The value of an autograph naturally depends on a number of factors. The eminence of the writer is, of course, the first consideration, but the price will also depend on whether the signature is normally written, whether it was written before notoriety came to the writer, and the state of preservation of both paper and ink. Can the celebrity be considered a prolific letter-writer? This is another question which influences the value of an autograph, for according to the rarity of an individual's signatures, so will the price be affected. We say, above, that the eminence of a writer is the first consideration in deciding the value of his signature. We should be very diffident, however, at explaining just what factors make for eminence. It certainly is not rank alone, nor even ability; perhaps we may best describe it as being in the "public eye." The autograph-hunter does not seek for signatures alone: he casts around for entire letters, documents, and signed papers of every description; it is thus clear that the importance of the communication plus the autograph should be taken into account when pricing treasures. For the sake of convenience, we may classify the specimens in our collections under the following heads:-- 1. Signatures, unaccompanied by other written matter. 2. Signatures appended to short letters or documents; the body of the matter being typed, printed, or written by a private secretary. 3. Signatures appended to short letters or documents which have been wholly written by the celebrity in question. (Such are known to collectors as Holographs.) 4. As No. 3, but letters or documents of some length. [Illustration: FACSIMILE OF A PORTION OF THE LETTER WRITTEN BY CROMWELL TO LENTHALL, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, ANNOUNCING THE VICTORY OF NASEBY. (_From the original in the British Museum._)] Of the above four classes, the specimens coming within the first are obviously the least valuable, for they are the most frequently met. Copies may be found on the fly-leaves of books, on photographs of celebrities, etc. The second class, unfortunately, is gradually ousting the third class, since the typewriter is speedily becoming universally used for all but private letters. Specimens in the second class are worth a trifle more than those in the first, and a great deal less than those of the third. Specimens in class 3 are those which the average collector should aim most at securing; those in class 4 are a trifle too unwieldy for all but the advanced collector. [Illustration: A BATTLEFIELD SOUVENIR. The mug bears two verses of poetry which are somewhat significant, as they reveal the character of the Tyrolese peasant and soldier. Translated, they run as follows:-- Eagle, Tyrolese eagle, Why are you so red? Is it from the sunshine? Is it from the red sparkling wine? It is from the red blood of my enemies That I am so red.