The Welsh stars with the most valuable signatures

TOM Jones’ autograph is the most valuable of any living Welsh celebrity, a new study has revealed.

A signature by the hit singer from Pontypridd will set you back an average of £300.

But that figure pales in comparison to the sums changing hands for Wales’ most expensive autograph – the signature of late, great poet Dylan Thomas.

An autograph from Swansea-born Thomas, who died in New York City aged just 39, will typically cost £3,000.

The figures are contained in a list of the top-selling Welsh autographs published by specialist site JustCollecting.

Actor Richard Burton and TE Lawrence – famed as “Lawrence of Arabia” – each have autographs which can cost as much as £500. Sir Tom Jones follows on £300, as does Sir Anthony Hopkins.

The following is a list of sums charged for Welsh figures’ autographs. Prices listed are for a fully authenticated topquality 8x10in signed photo (unless otherwise stated), based on close monitoring of dealer and auction sales: Dylan Thomas: £3,000 Richard Burton: £500 TE Lawrence (signature only): £500 Tom Jones: £300 Anthony Hopkins: £300 Roald Dahl: £250

Rugby ball signed by Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett and JPR Williams: £100 Ivor Novello: £100 Aneurin Bevan (signature only): £75 Shirley Bassey: £40 Further down the pecking order, Gareth Bale’s autograph can cost £25, Charlotte Church’s £20 and Rob Brydon’s £5, according to the list.

Sir Paul McCartney is the world’s most valuable autograph-signer at £2,950, while James Dean is the most valuable deceased star, priced at £18,000 after his tragic early death.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s signed photos (£600) are worth more than Barack Obama’s (£350) and Hillary Clinton’s (£200) put together.

Dan Wade, head writer of JustCollecting, said: “The mystique of Dylan Thomas grows and grows, meaning increasing numbers of collectors want to get their hands on his signature.

“Yet Thomas died aged just 39, meaning he signed his name a relatively small number of times. Short supply plus strong demand ensures big prices.

“Aneurin Bevan tops many polls of greatest Welshman but that doesn’t translate to huge prices for his autograph. I suppose creating the NHS isn’t quite as sexy as singing It’s Not Unusual or marrying Liz Taylor – twice.

“The folklore of the great Wales rugby team of the 1970s endures and sees decent prices for the star names of the era.”