John Bonham Doesn't Sign Album Covers Anymore

[Vyn]

But for $50,000 USD you can have one!

https://www.rockaway.com/led-zeppelin/led-zeppelin-ii-31780#tab-label-description-title

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Oooh! I'll have two!

[Zzzptm]

I was all ready to start cussing out John Bonham for not caring about the fans... and then remembered he's been a little dead for some time...

[Vyn]

Looking at that kind of thing, and I have no doubt that it is the real deal, I'm struck by the realization that someone is going to pony up the money for it.

For a signature. Well, four, but without Mr. Bonham's scribble the cost would be significantly less. All on the front cover or otherwise.

[Charger]

I don't understand why anyone would pay 50Gs for a signature...it doesn't make sense.

I can understand maybe few hundreds especially if it features a signature of a dead person but thousands is just ridiculous.

[Zzzptm]

I don't understand why anyone would pay 50Gs for a signature...it doesn't make sense.

I can understand maybe few hundreds especially if it features a signature of a dead person but thousands is just ridiculous.

And then there's what paintings signed by dead people will fetch at auction... Watching Fran Lebowitz on Netflix, she had an EXCELLENT comment on the pretentiousness in that market... when they bring out a Picasso, no noise at all. When it sells for millions, massive applause. They're applauding the money, not the art.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I'm not really into buying signatures, but about 10-15 years ago I did buy a "Fellowship of the Rings" script signed by all 9 actors of the Fellowship plus Ian Holm and Hugo Weaving. It came with a Certificate Of Authenticity (how much can you trust that? I have no idea!), but I felt about £100 seemed an acceptable amount to risk.

[Zzzptm]

I've got a plaque with a photo signed by Elvis and Johnny Cash.

Don't be surprised to know that the plaque cost more than the photo.

[Vyn]

... I felt about £100 seemed an acceptable amount ...

I think this is what it comes down to when dealing with "things" that don't have an intrinsic value. I've spent what some (most?) people would consider to be ridiculous sums of money for things that have no practical value, but that I get enjoyment and pride of ownership from. And I do have that "feeler" price gauge too, that is impossible to define but guides those purchasing decisions.