Selected Forms of Autographs

 Presidential Pardons Presidential pardons are generally scarce, though they do appear in the autograph market. The most commonly encountered examples are from presidents in the latter half of the 19th century, although documents from later presidents surface occasionally. The term “pardon” is typically applied to both full pardons and the less forgiving commutations of sentences. These documents are usually written on folio sheets, approximately 10.5 x 15.5 inches in vertical format—the same size as many commissions and appointments, which are often in horizontal format. Interestingly, clerks often wrote pardons in large script, forcing the text to spill onto a second page. In smaller handwriting or typed format, they would easily fit on one sheet.

In the late 1990s and around 2000–2001, a National Archives employee stole a significant number of presidential pardons. The National Archives website maintains a list of those still missing. Occasionally, such items find their way into the autograph market, where vigilant collectors or Archives investigators identify and recover them. The Archives site is titled Missing Presidential Pardons | National Archives.

Collectors should be aware that a different category of document is often mistakenly referred to as a pardon. Official presidential pardons bear the seal of the United States. Earlier presidents frequently signed smaller documents that authorized the Secretary of State or another key official to affix the seal to the actual pardon. These are technically known as "warrants" or "warrants to affix the seal." Though collectible, warrants are not considered true pardon instruments.

President Biden’s thousands of end-of-term pardons garnered significant attention because they were signed using an autopen. None have yet appeared on the market, but questionable signatures from other presidents do exist. For example, Andrew Johnson issued numerous pardons to former Confederates. While some were personally signed, many featured his stamped signature. These stamped documents are collectible Civil War relics, but from an autograph collector’s perspective, they are typically valued at about one-third of a personally signed pardon. As with any Johnson presidential document, collectors should carefully compare the signature against known stamp examples.

Perhaps the most famous presidential pardon was Gerald R. Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon. After leaving office, Ford briefly signed souvenir copies of the pardon but later adopted a policy of no longer signing such documents—including souvenir oaths of office. What often surfaces in the market today are souvenir transcripts of the final paragraph of the full pardon—beginning with “Now, therefore Gerald R. Ford…”—bearing authentic signatures. In nearly all cases, these were originally signed on blank ivory or tan sheets from his memoir A Time to Heal, with the pardon excerpt later typed over the signature.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.