When President Trump signed “Make America Great Again” hats for Louisiana first responders in August and bragged they would sell for $10,000 on eBay, he wasn’t far off.
“They already go for over $2,000 now and are going up daily,” said Bill Panagopulos, who runs Maryland-based Alexander Historical Auctions.
In fact, Trump’s signature is worth more than any president since President James A. Garfield, who was assassinated six and a half months into his presidency, said Panagopulos, whose Oct. 28-29 online auction includes a Trump-signed Bible, a Trump-signed American flag, and a Trump-signed cover of the House impeachment report.
The signed items are valuable because there are so few authentic signatures from the president on letters, official documents, or artifacts beyond hats.
“There’s a lot of Trump fakes out there, too,” Panagopulos said. “But there’s virtually nothing of Trump signed with any kind of interesting content.”
The value of Trump’s signature is higher than any other modern president because his supporters are so loyal.
“It’s like they’re buying the relic of a saint,” he said. “I hate to use the term cult figure, but those who support him support him with their heart and soul.”
While Panagopulos expects the impeachment document and the Bible to sell for $12,000 or more each, he suggested something that could break records: a Trump-signed mask. For that, he’d set a price of $20,000.
“That would be worth a lot of money to Trump’s supporters and Trump’s detractors,” he told Secrets.
All rare, the Trump-signed flag is an eye-catcher. Alexander Historical Auctions’s website said, “This flag was signed in-person at one of Trump’s campaign rallies in Florida for one of his fervent supporters who sold it directly to our consignor.”
And the impeachment document came from an administration insider.
“This copy was signed in person by the president in bold black marker, and was obtained by a close member of the Trump administration,” the auction house said.
