Why would anyone get a book autographed on the cover??

[Blue Meanie]

Just curious...I try to get as many autographs of my favorite writers and artist over the last 20 + years...but it still baffles me why anyone would get a comic autographed on the cover of the book. I think over the years I have maybe 2 books that got signed on the cover because I forgot to mention it to the artist that I wanted signed on the 1st page. The reason why I ask this is because I was doing a search on ebay in the comic section and I came across this CGC graded book (Don't even get me started on CGC) :

Incredible Hulk #181 CGC DOUBLE SS 9.4 !! 1st Wolverine - eBay (item 230396584148 end time Oct-02-10 14:25:08 PDT)

Now, in my opinion that book is not the grade it states in the slab. To me when someone writes on the cover, even if it is the artist of the book, it completely down grades the book. It also is a pet peeve of mine about the newstand writings of the older books...not so much so than autographed covers...but still a pet peeve. I can be a little less harsh about the newstand dates because it was an accepted practice back in the day...but autographing a cover, I still don't get it. Anyone else have any feelings on the subject?

[kingdom warrior]

I use to get crap books or books I know aren't going to be worth anything and have the artist sign the cover so I could display it.......otherwise it was the inside.... now most of my artist heroes have passed away so I don't even care anymore about getting books signed.

[johnnystorm]

Dosn't matter to me...almost all of my signed books are signed on the cover. Not in it for the reselling or CGCing it.

[boynightwing]

If I were to get a book signed, I would want the cover so it can be easily seen. If I got Stan Lee to sign a book, I would likely get it framed. I would think if he or Jack Kirby signed a book it would go up in value...and if not, it would for me personally.

I have the first appearance of Poison Ivy (Batman 181) and if Carmine Infantino comes back to Toronto I will have him sign it for sure.

[Blue Meanie]

Dosn't matter to me...almost all of my signed books are signed on the cover. Not in it for the reselling or CGCing it.

neither am I...I just think it ruins the art. At least on the inside there is a spot, more so with the older books than the newer books, where an artist can autograph and personalize the book and it doesn't over lap any of the art.

If I intend on framing a piece it would definitely be a page/poster by that artist. I have a poster of FF 1 autographed by Alex Ross that I intend on getting framed. I don't think I would get a autographed Marvels Comic framed.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I have a few of both. I sometimes forget I even got some signed until I open the book, but I immediately recognize a signed cover book.

I got a copy of New Teen Titans #39 signed by George Perez. That's where Dick quits being Robin, and Kid Flash quits. Lots of white space all around, so a great cover to get signed.

Chris

[WannabeMego]

My brother and I don't share too much in common, but this is one of them.

I just about killed Peter David when I caught him signing the cover of my 'Future Imperfect'!!!

I turn to make sure the flap of my bag was closed so my books wouldn't fall out and by the time I turned around, he had a Sharpie in his hand and he was signing the George Perez cover.

I remember saying:
Me - "What are you doing"
PD - "Signing your Book..."
Me - "But you didn't draw the cover, why would you sign the cover?!"
He looks up to see me staring at him with my mouth open...
PD - "Oh, I'm so sorry...I'm so used to signing the cover...I should have asked first...let me buy you a new one"
Me - "No...thanks"

I was in shock...I couldn't find the logic in why you/he would do that.

Needless to say, I NEVER take my eyes off my books for a second when I ask for an autograph and it's ALWAYS on the inside in an unobstructed place.

...and as far as I'm concerned, that Hulk 181 is NOT a 9.4 with that signature (In SHARPIE no less) on the cover.

I bet Herb Trimpe was like..."Are you SURE you want me to sign the cover to this?!...REALLY?!"

[Riffster]

i don't have any covers autographed, but I have titans #1 autographed by Perez inside, uncanny x-men 142 autographed by Claremont

[VintageMike]

It's not something I'd do but as autograph collector in other genres I know the motivation behind this is usually an easy one: display. Whether it's on a wall or in a book they want to see the autograph in a displayable fashion. There's also a small segment who actually think it would increase the value of the book which I disagree with.

[LadyZod]

Not for nothing, that book is actually a "qualified grade."

That book in the auction is graded at 9.4 INSPITE of the autograph. The CGC uses a special label for a book that is signed (which they can verify), and that book in the auction does have that special "Signature Series" label.

If the CGC could not authenticate the auto, the book would carry the plain "Qualified" label which is almost as bad as carrying a "Restored" label.


Taken from CGC's website:

• Universal (blue)
  • This label is applied to comic books that are simply the grade as marked, with no qualifiers or special considerations.
  • 
• Signature Series (yellow)
  • This label is applied to comic books that have been signed by someone of significance to the comic, under the direct observation of a CGC employee, and are thus certified as an authentic signature by CGC.
  • 
• Qualified (green)
  • A Qualified label is used by CGC for certified books that have a significant defect that needs specific description, or to note an unauthenticated signature (one which was not witnessed by CGC). For example, it would be a disservice to the seller and buyer to call a VF/NM book with a 4-inch back cover tear a VG, so CGC will give this book a Qualified grade of "VF/NM 9.0, back cover 4-inch tear." Or, if the book is signed on the cover it may be noted as "Name Written on Cover."
  • 
• Restored (purple)
  • This label is applied to any comic book that has evidence of repair so that it will appear as it did when it was in its original condition. Restoration can come in a variety of degrees, from slight professional restoration (SP) to extensive amateur restoration (EA).
  • 
• SIGNATURE SERIES RESTORED (yellow / purple)
  • Applied to a restored comic book that has been signed by someone of significance to the comic, under the direct observation of a CGC employee, and are certified as an authentic signature by CGC. Degree of restoration is also noted on the label.
  • 

Now, I'm not a big fan of grading comics and slabbing them, but they do serve a purpose, and have infact made people interested in the hobby, even if for reasons I don't agree with. I feed it important to at least be educated in it.

