Autograph

An autograph is a person's own handwriting or signature. The word autograph comes from Ancient Greek (αὐτός, autós, "self" and γράφω, gráphō, "write"), and can mean more specifically:^[1]^[2]

a manuscript written by the author of its content.^[1]^[2] In this meaning the term autograph can often be used interchangeably with holograph.^[1]^[3]
a celebrity's handwritten signature.^[2] Autograph collecting is the activity of collecting such autographs.^[1]

History

What might be considered the oldest "autograph" is a Sumerian clay table from about 3100 BC which includes the name of the scribe Gar.Ama.^[4] No ancient written autographs have been found, and the earliest one known for a major historical figure is that of El Cid from 1098.^[5]

Autograph manuscript

"Autograph" can refer to a document transcribed entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one written by an amanuensis or a copyist. This meaning overlaps that of "holograph".^[3]

Celebrity's signature

John Hancock's signature on the United States Declaration of Independence

Autograph collecting is the hobby of collecting autographs of famous persons.^[1] Some of the most popular categories of autograph subjects are presidents, military soldiers, athletes, movie stars, artists, social and religious leaders, scientists, astronauts, and authors.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Thompson, Edward Maunde (1911). "Autographs" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 45–47.
^ ^a ^b ^c Gove, Philip B. (ed.), 1981. Webster's Third New International Dictionary, p. 147. ISBN 0-87779-206-2
^ ^a ^b Tomita, Yo (2016). "Autographs, Copies and Original Manuscripts". In Leaver, Robin A. (ed.). The Routledge Research Companion to Johann Sebastian Bach. Taylor & Francis. pp. 52–54. ISBN 9781315452807.
^ "The Earliest Autograph Signatures (Circa 3,100 BCE) : HistoryofInformation.com".
^ Fletcher, Richard A. (1 January 1989). "The Quest for El Cid". Oxford University Press – via Google Books.

External links

The Autograph at the HathiTrust Digital Library (early 20th-century periodical, full view)

[EB1911-1] Thompson, Edward Maunde (1911). "Autographs" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 45–47.

[Webster's-2] Gove, Philip B. (ed.), 1981. Webster's Third New International Dictionary, p. 147. ISBN 0-87779-206-2

[Tomita-3] Tomita, Yo (2016). "Autographs, Copies and Original Manuscripts". In Leaver, Robin A. (ed.). The Routledge Research Companion to Johann Sebastian Bach. Taylor & Francis. pp. 52–54. ISBN 9781315452807.

[4] "The Earliest Autograph Signatures (Circa 3,100 BCE) : HistoryofInformation.com".

[5] Fletcher, Richard A. (1 January 1989). "The Quest for El Cid". Oxford University Press – via Google Books.

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