- The strongest evidence is a photo or video of the signing and direct provenance from the athlete, club or federation.
- Certificates from international authorities such as Beckett, PSA/DNA and JSA are a recognised reference among collectors.
- When there is no proof, you need an independent expert: a handwriting analyst.
- On Memorabid every autograph must meet at least one of these requirements before it goes to auction.
Autographs are among the most loved collectibles, because they tie an object to a person and to a precise moment. That is exactly why they are also among the most imitated. The good news: you do not need to be an expert to protect yourself. You just need to know which questions to ask and which documents to expect.
Why authenticating an autograph is hard
Signatures change over time. A player signs differently at twenty than at the end of a career, and signs quickly when a hundred fans are waiting. The surface matters too: a marker on a technical shirt leaves a different stroke from a pen on paper. This is why a quick comparison with a photo found online is not reliable.
So the value of an autograph lies not only in the signature but in the proof behind it. Proof falls into three families.
1. Photo or video proof
It is the most direct evidence: images showing the athlete signing that exact item. Good video proof lets you recognise the item (number, patches, details) and the person in the same frame. On Memorabid you will often see "with photo proof" or "with video proof" in the lot title.
2. Direct provenance
A signed item that comes straight from the athlete, the club or the federation has a clear chain of custody. This is the case for charity auctions promoted by the champions themselves or by sports clubs: the signature was collected by whoever runs the initiative.
If the seller cannot tell you where the item comes from, or the story passes through many hands with no documents, the signature is worth much less.
3. Beckett, PSA/DNA and JSA certificates
In international collecting, some authentication companies are a point of reference: among the best known are Beckett, PSA/DNA and JSA. Their certificate usually comes with a code or a sticker with a serial number that you can check on the company's website.
Be careful, though: a certificate only counts if it is genuine and matches that specific item. Always check the code and compare the description with the piece in front of you.
Handwriting analysis: when there is no proof
On Memorabid every autograph must meet at least one of the three requirements above. If a supplier delivers a lot without any of them, before it goes to auction the signature is examined by a court-appointed handwriting expert registered with A.G.I., the Italian Graphological Association, and A.G.P., the Association of Professional Graphologists.
We chose this professional because they are independent and impartial: they have no commercial ties to the memorabilia market, so there is no conflict of interest. The item goes to auction only if the expert judges the autograph to be original, and their certificate is given free of charge to the winning bidder. The supplier pays for the analysis.
How we check autographsThe full rules on the How Memorabid works page.The most common red flags
None of these signs proves on its own that a signature is fake. But if you see more than one, stop and ask for proof.
- Identical signatures on several items from the same seller, as if copied or printed.
- Printed or facsimile signatures, common on retail shirts and merchandise.
- A hesitant stroke, with pauses and restarts, typical of someone tracing a signature.
- Ink that does not suit the surface, such as a perfect stroke on a fabric where ink tends to bleed.
- Whole sets of different champions sold as "all signed together", with no proof.
- A very low price for the signature of a highly sought-after star.
Before you buy: a checklist
- Ask whether there is a photo or video of the signing.
- Ask where the item comes from and who owned it before.
- If there is a certificate, check the code with the company that issued it.
- Read the lot title carefully: match worn, prepared and store shirts are different things. See our guide to authentic match worn shirts.
- Prefer platforms that inspect the item before shipping it.
On Memorabid every item, including Marketplace lots, passes through our offices before it reaches the buyer. At checkout you can add a COA or COO certificate with two NFC tags: see how it works on the NFC certificates page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best proof for an autograph?
A photo or video showing the athlete signing that exact item. Next come direct provenance and a certificate from a recognised authority.
Who are Beckett, PSA/DNA and JSA?
They are internationally known authentication companies in the collectibles world. Their certificates usually carry a code you can check on the company's website.
What happens on Memorabid if an autograph has no proof?
Before going to auction it is examined by a court-appointed handwriting expert registered with A.G.I. and A.G.P. The lot is auctioned only if the expert judges the signature original.
Does the buyer pay for the expert's certificate?
No. The certificate is included and given free of charge to the winning bidder. The supplier of the lot pays for it.
Memorabid Editorial TeamThe team that selects, photographs and checks the items auctioned on Memorabid.