[Blue Meanie]

The "Signature Series" CGC thing is a joke. They basically are doing at shows what the "Baseball Card" dealers and show people have been doing for years...buy a "Certificate", or in this case with CGC a so called "service" and we'll give you a Certificate that states that this book was signed by "so and so". I bought a booked that was slabbed, X-Men 98, on ebay a while back....not because it was slabbed, but for the mere fact that it was only 25 bucks (BTW CGC graded 8.5). The grading stated that it had writing inside...I broke open the slab to find out that it was in fact a REAL Dave Cockrum autograph. The way I could tell is that I have my X-Men 94 signed in person at my friends comic store 20+ years ago. This so called "Expert" grading service doesn't have any experts on signatures? Maybe I should do a test at the next show and see if they sell those "Signature Series" grades like they sell COA's at baseball card shows.

Sorry, I got off the subject a little...see what I mean, just the mention of CGC

Anyway, getting back to the matter at hand. I remember the "Peter David Incident" because I have never seen my Big Bro FLIP OUT like he did It wasn't pretty folks.

I still find it fun and personal to get autographs from comic creators and artists...took me 20 + Years to get my X-Men 94 signed by the major players on the book (Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, Len Wein, and last but not least Bob McLeod) and if you saw my copy of X-Men 94 you'd say "Damn that book is maybe a G+...why the hell did you get it autographed?" Because I love that book. I've had it since 6th grade...I even remember what I traded for it....X-Men 15 in VG+ - Fine.

BTW, if you should get some autographs from some you admire in comics, especially the older vets, don't just get an autograph...talk to them and let them know your appreciation for their art or writing. You'd be surprised by some of the responses you get.

[LadyZod]

The "Signature Series" CGC thing is a joke. ...I bought a booked that was slabbed, X-Men 98, on ebay a while back....not because it was slabbed, but for the mere fact that it was only 25 bucks (BTW CGC graded 8.5). The grading stated that it had writing inside...I broke open the slab to find out that it was in fact a REAL Dave Cockrum autograph. ... This so called "Expert" grading service doesn't have any experts on signatures?

Actually, the Signature Series came to be BECAUSE of situations like you mentioned, of a lower graded book GETTING that lower grade because of a signature.

You can test for restoration using a black light and other equipment. You cannot test for authenticity on an autograph in the same way.

No matter how expert you are on autographs, some folks are just better at faking them. It's a problem in the autograph collecting field that's been around since forever. Many "experts" in the field (many who may work for Christies and Sotherbys at times) have been fooled.

Early on when they started, CGC chose not to mess with it, and whether it was signed by your mother, Stan Lee, George Washington or whoever it didn't matter. It was considered "writing" and consider a defect on the book as a whole, and the grading reflected it.

Well collectors got up in arms. They spent money on autographed books and they considered them more valuable than those unsigned... and here was CGC telling them that they weren't.

CGC is a business. It makes business sense to create a subcategory for those that do collect autographed comics. That subcategory is the Signature Series. However you still come up short in the whole, how to you authenticate a signature?

Well, the only surefire way is to be present at the signing. To visually WITNESS the autopgraph. That is why the they do so at shows, where a grader from CGC can physically witness the autograph. Some books sold through Diamond get the same treatment. Books go to the artist or writer to sign and a CGC grader watches them do it.

Is it perfect? No. But it is what it is.

It's not exactly the same as buying a COA, since CGC labels and slabs are patented... but it still means nothing in the whole scheme of things.

You buy what you like, you'll always be happy. You buy for profit, and well, that's your business.

[Blue Meanie]

CGC is a business. It makes business sense to create a subcategory for those that do collect autographed comics. That subcategory is the Signature Series. However you still come up short in the whole, how to you authenticate a signature?

Well, the only surefire way is to be present at the signing. To visually WITNESS the autopgraph. That is why the they do so at shows, where a grader from CGC can physically witness the autograph. Some books sold through Diamond get the same treatment. Books go to the artist or writer to sign and a CGC grader watches them do it.

That's the whole thing though...Do they have reps for every artist at a show?? Probably not. That's why I don't think they truly WITNESS ALL the signings that are slabbed. IMHO it's not possible.

It's not exactly the same as buying a COA, since CGC labels and slabs are patented... but it still means nothing in the whole scheme of things.

You buy what you like, you'll always be happy.

I completely agree with that statement. As for buying autographs...no way. Unless I get it signed by the artist or writer in person it means absolutely nothing to me. That's true for comics or anything else I collect like Records/Music.

[WannabeMego]

You buy what you like, you'll always be happy. You buy for profit, and well, that's your business.

Nice Quote...I agree

It's all about what your preference is.

[HardyGirl]

Dosn't matter to me...almost all of my signed books are signed on the cover. Not in it for the reselling or CGCing it.

Ditto. I have a Krofft Supershow comic that was signed for me by David Levy (Barry on Wonderbug) on the cover.