Autograph

Autograph (Gr.), something written in a person's own handwriting, and not by an amanuensis, whether a mere signature or a whole manuscript, as opposed to a copy. From the 16th century onwards, but especially in modern times, the collection of autographs has become an object of eager pursuit; and consequently since 1801 they have formed a branch of literary trade. The value of autographs is determined by the interest felt in the writer, the scarcity of such relics of him, and the contents of the writing. Besides portraits of famous persons, we naturally wish to possess a specimen of their handwriting, as the peculiarity of the style—the physiognomy of the handwriting—completes our knowledge of their personality. In 1858 a signature of Shakespeare was purchased by the British Museum for 300 guineas; whilst at the Joy sale in 1887 a letter of Defoe's, indorsed by Sir Walter Scott, fetched £65. Lithography is particularly serviceable in this matter, not only by supplying fac-similes for biographical and historical works and for portraits, but also by multiplying impressions of collected autographs. Such have been published in England by Nichols (1829), and in Germany by Wasmuth (1885). But deserving mention before all others are the Isographie des Hommes Célèbres (4 vols. Paris, 1843); the collection of French autographs by Delpech (1832), and of German by Schlottmann (3d ed. 1858). There have been works published containing the sign-manuals of distinguished musicians, of the great poets, &c. Forgeries of autographs are not infrequent. All Europe took a lively interest in the autographs of the most eminent men of all times from Cæsar downwards possessed and partly published by M. Chasles, until in 1867 that eminent mathematician had to own he had been duped by a forger. See Fontaines, Manuel de l'Amateur d'Autographes (1836); and Günther and Schulz, Handbuch für Autographensammler (1856). Charavay started in 1862 a periodical called L'Amateur d'Autographes; and List and Francke in 1884 the monthly Mitteilungen für Autographensammler.