Only Fools and Horses Signed Memorabilia Guide

Whose signatures matter

David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst are the most common signatures, often signed together. Lennard Pearce, who played Grandad, died in 1984, and Buster Merryfield, Uncle Albert, died in 1999. John Sullivan, the creator and writer, died in 2011. Pieces combining several of these names are the most sought after, and the most carefully worth checking.

• Del Boy and Rodney pairs are the core of most collections
• Grandad or Uncle Albert signatures add scarcity
• Creator-signed pieces appeal to fans of the writing
• Five-cast pieces gather names that rarely signed together

Famous scenes on montages

Montages usually frame signed photographs with printed stills from moments fans know by heart: the chandelier drop, the Batman and Robin run and the Trotters' yellow Reliant Regal. The printed images are there for the story; the value lies in the signed element, which the description should name clearly.

What to check

For a piece claiming Lennard Pearce or Buster Merryfield, the signature must have been obtained during their lifetimes, usually on a photograph or card that was later framed. Ask when and how, and whether any original photograph or paperwork supports it. On pieces with David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, compare each signature separately rather than judging the pair as a whole.

Whatever you buy from us arrives with the WDW Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Derek Warwick, and it remains valid for as long as you own the item.

As a gift

Only Fools is one of the most popular choices for birthdays and retirements because nearly everyone of a certain age can quote it. A framed montage arrives ready to hang, and tracked UK delivery is a flat £25. You can also see pieces at our shop at 87 Princes Street, Southend-on-Sea.

Caring for a framed piece

Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from damp exterior walls. Signed photographs fade faster than printed stills, so a piece that has hung in a bright room for years can look uneven. Ultraviolet-filtering glass is the simplest protection.

Cast pieces versus single signatures

A single David Jason signature is the easiest way into the subject and suits a smaller wall. Multi-cast pieces cost more because they gather names that were signed separately over many years, sometimes including cast members who have since died. Neither is the better choice; it depends on whether you want one character or the whole Trotter household.

When comparing two montages that look similar, read the descriptions side by side. Differences in which photographs are signed often explain differences in price far better than the frame or the size.