An autograph is a document written entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one transcribed by an amanuensis or a copyist; the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph. As the word is used by non-historians, it has come to mean a person's signature. This term is used in particular for the practice of collecting autographs of celebrities. The collection of autographs is also known as philography.

Customs

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In East Asia, an autograph from famous gentry is regarded as an honour. The value of an item bearing a high official's autograph could rise incredibly. In imperial China, an autograph from an emperor was priceless but selling an item bearing it could be a criminal offense.

In Europe and North America, asking for a celebrity's autograph used to be seen as a child's activity up to only a few decades ago. The boom of collecting autographs as a hobby came during the 1980s, and, as a consequence, many memorabilia dealers took notice, and what used to be an innocent hobby lost that innocence as both dealers and celebrities began to charge money for their signatures (especially on personal checks).

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Redskins Night at CFC student ministries tonight & 6:30! Come meet 10 redskins players, hear about their lives & get autographs! C U There!
Pastordust (Dusty Decker) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:08:07 -0000
Redskins Night at CFC student ministries tonight & 6:30! Come meet 10 redskins players, hear about their lives & get autographs! C U There!
Live in or around the Dallas,TX area? Mark Ryan will be signing autographs there today, Nov 4. Click for details! http://tinyurl.com/yhb4yzx
Peaugh (Benjamin Dolle) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:07:49 -0000
Live in or around the Dallas,TX area? Mark Ryan will be signing autographs there today, Nov 4. Click for details! http://tinyurl.com/yhb4yzx
@MichaelSaucedo ur welcome, by the way thanx for taking time at SSW08 to take pics & sign autographs 4 fans while ur wife was doing the same
mickey4minnie (mickey4minnie) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:05:31 -0000
@MichaelSaucedo ur welcome, by the way thanx for taking time at SSW08 to take pics & sign autographs 4 fans while ur wife was doing the same
We have been collecting sports cards, comics and collectibles since 1987. Unique relics and autographs http://bit.ly/3Gt1ta
BaxterBog (Patricia Bue) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:04:00 -0000
We have been collecting sports cards, comics and collectibles since 1987. Unique relics and autographs http://bit.ly/3Gt1ta
http://twitpic.com/o9e4q - Peter Andre signs autographs at the World Film Premiere of Disney's 'A Christmas Carol'
DisneyMoviesUK (Disney Movies) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:03:58 -0000
http://twitpic.com/o9e4q - Peter Andre signs autographs at the World Film Premiere of Disney's 'A Christmas Carol'
Watch Mario Andretti Singing Autographs Live at the MagnaFlow SEMA booth: http://www.magnaflowtv.com/
Magnaflow (Magnaflow Exhaust) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:01:52 -0000
Watch Mario Andretti Singing Autographs Live at the MagnaFlow SEMA booth: http://www.magnaflowtv.com/

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