Removing signed pages from books

[Gary Dunaier]

My first thought was that the signed book should stay intact, but Exhibitman's comment about the John Cleese book made me realize that when it comes to newer books that aren't "collectible," that's a different story. And the benefit with newer books is that if you can attend the signing, you know the signature is real because you're witnessing it being done - but if you can't make it, you might be able to browse through a stock of signed books and find an autograph you like.

[Runscott]

Gary, this is a 1925 first edition. I will almost certainly frame it in a shadowbox, intact.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Gary, this is a 1925 first edition. I will almost certainly frame it in a shadowbox, intact.

I think that's the way to go.

For me it would really depend on the book and signature and condition.
A modern book that's readily available from a signing? Cut away.
A totally mangled copy of a book that happens to be signed, maybe with a nice signature? Probably also one to cut.

Older stuff that's still nice I think the combination is better than the individual bits.

It will make for a bit of challenging framing, but will probably be well worth the effort.

Steve B

[Runscott]

Steve - see 'March pickups' for pics ('Coaching' by Rockne). The book arrived after my initial post and was too nice to mess with. I ended up just restoring the dust jacket and protecting the signed page.

[bgar3]

Excellent decision, that is a great association copy.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Steve - see 'March pickups' for pics ('Coaching' by Rockne). The book arrived after my initial post and was too nice to mess with. I ended up just restoring the dust jacket and protecting the signed page.

That's really nice!


Steve B

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

My first thought was that the signed book should stay intact, but Exhibitman's comment about the John Cleese book made me realize that when it comes to newer books that aren't "collectible," that's a different story. And the benefit with newer books is that if you can attend the signing, you know the signature is real because you're witnessing it being done - but if you can't make it, you might be able to browse through a stock of signed books and find an autograph you like.

It really depends. About 20 years ago I was in NYC on vacation and stopped in at the Guggenheim soho. The main museum had just hosted a Roy Lichtenstein lifetime retrospective. I saw the catalogs for sale and asked if they had any signed ones. They did. For the same price as the unsigned. I got one and did not cut that out, which is good because the signed catalog sells for more than a cut signature.

And yes I wish I'd thought to buy every one they had.