What is a signature worth to you?

[Joaz Banbeck]

On a book? On a goban? Just on a piece of paper?
Gu Li? Sedol? Yang?
Whose autograth do you want, on what object, and for how much?
Living only, or reacently deceased, please.

[topazg]

Nothing! Not that I don't respect the players, but I have never understood wanting signatures or autographs of people.

[lorill]

Neither do I.

Edit: I even consider it as a negative value, I'd prefer the same object with its natural finish, even if it costs a bit more.

Books signed by the author is acceptable if I know the author personnally and if it's a gift, and I accept signatures by the maker of the object (musical instruments for instance)

[DrStraw]

It doesn't do much for me. I would not refuse a book because it had a signature, but I wouldn't pay extra either. But I would not consider it new if it had anything written in it so to be considered for pruchase at full new book price it better be a signature of someone significant.

[Kirby]

A signature in itself does not mean anything to me. But if the signature reminds me of a significant memory, it might be nice to have.

For example, I have not met Lee Changho. But if I met him in person, and he signed a book for me, the book with the signature would remind me of the time that I met Lee Changho, and would be valuable to me.

However, if somebody else had a Lee Changho signed book, the signature wouldn't mean much to me, because it doesn't bring me any personal memories.

[xed_over]

To me, an autograph means I've either met the person, or that they've personally touched the same object I now own.

I don't understand the value in mass produced/printed signatures (I have some, but they're not nearly as meaningful as personal signatures)

I remember once Nakayama Sensei seemed almost offended when someone wanted him to personally autograph his (already "signed") copy of Treasure Chest Enigma. Nakayama kept trying to tell the young man that the book already had his signature in it, but the young man wanted an "actual, handwritten autograph".

[freegame]

It is a reminder of actually meeting someone. Therefore in my opinion a signed objects only has extra value to the person who asked for the autograph.
If I had the choice between an unsigned book and a signed one at E-bay or Amazon, I'd pick the unsighted one.
But if I bought the book in a shop and the author was there I'd ask him/her to autograph it.

How about handing out autographs?
Anyone "famous enough" to have handed out autographs to people?

[lorill]

Anyone "famous enough" to have handed out autographs to people?

Not famous at all, but a few guys already asked after a concert. I think it was to mock me more than anything else

[Kirby]

If I see any of you at the Cotsen, I will be happy to give out autographs. I'll sign them, "Kirby, the infamous troll of the forums".

[Magicwand]

i rather have a signature if it is from someone famous.
not copy! personal signature.

monitary value = $0 to me.
but someone might pay more for that signature 100 years after he die so there is a value in it.

[DrStraw]

It is a reminder of actually meeting someone. Therefore in my opinion a signed objects only has extra value to the person who asked for the autograph.

Actually, this does raise an interesting point. I was thinking in terms of go books signed by someone I have never met. I don't have a book signed by a go player but I do have one of Isaac Asimov's books signed by him when I met him 36 years ago and it is a nice reminder of that meeting. I also have a couple of books signed by less famous authors when I met them and those have little significance for me.

[tchan001]

From a person who does own signed books by go players he has never met, I do value signatures of famous go players who are recognized as great masters of the past.

I have a book by Go Seigen signed by Go Seigen and I think it's wonderful. It was more of a pleasant surprise than anything else because I wasn't aware the book came with the signature when I ordered it used from Amazon JP.

I have a set of 5 old books signed by Segoe Kensaku with 2 beautiful calligraphy words on each book and I paid a premium for them. An unsigned set without the calligraphy was offered at much cheaper prices but just weren't as attractive.

I have a scroll by Takagawa Shukakuwith just a few calligraphy words on it.

I certainly haven't met the people above but they are such important personalities on the go scene that I did pay a premium for the privilege of owning a personalized work of theirs.

What I really think is really interesting is this old goban which I only have the pictures. Not an especially nice cut of wood nor is it in pristine condition, but you can be certain the owner bought for the signature and the calligraphy which goes along with it.

I have never seen one before, but suppose there was an autographed book signed by Honinbo Shusaku offered for sale somewhere, I bet there would be quite a few people interested in offering a huge premium to be the owner of such a book.

Calligraphy is actively collected in the Asian art marketplace. I don't see why it's not worthwhile to collect calligraphy works by great go masters I have never met. Although I wouldn't pay a nice premium for them unless they were very special though. Something like this prehaps? Alas, I only have the pictures.

So for living and recently deceased go players, I probably wouldn't value just an ordinary signature, but with nice thoughtful calligraphy that goes along with the signature, that's a different ballgame.

[gowan]

It doesn't do much for me. I would not refuse a book because it had a signature, but I wouldn't pay extra either. But I would not consider it new if it had anything written in it so to be considered for pruchase at full new book price it better be a signature of someone significant.

First editions of books are often more valuable if signed by the author.

I wouldn't mind having a copy of Go Seigen's complete games, signed by him with an inscription addressed to me. I don't know if such exists but I would like to have a go board used during the Kamakura jubango signed by both Go and Kitani. I have fans autographed by Takemiya and Kato and I have a collection of name cards from pros I have met personally. I agree that autographs would be most meaningful to me if they wwere by someone I met or, in the case of the Go-Kitani board, related to a go event that I particularly admired. As for how much I'd pay, I almost certainly couldn't afford the signed board. The other stuff came cheap.

[usagi]

On a book? On a goban? Just on a piece of paper?
Gu Li? Sedol? Yang?
Whose autograth do you want, on what object, and for how much?
Living only, or reacently deceased, please.

A signature implies endorsement, which imparts confidence.

If the book was signed for you, this is a vote of confidence for yourself. As such it can be very valuable to you.

-

[kirkmc]

I have a fair number of signed books, because I know a lot of authors. It is something special, even though, intrinsically, it means nothing.

For go, what would I like? Well, I have a picture of me with Takemiya, but maybe a signed book of Go Seigen's games would be nice.

For non-go: I would love to own a letter written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, or at least a first edition of one of his books. (I'm actually considering spending some money to buy one...) A letter written by Henry David Thoreau would be my second choice...