Fixed supply, moving demand
A living signatory can always sign more. Once that stops, the pool only shrinks as pieces are damaged, lost or absorbed into long-term collections. That is the structural reason historic names such as Bobby Moore, George Best and Freddie Mercury behave differently to current stars.
Why forgery risk rises too
Scarcity attracts forgers, and the signatory can no longer be asked. Provenance, exemplar comparison and dealer accountability matter far more on deceased names than on modern signings.
What tends to hold up best
Signatures on imagery directly associated with the person's defining achievement, in stable ink, well presented and with documentation, consistently outperform casual signatures on unrelated items.
Need a straight answer on a specific piece?
Send photographs and we'll give you an honest opinion — whether you're buying, selling or simply curious. You can also visit us at 87 Princes Street, Southend-on-Sea, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm.