Rising Stars, Superstars and Dying Stars: Hedonic Explorations of Autograph Prices

Alan Collins, Richard O'Doherty and Martin Snell
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Richard O'Doherty: School of Economics, University of the West of England

No 603, Working Papers from Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol

Abstract: Key studies have explored the economics of rising stars, superstars and ‘has beens’, but relatively little economic literature exists on the associated parallel memorabilia markets. Using a random sample of 1151 pieces of autographed artefacts, on sale through a retail and internet outlet, hedonic analysis is undertaken to elicit significant characteristics in price determination. The data principally consists of autographs of past and current cultural icons along with some sporting and historical figures. We explore, inter alia, price differences with respect to ‘dead’ or ‘alive’ signatories, gender, sphere of fame, nationality, the age of the signatory and the nature of the artefact on which the signature is written. Alternative model specifications have been explored and compared. A notable difference emerges between those autographs with photographs and those without. There are also differences in prices according to whether individuals had been famous for their roles in just films, just television, or in both.

JEL-codes: D40 D44 Z11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 18 pages
Date: 2006-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cul
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:uwe:wpaper:0603

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