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• Where the number of signatures is limited;
• Condition is mint;
• The material enhances the value;
• Dated or where it can be linked to a specific event.

Clearly, the signature needs to be genuine. Sadly, there are many copies, often traded on Internet sites. Until really familiar with your subject, it is advisable to buy at auction or through dealers who have specialist expertise in the area.

Such specialists have even been known to consult the person concerned if they are alive or their personal assistant.

Sometimes fans believe for decades that they hold a genuine signature. Perhaps their autograph book was handed in to the stage door at a concert. The sheer volume of requests made it impossible for the pop stars to sign in person and they asked their road staff to impersonate for them.

On timing, look ahead for book and film launches as suddenly an author or actor can become fashionable. Ahead of the next Olympics, there will be autograph hunters already seeking examples from potential medal winners.

Music subjects are some of the most sought after. They are not necessarily modern.

A signed head and shoulders sepia portrait of the Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt is offered at £1,200 by Fraser's Autographs, a specialist dealer who also holds auctions. They are part of Stanley Gibbons.

Bartok music is internationally known and considered one of the last great composers of the 20th century. An autographed musical quotation in very fine condition is £3,550 with the same dealer.

Signed photographs are often the medium used. One from Puccini at the time he had to leave his home at Torre del Lago and move to Viareggio commands £1,200 whilst a black and white of Frank Sinatra costs £1,300-£1,500.

Fashion dictates prices in many sectors. Few would have heard and certainly not collected the signature of F1 driver, Lewis Hamilton, 12 months ago.

In modern music, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Sir Elton John (signed photographs, each £175) and Madonna and U2/Bono (each £195) are the five most in demand, according to Hamilton Bland, a leading autograph dealer who trades as Autographs of the World.

The launch last week of the latest Harry Potter film puts collectors onto such stars as Daniel Radcliffe. Even a promotional color postcard for an earlier film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, signed by Radcliffe, can cost £325-£370.

To gain a signature and impressively a dedication from JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is serious money. A first edition of the initial book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, dedicated to "David", realized £27,370 at Bloomsbury Auctions in May.

The golden age of Hollywood has a distinct following. A magazine photograph of Katharine Hepburn with her autograph in black felt pen ink is offered at £975 (Fraser) whilst a 1970 dating by Mae West across a photograph costs £425. Some folding and crease lines as well as faint ink smudging on the latter have reduced the price.

Often film stars would personalize their autographs. A photograph of Gene Kelly inscribed "To Telly, Good Luck" is £495 whilst a sepia toned black and white from Clark Gable to Eleanor, mounted and framed, is £1,250.

In the world of sport, Bland says his top sellers are Cristiano Ronaldo, Steve Gerrard (both £150), Lewis Hamilton and Martin Johnson (£175) and Muhammad Ali (£450).

If your taste is more towards materials associated with the individual, Graham Budd holds frequent auctions, notably concentrating on music and sport, such as footballer's boots or sweat shirts.

David Beckham and Wayne Rooney continue to be a popular autograph (£150) but are not yet in the price league of Pele (£475) or on his shirt (£950).

Statesmen have global appeal. Signed photographs by Churchill (£2,500) and President John F Kennedy (£1,750) have probably doubled in price in six years.

Whilst Margaret Thatcher's autograph on a photograph commands at least £195, American leaders appear to be even more sought after.

A typed and signed letter from Richard Nixon (£1,500) and a signed magazine cover from Ronald Reagan (£1,250) show the strength of the collecting market in the United States.

A typed letter signed by Kennedy when he was a US senator, referring to his wedding and honeymoon, typically costs £3,000 as the subject is rare.

Even dictators have followers for their autographs. Cuban leader Fidel Castro's signed document in Spanish, recognizing the country's fencing coach in 2002, is offered at £2,350 (Fraser).

Royal material is relatively scarce. Diana, Princess of Wales, is probably the most sought after. A signed photograph can be £4,000, which has doubled in eight years. A hand-written letter dated 1990 concerning a property is offered at £3,500.

Examples of Queen Victoria's hand appear at regional and national auctions. The subject matter is important. A letter addressed to her brother, informing him about the birth of a fourth daughter, Princess Louise, accompanied by the original envelope, is offered by £1,500.

Some of the responses from noted individuals clearly add to the value. Einstein's 1946 typed and signed response to the Chicago Daily News is a classic: "Unfortunately, I am not able to spare the time to write the desired contribution for your paper."

Little may he have realized that such a letter would today command £4,000.

