There are many things that can establish emotional connections between people. One of those is autographed merchandise and literature. Autographed books particularly give that personalized feeling when it is in the possession of a book owner. The idea of this blog is to understand that emotional and personalized connection because it is a passion of many people to collect signed books. Authors understand the importance it gives to the owners, and therefore they participate in book signing activities. Stores sell specially-signed books, and those come at a premium price. Today, we will look into identifying originally signed books versus fakes and preserving them so you can enjoy these for life.

Personalized Value

Autographed books signify that the author personally signed them for you, and it becomes a matter of pride and honor. It is a chance to own a piece of literary history. Signed books sell at higher prices because that signature adds to the value of the book. You will understand below why that is the case.

The first reason is scarcity. Such books are rare, and their value rises as their copies decrease. When the author is a huge name, their value rises even higher. For example, a signed copy of one of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling is going to be an extremely popular and valuable collector’s item. Furthermore, the more mint condition a book is in, the further valuable it becomes. In fact, the earliest editions are of even greater value.

Emotional Connection between Author and Reader

Signed books become a prized memento that translates into an emotional connection between authors and readers. The signature itself shows how much effort and creativity was put into writing the book. It also shows that the author has a place in the reader’s world and life, and he or she will therefore value it with their life.

Physical Connection

Authors attend book signings to have their personal moments with fans and show appreciation for their support. Readers get delighted when they talk about their experiences and interactions when they have their books signed. It builds a much stronger community sense too.

Maintenance

Such a prized possession should be handled with extreme care so it can be preserved for a lifetime. The preservation also extends to maintaining its value and integrity. For starters, you should store these books away from direct sunlight and moisture in a cool and dry location. You could reduce deterioration by using acid-free materials, including book covers or storage boxes. The signature is what sets your book apart from other copies, so keep your hands away from it to prevent any oils from smearing or fading. Sudden temperature changes can bend or shatter the book, so keeping it in a place with a consistent temperature is best.

Authentication

The best way to get a signed copy is through a book signing, where you can meet and greet the author and take a picture with him or her as added authenticity with the book in hand. However, that is not an option available because the author could have passed away, or there is no way to get your book signed physically. You could get scammed with a fake signed copy if you do not buy it from authorized sources. Therefore, you should purchase it from a reliable and trusted source and obtain a certificate of authenticity (COA). You can compare that signature with the author’s previous works and investigate the book’s source by tracking ownership history. You can go further by confirming the authenticity through qualified appraisers and specialists. Hopefully, the process is not as cumbersome, and your autographed copy is absolutely legitimate.

Through this blog, you have understood how important these books are for collectors, authors, and readers. Autographed books are physical reminders of the literary word and get us closer to authors’ creative processes. If you truly value your signed copies, you should know now that it is imperative that you take the requisite safeguards to authenticate and take care of them. If you do it correctly, you can keep these prized possessions for life.

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