Celebrity autographs can be great investments, if you know how to buy them. Here are some pointers.

Spotting fake autographs. Establishing authenticity can be a huge problem when dealing with celebrity autographs, especially because many celebrities change their signatures frequently.

The best protection is still common sense if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Check for the spelling. Many fakes spell the names of celebrities incorrectly Cate Blanchett fakes are sometimes spelled Kate Blanchett, for example. Also check the material. Do not expect a supposedly original Bruce lee autograph on laser-printed pictures to be real, because Bruce did not live long enough to see laser printers.

Note that there are such things as secretarials, or autographs signed and mailed by celebrities assistants for them. These kinds of autographs are worthless do not bother to invest in them.

Some celebrities keep track of the signatures they give out over time. They keep a list of people who have asked for autographs for authentication purposes. The famous boxer George Foreman, for example, keeps a record of the names and addresses of each individual who writes him asking for an autograph. He says he does this to know if the request comes from a genuine fan, or from a dealer who only wants more autographs to put up for sale.

Understanding value. Not all celebrity autographs will appreciate in value. If you are a serious collector and would like to make money from your autographs, make sure to buy only those with high market potential. Autographs from notorious celebrities, celebrities who died tragically at a young age, and celebrities with controversial backgrounds are very attractive investments for collectors. For example, the autographs of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, who not only died young but also led outrageous lifestyles, are much-coveted. Invest in such pieces, and you will surely make a profit.