THE UNIVERSAL AUTOGRAPH 
COLLECTORS CLUB (U.A.C.C)

 
The Universal Autograph Collectors Club (U.A.C.C.) has been serving the collector for over 25 years. Founded in 1965, the U.A.C.C began as a small group of Long Island, New York autograph collectors and has grown to be the largest non-profit collectors organization of its kind. The U.A.C.C by its defined purpose is primarily an educational fellowship where knowledge and resources are shared with not only the membership, but also the public at large.

By joining the U.A.C.C, you will be introduced to the fastest growing hobby in the world today.

Autographs have been called "frozen moments in time" by some people. Probably the most personal thing that one person can give is his or her signature.

In 1834, former President James Madison sent "an autographic specimen... for a collection which the Princess Victoria is making".  The future British Queen was only 15 years old at the time. Financier J.P. Morgan, Sr., began collecting when he was 16, and his son continued adding to the father's collection. As the daughter of the Mayor of Boston, Rose Fitzgerald collected autographs, as did her son, John F. Kennedy. William Randolph Hearst, Franklin Roosevelt, Malcolm Forbes, Ray Bradbury and Glenn Ford are a few more well-known autograph collectors. By collecting autographs, you become a curator of history.  

WHY JOIN THE U.A.C.C ?
 
As with all collectables, there are things of which the new collector should be aware. Unscrupulous individuals have been known to take advantage of new collectors by offering them supposedly great deals on rare and desirable autographs at  bargain prices. Some of the best reasons to join the U.A.C.C include:

• The U.A.C.C is the largest autograph organization in the world today and serves in over 25 countries.
• The U.A.C.C publishes The Pen and Quill, the highly regarded 64-page bimonthly journal featuring articles and news in all fields of autograph collecting.
• The U.A.C.C offers its members the opportunity to purchase uncommon autographic material at below retail prices. To view our premiums, click here.
• The U.A.C.C publishes low cost reference works for its members.  To view the reference works that we currently have available, click here.
• U.A.C.C members may place free classified ads in the The Pen and Quill to express their wants, sell their excess, or just communicate with other members.
• The U.A.C.C sponsors autograph shows all over the world featuring educational displays, autograph dealers who comply with the U.A.C.C Code of Ethics, and celebrity guests.  To view the show schedule, click here.
• The U.A.C.C holds seminars to educate collectors and the public on all phases of collecting, preservation, and identification of forgeries.
• The U.A.C.C sponsors literary and service awards as well as paying for articles published in The Pen and Quill.
• The U.A.C.C has a Code of Ethics that all members are required to abide by, as well as an aggressive Ethics Board to mediate disputes and uphold standards.  Click here to read the 'Code of Ethics'.
• The U.A.C.C sponsors autograph auctions where members can bid on quality autographic material.
• Once you join the U.A.C.C, you will be added to our mailing list and will receive catalogues of autographs for sale by dealer members.

The U.A.C.C also keeps you informed about:

These are all part of the hobby and as previously mentioned, the new collector is particularly susceptible to these items. Reputation is very important in our hobby! The Pen and Quill keeps you aware of disreputable dealers and forgers.  

WHAT CAN I COLLECT ?
 
Anything ink adheres to is fair game to be collected. Autographs include letters, documents, manuscripts, checks, notes, quotations, franked envelopes or signatures on album pages, photographs, visiting cards, first day covers, typescripts, baseballs, menus, programs, books and many others items.  
 

HOW CAN AUTOGRAPH COLLECTING BE INTERESTING ?
 
Imagine not only reading about history, but actually holding a piece of it in your hands.

Imagine a letter written by Mark Twain or J. R. R. Tolkien, or a baseball signed by Yankee great Mickey Mantle or even a check filled out and signed by Thomas Edison. These items and many others are available for collectors to own and care for.

Writing for autographs to noted living individuals can also be interesting and profitable. The more interesting the letter, the better chance for an interesting reply.

Letters of content from people like George Bush and Stephen King are always desirable as collectibles because you have more than a signature -- you have the person's thoughts at the time of the response.  

WHERE SHOULD I LOOK WHEN BUYING AUTOGRAPHS ON THE INTERNET?

The U.A.C.C has a Registered Dealer program (we are dealer number 117), which has nearly 300 of the world's most professional dealers as members.  Each member has to go through a thorough application and review process before they are admitted into the program.  Every member agrees to adhere to the strict U.A.C.C Code of Ethics, and all provide contact information on the website, including names of the principal owners, mailing address, telephone numbers, email addresses, website addresses, etc.  Though the U.A.C.C doesn't endorse any one particular dealer, we always try to promote our Registered Dealers and encourage collectors to always buy from U.A.C.C Registered Dealers.  For a complete listing, click HERE.  

HOW CAN I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE U.A.C.C?

After filling in the form below, we will contact you about membership fees and how they can be paid.