Even dictators have followers for their autographs. Cuban leader Fidel Castro's signed document in Spanish, recognizing the country's fencing coach in 2002, is offered at £2,350

A letter from one of our readers:

My name is Michael Ragsdale and I have been a collector of in-person, event-specific, group and individual autographs in New York City for several years - most often secured on official programs and other handouts while present at a wide variety of public and private occasions. I started doing this "for fun" in February 1997 with the autograph of actor Barry Bostwick at a book talk at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, but became much more serious about it beginning September 11, 2001.

The following describes a recent success story - my recollection of how I captured several signatures while at a New York Republican State Committee dinner held the evening of May 17th at the Sheraton New York.

Once again an annual event, this NYRSC meeting featured the singing of the national anthem by America's beloved tenor, Daniel Rodriguez and speeches by New York State Senator Joe Bruno, conservative Bill Bennett, presidential candidates John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, and others.

With a copy of the lone event handout in hand, a letter from Committee Chairman Joseph Mondello thanking everyone for their financial support, I scoured both the pre-event reception and huge dinner crowd hoping to gain the signatures of some of New York's GOP powerful and/or their invited guests.

My first acquisition was of Dr. Frank Luntz, who was recently named the "hottest pollster in America" by the Boston Globe. Also described as a language and public opinion guru in his new book, "Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear", Luntz is sought by CEOs of Fortune 100 companies, world leaders and political candidates for his expertise - including "America's Mayor", Rudy Giuliani. Luntz was easy to spot because he drew a great deal of attention at the reception, and was not wearing a suit and tie.

Next, I got Bill Bennett, who served as President Reagan's chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities from 1981-1985, later the Secretary of Education, and then as President Bush's "drug czar" from 1989-1990. Presently he is a senior adviser at the Claremont Institute's Americans For Victory Over Terrorism project. Accompanied by one of his sons, Bennett signed after I reminded him we had worked together at Columbia University's Miller Theater on February 12, 2003 when he was touting President Bush's U.S. invasion of Iraq. He said he remembered that night and how the location venue had to be changed in order to accommodate the larger-then-expected young conservative audience.

A few minutes later I got the signature of Senator Bruno who appeared surprised someone was asking for his autograph. But after signing, he thanked me and patted me on a shoulder.

My next acquisition came sort of unexpectedly, and quickly, and inthe following manner:

Around a half hour later and few minutes prior to the start of the dinner and speeches, I stood near the podium looking over the huge ballroom crowd. I was a little frustrated because I couldn't find an attendee I had spotted earlier - radio personality and Guardian Angels founder, Curtis Sliwa. Suddenly, to the right of me, amidst a mob of photographers, camera flashes, aides and security, I saw Rudy Giuliani heading directly toward me.

So what did I do? I immediately put away the flyer I was gaining signatures on; placed it carefully into a folder I was carrying; and pulled out a colorful Alexander Hamilton Award program I had been saving for this exact opportunity.

On April 26, 2006, author Tom Wolfe and Rudy Giuliani were honored by the Manhattan Institute for their "helping to foster the revitalization of our nation's cities" at the fifth Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner, a prestigious black tie fundraiser. I brought it with me that evening just in case I got to speak with the former embattled-turned-hero New York City mayor.

With program and a marker in hand I took a few steps toward Giuliani and asked if I could have his autograph. Then, in the matter of seconds, and with camera flashes continuing, he said "of course I will" and stopped; took it from me and placed it on a folder he was carrying; I then asked if he remembered it from a year ago; he said "of course I do"; an aide to Giuliani stepped in and held three markers for him to choose from; he grabbed one and signed my program; I said "thank you"; and then Giuliani and the mob, amidst more camera flashes continued past me in the direction of the head dinner table.

I stood there for awhile, somewhat stunned at what had just taken place, I suppose, because it happened so quickly. Also so my eyes would recover from the barrage of flashes. Finally I became very pleased at what had just occurred.

So, somewhere in the huge digital photo/commercial media world there are pictures of me with Rudy Giuliani documenting this autograph signing moment. If you ever come across any of them, let me know.

A few minutes later, on the event handout, I got the autograph of another speaker, Monsigner Jim Lisante, author, regular opinion contributor to Fox News Channel and ABC Eyewitness News, and the pastor of Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Hempstead, NY.

And long after the meeting was over I did finally catch up to Curtis Sliwa and get his signature, while talking with him in the Sheraton parking garage as we waited for the arrival of our vehicles. But I didn't get Senator McCain's. I didn't even get close to him.

I hope you enjoyed my story. Let Autogram know if you liked it and wouldn't object to reading more of my New York City autograph collecting anecdotes.

Take care.

Michael Ragsdale
New York City Autograph Collector