Glossary Of Terms

Autograph Types

APS        

Album Page Signed

A piece of paper (traditionally an album page) signed by the person named

ALS        

Autograph Letter Signed

A letter entirely written and signed by the person named

AMS

Autograph Manuscript

A manuscript written  by the person named, unsigned

AMSS

Autograph Manuscript Signed

A manuscript written and signed by the person named,

MSS

Manuscript Signed

Typed manuscript signed by the person named

AMQS      

Autograph Musical Quotation Signed

Bars of music written out and signed by the person named

AMQ   

Autograph Musical Quotation

Bars of music written out by the person named

ANS        

Autograph Note Signed

An autograph note written and signed by the person named

ANU

Autograph Note Unsigned

An autograph note written by the person named, unsigned.

AQS

Autograph Quotation Signed

A verse or statement written out and signed by the person named.

AQU

Autograph Quotation Unsigned

A verse or statement written out by the person named, unsigned.

BOOK       

Book

A book signed by the person named

CD/LP      

CD/LP

A CD or LP signed by the person named

CHQ        

Cheque

A bank cheque signed by the person named

COL        

Collection

A collection of two or more autographs.

DS         

Document Signed

An official document, either printed or in the hand of a clerk, signed by the person named

FDC        

First Day Cover

An envelope where stamps have been cancelled on their first day of issue.

LS

Letter Signed

A letter in the hand of a clerk or typed, but signed by the person named

MEM        

Memorabilia

A signed or unsigned object that can be directly linked to a personality or event

NS

Note Signed

A note in the hand of a clerk or pre-printed/typed, signed by the person named

NU

Note Unsigned

A typed or pre-printed note by the person named, unsigned

OD

Original Drawing

An original drawing created by the person named, either signed or unsigned.

PS

Poster

An unsigned poster either created by or featuring the person named

PSS

Poster, signed

A poster signed by the person named

PRINT

Limited Edition Print

A limited edition print, either signed or unsigned.

PROG 

Programme

A programme from an event signed by the person named

SP

Photograph Signed

A photograph signed by the person named

REPS

Reproduction Art Work Signed

A reproduction of an art work (for example a postcard), signed by the person named

UP

Photograph Unsigned

An unsigned snapshot photograph of the person named.

TLS

Typed Letter Signed

A type written letter signed by the person named.

WILL

Will

A copy of a legal will signed by the person named

CDV

Carte-de-visite

A popular form of mass produced mounted photographs invented in France, originally used as calling or visiting cards. Carte-de-visites, similar to the cabinet photograph, but smaller were popular in the nineteenth century. The standard size is about 2½” by 4½”.

Free Front

An address panel or the addressed front of an envelope signed by a Member of Parliament for free postage. (Also known as free frank)

Vellum

An animal skin, often from a sheep or calf, that was especially prepared for issuing written documents.

Condition

Foxing

Age-related, scattered brown stains which are a type of mould, often caused by metallic impurities in the paper.

Mounting Remnants

Adhesive or material relating to the process of mounting the object is visible.

Silvering

A term that describes the discolouration of silver gelatin print photographs (normally effecting phtographs from the 19th century to 1950s). The process of oxidation effects darker portions of the photograph, creating a bluish tint to the surface.

Toning

Age-related discolouration of paper.

Trimmed

An item that has been manually trimmed to size.

Non-genuine Signature Types

Autopen Signature

A signature created by a machine that uses a pre-made template to sign potentially hundreds of items an hour, on behalf of a named person.

Forged Autograph

A signature or writing by a person who is completely unrelated to the named person. Attempting to sell forgeries is illegal.

Printed Signature

A copy of a genuine signature, printed onto paper or photographic material, usually used for promotional puposes.

Secretarial Signature

A signature signed by a secretary/assistant on behalf of a named person.

Measurements:

All measurements on our website are in inches and/or centimeters, horizontal measurements are given firs. However the following measurements can also be found in other trade literature:

12mo

(Duodecimo) Approximately 5 x 7 inches

8vo

(Octavo) approximately 6 x 9 inches

4to

(Quarto) approximately 9.5 x 12 inches

Folio

Approximately 12 x 18 inches

Auctions terms

Appraisal

A formal written valuation of material for insurance or probate purposes.

Auction

A public sale in which property/ material is sold to the highest bidder.

Bidder

An individual or entity offering to purchase property at auction.

Buyer's Premium

The additional amount on the hammer price that is paid as part of the total purchase price. The premium is a specified percentage of the final bid price.

Consignor

The owner on whose behalf the auction house is auctioning material.

Estimate

An educated guess of the auction house of what a lot should sell for.

Hammer Price

Winning bid for a lot at auction. The final hammer price does not include the buyer's premium or additonal applicable VAT or other taxes.

Increments

Amounts that the auctioneer uses to increase the bidding, usually in a set sequence. The figure can be rounded up or down at the auctioneers discretion.

Provenance

Information concerning a lot's prior or current ownership.

Reserve

The minimum price the consignor is willing to accept for the lot and below which a lot will not be sold.

Starting price

The price at whch the auctioneer starts the bidding.

Vendor

An individual who sells their material.

Vendor’s Commission

A charge that sellers pay on any items they sell at auction. (This covers insurance, authentication, advertising, etc).