My roommate and I were in the midst of our obsession with The Sopranos when we accidentally stumbled across a signed poster of the whole cast in her parents’ basement. We forgot about whatever worn piece of furniture we were looking for and bounded up the stairs.
We were living in our first real apartment at the time, and “nice things” were a no-no. After some research, we quickly figured out that signed Sopranos memorabilia were worth more than our rent, especially when they included the autograph of the late and beloved leading man, James Gandolfini.
We surrendered the poster to her parents and continued the search for the end table we were originally looking for.
However, that moment solidified my fascination with the world of original autographed entertainment memorabilia. Mr. Gandolfini is apparently in good company, and celebrity autographs are perhaps the most treasured pieces of memorabilia you can have of your idol.
Here are some of the most valuable celebrity autographs around today. Who makes the cut might surprise you as much as it surprised me.
1. John F. Kennedy
Many people remember exactly where they were when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. His short-lived presidency and its abrupt ending marked a major turning point in American history, and he is still remembered as one of the nation’s most beloved leaders.
His popularity is reflected in the extremely wide range of JFK memorabilia on eBay, and especially by the price tags. A single memorandum containing his signature is listed for $38,250.
2. Elvis Presley
We all know Elvis as the King of Rock-and-Roll. The fact that he can be referred to as simply “The King” explains why an old place mat featuring his original autograph is listed at $19,999.99 on eBay.
3. James Dean
James Dean is the original Rebel Without a Cause in every sense of the word. The actor is legendary for both his talent and his good looks. Today, a signed copy of his high school yearbook is listed on eBay for $15,300!
4. Marilyn Monroe
Like James Dean, Marilyn Monroe is another ’50s legend whose premature death cemented her iconic status. There is no denying that Marilyn continues to influence pop culture to this day, which only makes her autograph all the more coveted.
A check signed by Monroe is listed on eBay for $3,899, and an original signed black-and-white photo is currently listed for $8,900.
5. Princess Diana
The late Diana, Princess of Wales, is still regarded as one of the most popular members of the British royal family. As a result, there is a whole line of collector’s edition Princess Diana Beanie Babies.
Additionally, her signed photograph is listed at $2,500, while one containing the signature of both her and Prince Charles is currently being listed at a whopping $13,600.
Which celebrity autograph would you like to add to your collection? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to please SHARE this on Facebook!
