Autographs have always been a popular arena for collectors of film memorabilia, and as such, an ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ is a much sought after addition to any collection. The most valuable type of autograph is a signed photograph, such as an 8x10, and is obviously the most expensive. Signed paper is slightly less expensive.

Be aware of secretarial signatures, pre-printed signatures, and autopen signatures. By the end of the 1940’s, over nine hundred letters arrived weekly at the studio for the young ingénue, so Elizabeth surely had some help from the studio secretaries in keeping up! Pre-printed autographs are photographs that have been signed once and then mass-produced. These were often sent out by MGM to autograph collectors of the 1940s and 1950s. Autopen machines reproduce a signature onto an individual photograph or piece of paper.

Forgeries are an unfortunate part of collecting autographs. While even the most seasoned collector can never be entirely certain that what they are purchasing is authentic, it’s still very important to do your research before making such a large investment. eBay, while wonderful for collecting other memorabilia, is littered with listings for forged autographs of not only Elizabeth, but other celebrities, too. A signature obtained in person is the most desirable because there is no doubt of its authenticity. Elizabeth has always been a gracious signer in person, trying her best to appease the mobs of fans that are ever present. This is probably because Elizabeth herself loved to collect autographs, obtaining the signatures of many stars in the MGM commissary! But as Dame Elizabeth’s appearances are increasingly rare, this way of obtaining an autograph is difficult, so it’s important to have an understanding of her signature and how it has evolved over the years.

Elizabeth has been a star since she was ten, so her signature matured and changed as she did. If you come across an autograph for sale, first compare it to other examples from the period that you can be certain are authentic. These include the cover of 2002 reissue of Elizabeth’s book, Nibbles and Me, which contains the young star’s autograph printed on the cover (the inside also contains several examples of Elizabeth’s handwriting); Elizabeth’s signature in cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood; the packaging of White Diamonds perfume; and the book The Queen and I by Gianni Bozzacchi, which contains several photographs of Elizabeth by Bozzacchi, and signed to the acclaimed photographer. Elizabeth also signed autographs for the popular fan magazines of the day, who would go on to reprint them in their magazines for their readers. All of these examples should help you in your search for an authentic Elizabeth Taylor autograph. The most important thing to remember is to trust your gut. If you feel uncertain about an autograph for sale, don’t buy it! There will always be others for sale.