http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/04/13/archbishop-breaks-tradition-to-sign-autograph-91466-23373541/

Archbishop breaks tradition to sign autograph (Western Mail)

SIGNING autographs is all part of the day job for Hollywood celebrities, soap opera actors and pop stars – but the Archbishop of Canterbury showed yesterday that he is more than happy to hand out a signature or two of his own.

The former Archbishop of Wales Dr Rowan Williams agreed to requests for his signature when he met churchgoers after his Easter address at Canterbury Cathedral yesterday.

It is not commonplace for clergymen to give autographs, but The Venerable Dr John Holdsworth, Archdeacon of St Davids, believes Dr Williams’ willingness to break with tradition is an indication of his generous character.

He said: “This is not something that happens often but, knowing him fairly well, he is gracious enough to accede to such a request.

“This is not a common occurrence but it is not something which would bring the Church into disrepute – the Church should have a common touch.”

Swansea-born Dr Williams was Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales before he took on his current role six years ago.

He had stopped to chat to people after his Easter Day service at the Kent cathedral, in which he spoke of how the financial crisis had shown human fulfilment could not be measured by material effects.

As well as shaking hands and chatting with people, he obliged well-wishers’ requests for autographs.

Ryland Smith, a Pontypridd-based autograph dealer, said the signatures of leading religious figures were rarely traded.

He said: “There are instances in which autographs of previous Popes have been collected but it’s not very common.

“I’ve certainly never been asked for anything like this and I don’t think it’s something the average collector would approach me for. My main business is films and music – mostly contemporary pieces but I do more vintage and classical stuff as well.

“But that’s not to say no one would want the archbishop’s autograph. It’s all about what’s special to that individual.

“I definitely think it’s good of him to agree to sign things. I think it’s very much an indication that he’s a man of the people – it sends out a very good message.

“In some ways, I think it opens the church up a bit and shows him as an approachable individual.”

Mr Smith said the most valuable autographs are those given out by people who rarely part with their signature.

He said: “The most sought after autographs are astronauts, particularly Neil Armstrong. He hasn’t signed anything since the mid-nineties and he is at present the most sought after autograph in the world.

“My own personal signature of his cost £1,000 three to four years ago. A couple of weeks ago I saw one on a specialist astronaut website for about $7,500.

“People are always going to pick up autographs of the main characters from popular TV series and film stars.

“They will always be in demand.

“But you get people looking for all sorts of things – it all depends on what the individual collects.”

While he would not expect Dr Williams’ signature to command a large sum if it was sold at the moment, Mr Smith believes it could be highly desirable to certain individuals.

“I wouldn’t expect it to be an expensive one, but monetary value is not important to people who collect things like this.

“It’s about what’s significant personally – what it means to you.”