The Raab Collection’s Masterclass Series continues in this episode which gives an overview of essential terminology used when buying historical documents and autographs. Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, explains common abbreviations such as ALS (autograph letter signed) versus LS (letter signed, written by someone else but signed by the named person), TLS (typed letter signed), AMS (autograph manuscript signed), DS and ADS (document signed versus autograph document signed), and SP (signed photo), with examples involving figures like George Washington, Winston Churchill, and Abraham Lincoln. He also defines “secretarial signed” items, discusses clipped signatures and their relative value depending on context and rarity, and reviews condition terms collectors encounter, including foxing, separations at folds, silking, and lamination/encapsulation. The episode emphasizes reading document descriptions carefully and asking sellers to clarify unfamiliar terms.
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Collector jargon basics
01:01 ALS vs LS explained
02:31 Typed letters TLS
03:06 Manuscripts AMS
04:27 Documents DS and ADS
06:13 Photos and Catalog Terms
07:24 Secretarial Signatures
08:36 Clipped Signatures
09:15 Value Depends on Context
11:22 Condition Terminology
15:33 Why Abbreviations Exist
16:15 Ask the Seller
17:44 Conclusion