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February, 2020 The Antique Shoppe Page 29
North Lake Blvd.
Mike Ivankovich is bringing What’s It Worth Appraisal Events to the following
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WHAT’S IT WORTH ANTIQUES MINUTE cities February 1 - March 15. See the Event calendar for details, visit
Blue Heron Blvd
www.michaelivankovichMEETINGSPEAKER.com, or call 215-264-4304
BY: Mike Ivankovich Feb 5: Dunedin Public Library Greenwood Ave. Mar 1: Clearwater Public Library
MLK Jr Blvd.
Feb 15: Braden River Library, Bradenton FL Mar 5: So Manatee Library, Bradenton FL
Feb 26: Rocky Bluff Library, Ellenton FL Mar 7: North Port Library, North Port FL
How Much is an Illegible Autograph Worth? Feb 27: Island Beach Library, Holmes Bch FL Mar 11: Tara Country Club, Bradenton FL
Ivankovich is host of Philadelphia’s WBCB 1490 AM’s Ask Mike the Appraiser
Radio Show. Join him every Friday for another week of “What’s It Worth?”
Congress
from 9:30-10:30 AM on WBCB 1490 AM. Or on: www.WBCB1490.com
Palm Bch Lakes Blvd. Flagler
N. Ocean Blvd.
Upcoming Radio Shows: FEB 7: Mike and Bruce Causey, Editor of Antique
Shoppe Newspaper will discuss “Antiquing in Florida”.
Okeechobee Blvd.

rtists are notorious for creating a beautiful artwork, and then signing it Belvedere Blvd. Flagler Dr.
Awith an unreadable and illegible signature. Although frustrating to me as LAKE WORTH
an appraiser, the value of the artwork is far more important than just the artist’s Southern Blvd
signature, which is secondary. A1A BKG
However, a recent letter-to-the-editor in a sports magazine caught my Summit Blvd Antique Mall
attention. The writer was complaining that all too many Sports Stars were 95
charging a fee for signing autographs that were completely illegible. In the Jog Rd Dixie Hwy. Come in and see all our
Antiques & Collectibles
old days, when Babe Ruth signed an autograph, you knew it was Babe Ruth’s. Federal Hwy. Open 7 Days A Week - Call For Hours
The writer further complained that a famous player recently charged full price 10th Ave. Congress Ave. ••••
for an autograph that was so illegible that you couldn’t tell whether it was in 2nd WE MAKE THE PAST A
English or Japanese. Lucerne
It’s not just Sports Stars. The same holds true for Authors, Celebrities, Lake Worth Road . Lake PERFECT PRESENT!
Politicians, Movie Stars, Musicians, Historical Figures or anyone else famous 1 Ave Vendor Display Cases
whose autographs command value. If you can’t read it, if it must be interpreted Malaleuca Ln Available for Rent!
in order to sell it, should it still command a premium price? Should it have any 32 Dixie Highway
Lake Worth, FL 33466
value at all? (561)533-7707 Fax (561)533-7578
And how about those famous person signatures which were actually signed Lantana Rd Ocean Ave janetdesigns@gmail.com
by the boss’s secretary, assistant, staff, or signature-writing machine? How can 1
you be certain the autograph is authentic, and does it also have value? Hypoluxo Rd
.
What determines the value of autographs? Generally such things as:
• Who signed it? How much in demand is that person’s signature today? COOPER CITY
• What was signed? A historically important document? A standard press WHAT THE ADMIRES, THE  DESIRES
photo? Or a napkin at a restaurant? Vintage Jewelry, Furniture, Glass,
• How was it signed? Pen, Pencil, Sharpie, or Magic Marker? Pencil is usually Artwork, Collectibles, Linens,
the least desirable. Silver, China & Porcelain
• When was it signed? At the individual’s career peak, or long after retirement 33 Years Same Location
when they were no longer important or relevant. 25 Dealers Under One Roof
Estates Liquidated
• How well-remembered is that person today? Athletes who never made it,
TV stars on long-forgotten series, or low-middle level politicians? These may The Fine Lion Antiques
9564 Griffin Rd.
never have much collectible value. Cooper City, FL 33328 2 1
• Condition? This will be extremely important. 954-680-6141 • 305-733-5333
• Is the autograph legible? This is also extremely important, at least to me.
• Can the Autograph be guaranteed with a 100% certainty? Again, this is OPEN 7 DAYS
Mon-Sat 10:30-6:00
hugely important. Sun 12:00-4:30 or by Appt.
• How many are available? Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs was a great ball Mention this ad
player who signed an autograph for nearly anyone who asked. Because he was for a FREE Gift
such a nice guy, his autographs command far less than others who signed fewer 1
autographs, because he signed so many.
• How many fakes are out there? An excessive number of fakes within the
marketplace can kill demand for specific legitimate autographs.
Personally I agree with the Letter-to-the-Editor writer. If you can’t read it, it’s
not worth nearly as much as a legible autograph. And I will never pay for such
an autograph. But that’s just my opinion. What do you think?
WHAT’S IT WORTH: Recently I purchased a grouping of mostly illegible
autographs of professional boxers from the 1980’s. My client’s husband had We are a 10,000 sq/ft multi-dealer Antique Mall carrying antiques to meet every taste.
collected these from boxing matches he attended in Atlantic City Casinos. Most Cooper City Antique Mall believes in all the R’s
were low level boxing card chumps who never made it very far, and who are Rescue - Repair - Reuse - Repurpose - Recycle - Reduce
remembered by no one today. Value is basically zero because no one wants Re-Invent - Re-Imagine
them. There was a “Jersey Joe Walcott” autograph, signed well after his fighting Antique Furniture and Decorative Accessories dating back to the 18th century.
days were over, signed on a blank partial piece of paper, worth perhaps $50- Also Jewelry, Glassware, Textiles, China, Porcelain, Collectibles, Paintings & Prints, Lamps,
$100 if I could find anyone still interested in professional boxing today (can we Chandeliers, Architectural, Iron & Garden Accessories plus so much more!
say UFC?). And is anyone the least bit interested in “Jersey Joe Walcott? today? OPEN 7 DAYS — DEALER SPACE AVAILABLE
Maybe I’ll try eBay and see what happens. 9800 Griffin Road, Cooper City, FL 33328 954-252-0788
www.coopercityantiquemall.com 2