The Complete Guide to Autographs: A Historical Overview
We know that literacy was far lower when acknowledged autograph collecting first began. Much of the nation lacked the ability to read and write. The majority of Americans worked the land. It wasn’t until 1815 that autograph collecting in the United States really took off. Newspaper records indicate that the first notable Americans to begin collecting autographs were William Sprague of Albany and Israel Tefft of Savannah.
Literacy was not crucial for subsistence since people relied on the land for their livelihood. Neither transportation nor communication has yet matured to their current stages. A certain level of literacy was thus required prior to engaging in signature collecting. Having the capacity to write was a measure of one’s social and economic standing in the colonial era. The idea was that the script’s style would reflect your socioeconomic status. The chance to learn to write was denied to women who were not part of the upper class and black slaves. However, it was still advocated that white men in the business world acquire literacy skills.
Autograph collection became popular in the United States when the percentage of white Americans able to read and write rose close to 100%. Graphology, the study of handwriting, exploded in popularity in the decades following the Civil War and far into the 20th century. The growing fascination with uniqueness contributed to autograph collecting’s meteoric rise in popularity among Americans. People in the United States aspired to stand out from the crowd in the early 1900s.
Aside from collecting autographs, handwriting was a highly sought-after and popular form of individuality. Holding their breath, people eagerly awaited the arrival of the mailman, hoping to find a letter from a loved one. The use of stamps and the mail allowed for cheap communication. Everyone tried, in their own way, to acquire the ability to read and write.
Those in the early days of collecting autographs highly valued any and all signatures. Preserving our heritage through writing has always been crucial. Thus, one of the first ways to acquire historical artifacts was to acquire autographs. Manuscripts written by hand were highly prized because typesetting was not as advanced as it is now. An autograph, in its broadest definition, is a handwritten manuscript.
Early on, people realized that collecting autographs was a great way to preserve history—not only political history, but history in all its forms, from art and literature to inventions and music. When you hold a fragment of history in your hands, it seems to come to life. Historically, autographs were considered a subset of document collecting, which included letters, notes, and other written correspondence. At this period, autographs with a signature were the most affordable option.
Books signed by the author, letters (both handwritten and typed), contracts and checks, manuscripts (brief passages written out), photographs (of any size) signed by the subject, presidential land grants, and signatures are all part of the history of autograph collecting. A passion for reliving bygone times gave rise to the hobby of collecting autographs. As a kind of collecting, it has been around for a long time and is still highly rewarding today.