Anautograph is a person's ownhandwriting orsignature. The wordautograph comes fromAncient Greek (αὐτός,autós, "self" andγράφω,gráphō, "write"), and can mean more specifically:[1][2]
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What might be considered the oldest "autograph" is aSumerian clay table from about 3100 BC which includes the name of the scribe Gar.Ama. No ancient written autographs have been found, and the earliest one known for a major historical figure is that ofEl Cid from 1098.[4]
"Autograph" can refer to adocument transcribed entirely in the handwriting of itsauthor, as opposed to atypeset document or one written by anamanuensis or acopyist. This meaning overlaps that of "holograph".[3]
Autograph collecting is the hobby of collecting autographs of famous persons.[1] Some of the most popular categories of autograph subjects arepresidents,militarysoldiers,athletes,movie stars,artists,social andreligious leaders,scientists,astronauts, andauthors.[5]
