The Autographs and Collectible Memorabilia Blog

Dennis Brain: British Horn Player

The middle decades of the twentieth century saw some tragic premature losses to British music-making: contralto Kathleen Ferrier at only 41, flautist Laurie Kennedy at just 24, and perhaps the most famous of French horn soloists, Dennis Brain. The Family Dennis Brain was born into a dynasty of French horn...

Picture Frame Glass Options for your Paper Collectibles

When it comes to picture framing, many people focus on the frame design and overlook glazing — one of the most important decisions to make in framing. Choosing the right glass for your picture frame can impact how your photos look. Also, it determines how long your collectibles will...

Belgian Opera Singers

A Selection of the Most Renowned Performers An independent country since 1830, Belgium is nested at the heart of Europe with Brussels playing host to European Union institutions, NATO and other international organizations. Due to their nation’s political and linguistic peculiarities, many Belgian artists were heralded as French or Dutch and still today, confusions...

Old Photographs: The Evolution of Photographic Formats

Old photographs and their formats. different photographic formats spanning from the beginning of the 19th century until the end of it.

Operatic Glories from the Opera-Comique

What is “Opéra Comique”? It is a French “musical genre” alternating sung passages with spoken sections, as opposed to opera, which is entirely sung (e.g. “Carmen” vs. “Tosca”). It is also a theater in Paris. From its humble inception through a royal decree by King Louis XIV (1714), to its...

Where to Sell Autographs: Things to Keep an Eye On

Here’s everything you need to know about how to sell autographs and find the best offer depending on your situation.

James Levine: Conductor and Scandal

The death of American conductor James Levine in March 2021 is inevitably marked by renewed discussion of the termination of his contract at the Metropolitan Opera due to his sexually abusive and harassing conduct towards vulnerable artists in the early stages of their careers throughout his professional life. It is...

Top 10 Famous Conductors in Classical Music and Opera

Few professions elicit more wonder, awe, and mystery than that of conductors, with only a small group of extraordinary individuals in history having dedicated their lives to this noble craft. Amongst the most curious facts about conducting, we can mention that even amongst classical musicians and regular concertgoers, the orchestra...

How to Know When an Autograph is Authentic

The most frequently asked question when authenticating historical autographs is how to tell if an autograph is real? Established and respected autograph dealers are usually taken at their word that their items for sale are genuine, and not without reason. They use their experience and expertise to follow a series...

What does Autograph Mean? and Other Burning Autograph Questions

WHAT IS AUTOGRAPH / WHAT DOES AUTOGRAPH MEAN? Autograph is a person's own handwriting or signature, it comes from Greek, meaning “Self-Written”. The word autograph is used as a synonym of someone's handwriting, but it is also used meaning handwritten FOR someone (“he autographed it to me”, meaning he...

Autograph Authentication: Where to Get Autographs Authenticated...and More

Autograph authentication is an integral part of the autograph collector’s journey in building a fine collection of signed memorabilia. Do you need to authenticate an autograph? By reading this article you will have the information required in order to know how to authenticate a signature. Autograph authentication services are provided...

14 Awesome Picture Frame Ideas for your Valuable Collectibles

There are in the market many different options of frame designs and materials, mat colors and textures, glass options, and other elements that can go into your frame choice. But that is not the end of it, here are 14 ideas that go a bit beyond the usual options of...

Yousuf Karsh – Photographer

Canadian-Armenian photographer Yousuf Karsh is widely regarded as one of the top portrait photographers of the past century. During a career that spanned more than six decades, over 20 of his photos graced the cover of LIFE magazine. However, his most recognizable photograph is a portrait of Winston Churchill from...

Where to Buy Authentic Autographs

The first question every burgeoning collector asks themselves is “where can I buy authentic autographs?” It is such a fundamental consideration as this will be the foundation upon which your collection is built, and the beginning of your journey into the fascinating and highly rewarding world of autograph collecting. There...

Top Famous Ballet Dancers

Known as one of the most beautiful artistic expressions in the world, ballet has marked a great history throughout time. This dance, considered by some people as classical dance and by others as academic dance, integrates various disciplines such as music, plastic arts, stage design, costumes, mimicry, acting, even extraordinary stories.

Enrico Caruso, His Career in Roles

Enrico Caruso´s operatic career shown in photographs, an exhibit created by Tamino Autographs.

Cosima Wagner and Antonie Petersen

The history of a friendship between Hamburg and Bayreuth So far, little or nothing was known about the close links between Richard and Cosima Wagner and the northern German city state of Hamburg. Author Claudia Graciela Petersen has recently opened her family archive in order to publish two abundantly illustrated...

Farinelli in Madrid...and an Autograph Document

The Bourbon King, Philip V, wasn't born a Spanish royal at all. He was the younger son of Louis, The Grand Dauphin, who was heir apparent to the French throne, and as he had older brothers who were directly in line, there was little expectation that he would ever rule...

Ray Kroc: His Life and “Grinding it Out”

Even if you do not recognize the name “Ray Kroc,” you will recognize the franchise that he expanded to every corner of the globe -- McDonald’s. Ray Kroc is widely considered one of the greatest American businessmen in modern times. He practically launched the fast-food industry and changed the food-service...

Louis Moreau Gottschalk - The First Great American Composer

Louis Moreau Gottschalk, american pianist and composer. His life, timeline, and career - and his autograph memorabilia

The Arturo Toscanini Tours and His Wider Repertoire

The Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini was one of the most acclaimed musical figures of the late 19th century, and through to the mid 20th century. His career included spells as director of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the NBC Symphony Orchestra...

Glossary of Autograph Terms

A glossary with the most important terms in autographs and autograph collecting

Autograph Framing Done Right - How to Frame Your Autographs Properly

With the time, patience, and resources put into acquiring that treasured autograph, the last thing you want to do is have all that eﬀort go to waste. Whether it’s an autographed photo, a marked-up historical document, or a signed movie poster, you’ll want to keep the autograph in as pristine...

Opera Memorabilia: Tosca - The Tumultuous Premiere of a Puccini Classic

Some operas seem destined to take a firm place in the repertoire from their premiere, and Tosca can certainly be said to be one of these. Tosca opera memorabilia is widely sought-after, and a new production is something that is always guaranteed to sell well, or if cast with international...

THE AUTOGRAPH BLOG

Dennis Brain: British Horn Player

Picture Frame Glass Options for your Paper Collectibles

Belgian Opera Singers

Old Photographs: The Evolution of Photographic Formats

Operatic Glories from the Opera-Comique

Where to Sell Autographs: Things to Keep an Eye On

Here’s everything you need to know about how to sell autographs and find the best offer depending on your situation.

James Levine: Conductor and Scandal

Top 10 Famous Conductors in Classical Music and Opera

How to Know When an Autograph is Authentic

What does Autograph Mean? and Other Burning Autograph Questions

Autograph Authentication: Where to Get Autographs Authenticated...and More

14 Awesome Picture Frame Ideas for your Valuable Collectibles

Yousuf Karsh – Photographer

Where to Buy Authentic Autographs

Top Famous Ballet Dancers

Enrico Caruso, His Career in Roles

Cosima Wagner and Antonie Petersen

Farinelli in Madrid...and an Autograph Document

Ray Kroc: His Life and “Grinding it Out”

Louis Moreau Gottschalk - The First Great American Composer

The Arturo Toscanini Tours and His Wider Repertoire

Glossary of Autograph Terms

Autograph Framing Done Right - How to Frame Your Autographs Properly

Opera Memorabilia: Tosca - The Tumultuous Premiere of a Puccini Classic

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Autograph Collecting Guide

Framing and Storing Autographs