James Dean tops 'most expensive dead personality's autograph list' with 18K pound price tag

James Dean's autograph has been named the most expensive among all the dead personalities, as it costs a whopping 18,000 pounds.

According to a new study, martial arts superstar Bruce Lee secures second position, with his autograph costing 11,000 pounds, followed by British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson whose name written in either his left or right hand is worth 10,500 pounds, the Mirror reported.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon, who died in 2012, has risen from 550 pounds to 8,500 pounds.

The survey was carried out by Bristol-based memorabilia website Paul Fraser Collectibles, which studies autograph prices paid for at worldwide auction and through dealers on an annual basis.

Dan Wade, of Paul Fraser Collectables, explained the only signature the Index does not take into account is Shakespeare's as only six examples exist and as they are all held in museums or universities they never come on to the market and that Dean's autograph was the most valuable due to rarity.

Wade added that the tragic actor wasn't famous for very long before his death in 1955 aged 24 and didn't have much of an opportunity to sign many autographs so they are extremely rare, and that it's nearly 60 years since his death yet his name is still extremely popular today among collectors.

Most expensive 'dead' autographs are:

1. James Dean - 18,000 pounds

2. Bruce Lee - 11,000 pounds

3. Admiral Lord Nelson -10,500 pounds

4. Princess Diana - 8,950 pounds

5. Albert Einstein - 8,950 pounds

6. Neil Armstrong - 8,500 pounds

7. JFK - 7,950 pounds

8. Winston Churchill - 6,950 pounds

9. John Lennon - 6,950 pounds

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