Autographed Books

by Pat
(New Hampshire, USA)

My most recent find was a copy of Barbara Bush's Memoirs that is autographed in black Sharpie marker on the title page.

I paid $1.50 for it, and immediately verified the signature -- I found pictures of her signature online from the Easton Press signed edition of the book. I have copied that picture and put it inside my own copy of the book.

I also discovered that the autograph is not a particularly hot seller in online auctions, but I enjoy owning the autographed book anyway.

This is how I found it: Autographed books are another great thing to look for in thrift stores.

Check any book in genres you enjoy, but note that the most likely finds are in non-fiction. Some signed editions are leatherbound, and if the store is unaware that an Easton Press or Franklin Mint edition may be worth considerable money, it will turn up among the regular books.

Many signed books have a bookstore sticker noting that this is an autographed copy. Yet more often, you need to look at the title page: signatures are typically there between the title and the author's name.

Look particularly at local authors, political figures who may have toured your area, and other authors who are known to do book signings.