybe! Media guests were few and far between, but cool when they were there. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Depending on the size of the item being signed, Steinfelds autograph alone costs between $135 and $290. Honestly, this seems like a price set to keep autograph seekers at an arm's length. Could you imagine being a fly on the wall of that meeting? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I suppose part of what has changed things is occurred to my young teen self that one would fans who get autographs just to increase the price they can sell the whatever for online. Dress as your favorite character and walk around the floor. UNCENSORED COMMUNITY, Off-topic forum, confessions, chat, blog, casino, gallery, links, quiz, anonymous posting, uncensored discussion, surveys, tournaments. Im ok with charging an adult to pay the fee, considering some get it just to sell it. less people will ask the more they have to pay.its simple supply and demand to help work yourself alittle less.it also helps sort the fans who are more dedicated to the person. as long as its reasonable. Any remaining autographs will be sold on-site at the Guest's table. Pro Reason #2 - Resellers. I just didnt agree with MDS assessment that he was only trying to share in the profits of people whod flip his autograph for cash. Further, pro athletes paid millions per year in addition to that money. Ive even suggested, when the autograph line is small enough, that all the person has to do is sit there and Ill take a photo standing in front of the table with my face and his/her face in the same frame, but the people organizing everything have still said no (which I think is patently ridiculous, its no skin off the celebritys back to sit there like they were already doing and smile for half a second). Honestly, this seems like a price set to keep autograph seekers at an arm's length. However, the demand for autographs has grown so much that it has driven the price up and turned paid signings into a proposition too lucrative to ignore. Of course, I then added that a house came with it . But who needs gloss or matte when you have your own digital camera or smart phone? There was a time where you could do it all at once. The main reason, because they can. What is the difference between signed and autographed? Some celebrities refuse to sign, like Paul McCartney, whom Arnold claims has the most valuable signature on the market. It was maybe a brief two minutes. Best Bets: Ada Limn, Cowboy Bob and New Beginnings, This weekend was Space City Comic Conan uneven success by the kindest estimates. Also noticed an odd message on the Chiller Theatre convention website, officially denying that they make their guests charge for autographs, whereas Ive heard various stories from the guests charging various fees because thats how they break even on the trip. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. (My guess is that people were selling them on eBay?) By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Its a fans right not to buy either. Was he in the Super Bowl did he win it I rarely draw attention to it, unless someone brings me something like 50 comics to sign. Find out which actors will not be signing your movie poster any time soon. This past month, Star Wars Celebration photo ops reached around the $200 mark and fans were willing to pay this amount. Mark Hamill's Autographs Prove He's The Best Actor A Fandom Could Ask For. . The main thing is that people pay for autographs because they can. Back in my obsessive convention-attending days, things were way more relaxed. People came to see the stars, and the stars would oblige their fans' reasonable requests. Not a member? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. If the autographs were given for free, that could and quite possiblywould encourage resellers to get as many signatures as they could and thenresell them for large amounts of money. She FaceTimes with her fans, jumps in to sing karaoke with them, features their YouTube videos on her tour, and even brings them on stage during her performances. Dont care. As chronicled in 2016 by theHollywood Reporter, its not uncommon for a star to earn anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 on top of their guarantee (which is generally another $5,000 to $10,000) just for showing up. You dont take a paycheck home? I thought the conventions were the ones charging money, not the celebs themselves. Why do celebrities charge for interviews, autographs, meet & greets, etc.? Personalize the autograph for kids To Bill, Good Luck, Cam. Those kinds of autographs arent worth squat. Selma Hayek will be a first time signer for 2022. Ive gotten a few nice autographs there (Spike Spencer, English dub voice of Shinji from Evangelion; Mari Ijima, original Japanese voice of Minmay from Macross/Robotech; Wantanabe Nabeshin Shinichi, afro-tastic director of Excel Saga) and none of them have ever charged. If he used an excuse that she didnt pay for it, I guess you could chalk that up to his capitalistic virtues huh? This brought the price of Arnold Schwarzeneggers autograph to $416. Also worth noting, RDJ didnt keep the proceeds, but instead donated his earnings to support the Footprint Coalition which focuses on environmental causes. Taylor Swift Midnights: Moonstone Blue Edition with Hand Signed Photo, Taylor Swift Midnights: Moonstone Blue Edition Vinyl with Hand Signed Photo, Taylor Swift Autograph - Signed Evermore Sealed, Elizabeth Olsen Autograph - Hattie Harmony Signed Book by Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett, Nick Swardson & Kevin James Autograph - Signed "Grown Ups" 8x10" Photo with COA, Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure (Jimmy Fallon Signed Book).