Do You Think Selfies Will Take the Place of Autographs?
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When I was going you used to want to get autographs, then some celebrities started to charged as they assumed people were just selling them on Ebay.Now it You spot someone famous it's a sefie. Are autographs a thing of the past?
I think they already have. I work at an airport and celebs come through all the time, I honestly don’t think Ive ever seen anyone asked for an autograph, only pictures.
Celebrities themselves no longer like to give autographs because there are specific group of people known to sell them at ridiculously high prices online. So most of them actually refuse.
Unfortunately it is often counter productive, the autographs of those reluctant to give autographs fetch higher prices.
davidstockport That’s also valid. But musicians today sell pre-autographed merchandise to make up for that.
flipside Quite true, I doubt the autographs actually sell for as much as people think, they might be offered at high prices... but do they actually sell? Since I posted my previous reply I actually checked on Ebay and an autograph of Paul Robeson @£75 was for for sale years ago at that price, I remember checking the prices of quite a few I own, I probably wouldn't get that amount for all of them and the book they're in from a dealer. Not that I want to sell.
davidstockport I honestly don’t know if they actually sell to anyone on eBay. If they do, it’ll probably be to more gullible people. You could literally go on the artist’s website and buy them.
flipside Apart from that you've no real guarantee the autograph is genuine, I know for a fact, that back in the 60s it was common practice for the secretary in their managers office to sign for certain artistes. And those autographed pictures that could be bought back then were signed by a device known as an autopen, they're reasonably easy to detect because all the signatures are identical.
davidstockport I’ve heard of the autopens and to be honest I don’t have a problem with them. It doesn’t mar the authenticity for me. It’s still an accurate autograph and I’d much rather it was done by autopen rather than the musician‘s assistant or whoever else.
flipside That's debateable, an autopen or assistants signature to someone who wants to think that the signature they possess was written by the person who supposedly wrote it (buying a few moments of their time) has no more value to them than a photocopy of the original.
davidstockport Yeah that’s definitely valid. But I’m just as happy with the next best thing.
I guess a selfie shows you actually met the celebrity whereas an autograph can just be bought. Equally well resale for an autograph I can understand but a photo of your fave celeb and a random stranger? I guess it depends why you want the acknowledgement in the first place! I don't really go in for the celebrity culture to be honest but if it was someone I followed, liked, respected...I'd ask for the pic personally... !
Probably has but I like being awkward and if I got to meet Johnny Depp I would ask him to sign my arm so I could get it tattooed on and ask for selfie
I have seen a few celebrities come into my work and everyone just goes straight for selfies. I suppose it is a bit more to show off than an autograph though. Only time i see people ask for autographs now is footballers for tops etc
I guess. I personally don't really like selfies or an autograph per say, rather just a simple short talk and handshake would be enough for me.
Probably. After all, a celebrity is instantly recognised on a photo, whereas autographs aren’t always easy to identify
Yes, I think so, because you can buy / fake an autograph but a photo shows you’ve met them.. or you’re very good at photoshop...
I have some autographs from people I've met at special screenings and events. I've never asked for a selfie. I've only paid for one autograph, which I believe cost £15, but that included a Blu-ray, so the signature was essentially free.
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