Autograph

An autograph is an original document containing a famous person's signature. In baseball autographs have been collected from the earliest days when players became celebrities, sometimes on pieces of paper, and sometimes on other supports such as a piece of equipment, a baseball, a scorecard or game program, or a baseball card. A number of baseball cards feature a facsimile of the depicted player's autograph, either on the front or back.

While collecting autographs was originally a kids' pastime, it has become a big business, with many former players making significant money from appearances at autograph shows.

Further Reading

• Ron Keurajian: Baseball Hall of Fame Autographs, A Reference Guide, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2018. ISBN 978-1-4766-7140-6