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Churchill
Autographs
Most collectors will be aware that Churchill autographs are
both desirable and valuable. There are four main categories
of autographs available:
1.
Signed or inscribed books. Churchill usually signed one of
his books on either the free endpaper, the half title page,
or on the title page. A "signed" book will typically
have just WINSTON S. CHURCHILL or the signature and maybe
a date or a few words such "inscribed by". The term
"inscribed" refers to a book which names a specific
receipient, e.g. "John Smith from Winston S. Churchill."
An inscribed copy is more valuable than a plain signed copy
if it is incribed to an important or personally close individual.
Heads of state, Prime Ministers, and family members are the
most sought and highest priced |
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Signed
book |
Inscribed
book |
2.
Signed photographs are in great demand. Churchill presented
these to associates and employees. A photo can be either signed
on the actual image, or on the mount, which refers to the
cardboard backing extending beyond the edges of the photo.
Signed on the mount is slightly more desirable as the signature
is uusually clearer. Signatures on the image can be difficult
to see. You will see other dealers offering photos framed
with a small signed piece mounted beneath the photo. I consider
these to be contrived and do not offer them. |
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signed
on image |
signed
on mount |
3.
Signed letters are without doubt the most widely available
form of Churchill autograph. For most of his working life,
Churchill had teams of secretaries taking dictation for letters
to be typed up and signed. The vast majority of these were
discarded almost immediately, but survivors keep coming on
the market. Collectors should be aware that there are huge
numbers of "printed facsimile" letters on the market
that look like real signed letters. These are typically generic
thank you notes that something like "Thanks for your
kind wishes for my Birthday." These were sent out by
Churchill's staff by the thousands. they are genuine, but
not autograph. I regularly see these being bid to silly prices
on internet auctions. Letters fully in Churchill's own hand
are the most valuable, as most letters were written or typed
by secretarial staff |
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printed
facsimile letter |
genuine
autograph letter |
4.
Other autograph material includes menus, programmes, and similar
paper items signed by Churchill. If such an item is also by
another leading fugure such as Roosevelt, Montgomery, or Ike,
the value can be very high. |
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