The write way to make a fortune

Autographs penned by the rich and famous are rocketing in value, with thousands of pounds being paid out for the scribbles of iconic names like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe.

Experts today warned fans not to be conned by fakes as the extent of the money swapping hands for the scrawls of icons was revealed.

The pen mark of James Dean recently fetched £7,500 and Marilyn Monroe's can fetch between £10,000 and £20,000 a piece. Bruce Lee's signature is also in demand.

When Beatle George Harrison was alive his signature fetched £150 but the today it commands around £700.

Avid collector Michael Adams, who has been gathering famous names for more than 40 years, has 2,000 items including signatures of nearly all 20th century American presidents, all British prime ministers of the past 200 years, and many rock and film stars.

He said: "Desirable categories of autographs are mainly entertainers and sports stars although royalty, politicians and historical figures can also be in demand.

"Desirability is in the eye of the beholder. If someone wants a certain signature, and you have a proven genuine example, you have a saleable commodity.

"Autographs of all famous people, with provenance, tend to improve in value, and death increases it." Rolling Stones' signatures, including the late Brian Jones, fetch around £700 for the whole group and the complete Beatles' signatures attract offers of between £3,000 and £7,000.

Those in the know keep an eye on major auction houses.

Online search engines have also helped hunters find the autographs they are looking for but they are warned to beware of any fakes and not buy if in doubt about authenticity.

Some stars also distribute secretarial autographs which they have allowed assistants to sign on their behalf. Even they can fetch up to 20 per cent of the value of the real thing depending on the item and the period.