They’re on a photo, a record deal or a baseball. Sometimes just on a letter. A mere signature is enough and sometimes the simplest things become worth millions of euros.
Two simple sneakers can be worth 1.9 million euros if the right person puts their initials on them. This is what happened with a pair of sneakers from US basketball legend Michael Jordan. To date, it is the fourth most valuable signed collector’s item in the world. Yes, at the top it’s a few million more. Collectors, fans and, last but not least, speculators spend ridiculous sums of money to get the right signature in the right place. It could be worth it, because the signature gives the objects, which are already mostly steeped in history, a maximum of exclusivity. This drives up the price, and the supply quantity ultimately remains at one until eternity. A look at the ten most valuable collectibles in the world.
10. Albert Einstein – Signed Photo
The photo is from 1951. It shows Albert Einstein – with his tongue sticking out. It is probably one of the most famous photo motifs in the world. It was photographed by Arthur Sasse and Einstein signed a few prints. In 2017, it was worth 111,000 euros to a bidder at a Los Angeles auction.
9. Jimi Hendrix – record deal
Jimi Hendrix is still considered one of the best and most influential guitarists in the world. He probably also became a legend because of his tragically early death at the age of just 28. That was in 1970, five years earlier Hendrix had signed his first record deal. He is said to have been entitled to one US dollar and one percent of the royalties. Hendrix’s signature on it is worth more today, namely 170,000 euros.
8. Marilyn Monroe – Baseball
A baseball also changed hands in 2006 for the equivalent of around 170,000 euros. Both acting legend Marilyn Monroe and former New York Yankee star player Joe DiMaggio – her husband until Monroe died in 1962 – signed it.
7. Steve Jobs – Brief
Sometimes a mere letter that its author didn’t want to sign is enough. A fan response letter from Apple founder Steve Jobs from 1983 was auctioned off for the equivalent of 445,000 euros. It is one of very few autographs that Jobs gave and this one only came about because the letter automatically ended with a letterhead that contained Jobs’ signature. Jobs even wrote in the letter that unfortunately he doesn’t give autographs.
6. Kurt Cobain – guitar
Rock legend Kurt Cobain, frontman of the band Nirvana, was known for dismantling his instrument into its individual parts after a performance. Without knowing it, he used it to create unique works of art. He later signed a battered black and white Fender Stratocaster together with his bandmates. In 2023, this was worth the equivalent of 550,000 euros to a bidder.
5. John Lennon – Autograph
An autograph that Beatles legend John Lennon once gave to his assassin is worth 830,000 euros today. Shortly before Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980, he had signed a record for the murderer. This story, which can hardly be surpassed in terms of tragedy, makes this signature the fifth most valuable in the world.
4. Michael Jordan – Sneaker
The fourth most valuable signed collector’s item in the world bears the signature of former basketball superstar Michael Jordan. In the 1998 NBA Finals, Jordan wore silver Air Jordans named after him. Together with his signature, the sneakers were worth the equivalent of 1.9 million euros to a bidder at a Sotheby’s auction this year.
3. Abraham Lincoln – Emanzipationsproklamation
In 1862, then US President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery in the southern states. A copy of it was auctioned a few years ago for around 3.3 million euros. There are said to be a total of 26 copies, all of which should be of similar value. However, it is unclear where they are in circulation.
2. William Shakespeare – Dokument
There are said to be only exactly six authentic signatures of William Shakespeare, probably the most famous and famous play writer in the world. This is not particularly surprising, as they are more than 400 years old. According to expert estimates, a document on which Shakespeare left his initials is worth around 4.5 million euros.
1. George Washington – US Constitution
The undisputed leader is George Washington, the first president of the USA, with his signature on a copy of the first US constitution from 1789. It couldn’t be more historic. In 2012, the copy was sold at a Christie’s auction for the equivalent of 8.7 million euros to the Mount Vernon Foundation, which is exhibiting the piece in the George Washington Library.
BAS
Also read: Is this Germany’s best car stock?
2023-11-03 15:42:24
#valuable #signatures #world #BÖRSE #Sunday
