Why do you buy autographs?

For most buyers it’s probably a matter of hero worship.

But it doesn’t hurt when they go up in price.

And, investing and trading are rewarding on their own terms.

Building the best autograph collection automatically gets you the most valuable.

We follow autograph values closely.

It’s our job.

You can see the index we keep here.

All those names should be familiar.

And one of two theoretical physicists on the list, which speaks well of the broad-minded interests of autograph collectors, is among the most familiar of all.

Albert Einstein. Just “Einstein” in conversational English he’s so well known.

And the returns are wonderful.

643% growth since the index’s start date in 2000.

Average annual growth of 28% over the index’s life, with a healthy 8% in the year to 2023.

Why should that be?

Knowing what makes Einstein so attractive can help you pick great buys for your autograph collection.

1. World changing

There’s no getting around it, I know very little about theoretical physics.

Ask me to name 10 practitioners of the science and I might struggle to get three out (Stephen Hawking, who’s also on this list would be my second).

Almost everyone has heard of Albert Einstein. And I've been aware of him for almost all of my life. 

Because he changed the world.

Einstein was stumbling towards The Unifying Theory of Everything when he produced the Theory of General Relativity.

Einstein hated war, but he helped describe the chain reaction that wiped out two Japanese cities at the end of World War II. 

This is all beyond me, but the American Museum of Natural History tells us: “But Einstein's dream did not die with him; the quest for the Grand Unified Theory is one of the hottest topics pursued in physics today. Einstein's work laid the foundation for much of the research into the evolution of the universe as well as modern technology, including lasers and computer chips. His enduring legacy will continue to inspire generations of great thinkers.”

E=mc2 explains why nuclear bombs do what they do. It's the only equation you'll find in pop lyrics and every day conversation. 

And it's Einstein's work. 

Einstein ended up adamantly opposed to nuclear weapons, but he facilitated the US’s reaction to a potential Nazi bomb.

Lots of scientists should have much higher profiles because of the impact of their work.

The impact of Einstein’s is largely accepted and larger than life. 

2. A moral and interesting man

As the Nazis engulfed the world in war, Einstein was helping to save Jewish refugees from the genocidal regime. An extraordinary document you could own now.  

Had Einstein remained a simply scientific actor I don’t think he would have the profile he has today.

But he was an active political figure throughout his life.

Much of this activity relates to his Jewish identity.

In 1933 he extended a tour of America to indefinite exile from his native Germany as the Nazis came to power.

Einstein was a formidable foe for Hitler’s regime, and a not inconsiderable factor in the defeat of the Axis.

Einstein's life as a refugee from the Nazis as the US becomes the world's greatest power and a Cold War with Soviet communist starts is a 20th century odyssey. 

His views were complex and deeply considered, often in writing: his socialism, his pacifism, his views on Israel...

3. High quality documents

Any debate around Einstein's views is sourced through his writings.

Aside from the usual scientific papers, Einstein was a prolific personal and professional writer. 

He penned (and typed) many important letters, both scientifically and politically.

Look at the name’s given to these documents, and their prices:

The “atomic bomb letter”, for $3.9 million. Sold earlier this year.

The “relativity document” for £9.7 million. Sold in 2021.

The “God letter” for $2.9 million. Sold in 2018.

Many of Einstein’s papers are in libraries and archives.

And institutional interest in important documents is a driver of high prices.

But Einstein also wrote back to fans - a theoretical physicist getting fan mail” - and friends, and we rate signed letters with a baseline price of around £13,000 in 2023.

Einstein signed this lovely portrait sent to him by an admiring artist. You could own it now. 

4. High popular public profile and likability.

One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover of course.

But we do.

And Einstein looks nice.

Those famous images of him (and there are a lot, and they’re very collectible) show twinkling eyes and usually a smile.

He’s also very much the model of the archetypal scientist - any number of comedians and actors have taken him off or channeled him as they attempt to bring a “Mad Professor” to life.

Einstein went on public tours and gave lectures to large crowds.

He was a celebrity in his lifetime.

Was Marilyn a secret Albert fan? It's a convincing enough story to inspire works of art. 

Is it true that Marilyn Monroe had a signed photo of Albert among her possessions when she died?

It was convincing enough to inspire a film supposing their meeting.

I can’t imagine any other scientist inspiring that story.

Or being photographed sticking his tongue out in an image that has become iconic of Einstein.  

Buy Albert Einstein documents now

As one of the world’s leading autograph dealers we often have Albert Einstein items in stock.

You can see them here.

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