BEHIND THE SCENES: How the Autograph Industry really works

Do you remember when you were a kid and you went to watch your favorite professional player while hoping to get his autograph?  You got as close as you could to the dugout, hoping he would pop his head out and possibly give you an autograph. 

That’s what most people think how companies like BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising gets items autographed, it’s the direct opposite.  Around the world, autographs of professional athletes are highly sought after.  In North America, there are millions of Sports Collectible stores which mainly specialize in the local teams. 

How it truly works may make you mad, but the athletes maximize their earning by conducting autograph signings.  In reality, the normal NFL career only spans 3 years.  Plus the athletes have to pay their agents, publicists, trainers etc.  So in order to earn more money, they respond to what the fans want – paid autograph signings.

The reality of how these are conducted honestly is mechanical.  The Athlete is paid a certain amount to sign a certain amount of items.  Routinely, it’s 1,000 total pieces or more.  The items range from Helmets, Pictures, Jerseys, balls, bats etc.  At some autograph signings, the national shows, there could be as many as 50 well known athletes.  These "Bulk Item" autograph signings for wholesalers are referred to as "the Back Room."

At the signings, autograph authenticators such as JSA & PSA/DNA are asked to be present to actually witness the items being autographed.  It’s truly amazing, there will be stacks of pictures & jersey’s for each athlete.  Rows and rows of helmets, cases of baseballs.  How do you think businesses like ours actually get the items autographed?

However, celebrities and musicians rarely sit down to do an autograph signing.  The main stream or ultra famous stars do not do autograph signings at all, they truly don’t need to.  In order to get their autographs, companies like ours employ “Chasers.”  The people watch to see what celebrity is in town and wait outside a venue that they are appearing and ask for their autograph.  They are normally 8x10 photos.  The celebrities or musicians will sign the items in passing with their autographs looking more like “Chicken Scratch.”  The “Chased” autographs are hard to authenticate.  Furthermore, they NEVER EVER sign more than a few 8x10’s.  Chasers cannot carry stacks of guitars or stacks of 16x20 large photos. 

However, it is incredibly rare to get an entire cast of a certain movie or even harder, the entire band to sign one item.  You can find autographed guitar pick guards that one of the band members signed, but you will NEVER find a “Body” signed guitar (which means signed around the large part of the guitar) signed by the entire band.  You will find them true, but you will also find Big Foot autographs and Loch Ness Monster being ridden by Elvis autographed photos too.

Another important fact, when a celebrity or athlete dies, their autographs become extremely rare for obvious reasons.  The prices skyrocket!!!  As time passes by, the autographs are harder and harder to find.  But then this is easy to understand right?

So, I hope this gives you a “Behind the Scenes” explanation of how Authentic Autographs are actually acquired.

BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Fundraising leader in a “One Stop Shop” convenient setting.  BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising is a North American Charity Auction Item leader, providing everything a charity could want and be successful with including 100% authentic, 3^rd party authenticated auction items from athletes and celebrities.  BW Unlimited also carries a wide array of Décor and Jewelry.  In order to better serve charities across North America, BW Unlimited formed its own Travel Package company – CharityTravelPackages.com.  Offering a wide array of Charity Travel Packages ranging from “Once in a Lifetime,” Concerts, Vacations, VIP Experiences and much more.   

If we can help you, contact us at www.BWUnlimited.com.  Check out our Charity Travel Package website at www.CharityTravelPackages.com.