Criss Angel is the hottest Magician selling on eBay right now, with a huge inventory of collectibles and a massive fan base.  This Guide will examine his autograph, discussing availability, authenticity, fakes and pricing.

My name is San Diego Magician Michael E. Johnson, and I'm a big fan of Criss Angel.

I discovered Criss in 2004 after reading about him in an issue of the magic magazine "Genii".  I was intrigued so I visited his website.  It was a hip site, unlike those of many Magicians I had seen.  There, I was surprised to see tons of collectibles, including a large assortment of autographed memorabilia.  On a whim, I bought a collection of 15 different autographed posters for $150 total, mainly because I wanted to study his artwork and graphic presentation.  The collection also included a signed deck of playing cards and three bonus stickers.

The next year, he was featured on the cover of "Genii" magazine.  His website then offered a limited number of 200 autographed "Genii" magazines for sale.  Sensing a winner, I bought fifteen copies for $20 each.  Much to my delight, Criss Angel has proven to be the best investment I ever made in magic autographs.  The popularity of his TV show "Mindfreak" has skyrocketed.  And every year, he raises the bar higher and higher for Magicians and the world of Magic.

Angel Autographs in 2004

In late 2004, you could have bought the following items autographed by Criss Angel direct from his website:

1. Criss Angel Poster (Times Square, New York), $20
2. "Mindfreak" Window Card poster (original New York City Show art), $20
3. "Submerged" poster, $20
4. Set of 3 posters, 11" x 17", "Made In Japan", "Eyes" and "Supernatural", $30
5. Set of 3 posters, 11" x 17", "Playing Card Back", "Face Your Fear" and "Houdini Tableau", $30
6. Set of 3 posters, 11" x 17", "Suicide Machine", "Angel In Mesh" and "Fire Hands", $30
7. Set of 3 posters, 11" x 17", "Scarecrow", "Rooftop Cast" and "Angel Vox", $30
8. Special Offer "28A", complete 15 poster set autographed, with free autographed Criss Angel Deck of Playing Cards and set of 3 Criss Angel 4" x 6" bumper stickers, $150
9. Official Criss Angel Deck of Playing Cards, $20

Without autographs, these same items sold for half the listed prices.  I purchased the collection of posters, and some day, I may sell them on eBay.  For now, I'm still enjoying them!

Authentic Autographs in 2005

In 2005 I wrote Criss a fan letter and asked for his autograph.  I was delighted when I received a response on September 2, 2005, postmarked from East Meadow, New York.  It was an autographed photo from "Mindfreak"!

Two months later, I purchased several more authentic Criss Angel autographs direct from his website.  These are "Genii" magazines, August 2005 issue, one of the best magic magazines in the world.  This issue features a great article on Criss with lots of photos and a rare glimpse into his perspective on magic.  The back cover is an ad for "Mindfreak".  If you like magic, you should subscribe to this magazine, because there has been more Criss Angel news in subsequent issues!  The autographs on the magazine are in black felt pen.

His signature is quite unusual, totally unreadable to me, but unique like a Japanese symbol.

Angel Autographs On eBay

Here's a few items I purchased on eBay in 2005 and 2006 with authentic Criss Angel autographs.  I can't remember the prices I paid, but I think they were in the $20 - $30 range.

These are 8" x 10" color photos, and the signatures are in metallic silver ink.  You can tell these aren't reprints, because when you examine the autographs under magnification, you can see that it looks like paint on top of the photographic image.  It looks two-dimensional, especially when you bend the photo under a powerful beam of light, and let the shine of light pass over the signature.  On the other hand, a reprint signature looks like it lays beneath the gloss on a photo, uniform with the background image, like a one-dimensional image.

Here's some recent prices paid for authentic Angel autographs in 2008.  To check out the market, simply type in "Criss Angel" in the buy category, and add "Completed Listings" in the advanced search category found on the left-hand side of the page.

1. $120.00 plus $8 shipping for an autographed "Genii" magazine, sold on January 7, 2008, by eBay seller kiddie-scooter from North Olmsted, Ohio (item #170183849505)
2. $12.06 plus $7.02 shipping for a Criss Angel autographed 2006 calendar, sold on January 14, 2008, by eBay seller bagosav from Albuquerque, New Mexico (item #120206486924)
3. $43.80 plus shipping for an autographed photo from "Mindfreak" season 2, which was originally sent by Criss's fan club to the first 500 people who signed up, sold January 2, 2008, by eBay seller mightallica from Australia (item #330203885318)
4. $46.09 plus $2.99 shipping for a signed book "Mindfreak: Secret Revelations" sold on January 16, 2008, by eBay seller maxibooks from Las Vegas, Nevada (item #330203115757)
5. $44.99 plus $5.99 shipping for a signed color "Mindfreak" photo with a another candid photo of Criss during the actual signing, sold January 6, 2008, from eBay seller signthisplz from Staten Island, New York (item #230208391401)
6. $31.00 plus $8 shipping for a signed book "Mindfreak: Secret Revelations" personally inscribed to Paul, sold on January 5, 2008, by eBay seller pettengill-books from Lancaster, California (item #110210353683)

Fake Angel Autographs

Beware of the many fake Criss Angel autographs selling for low prices on eBay.  They look nice, and the price is right, but the autographs are not authentic.  I bought a few of these without realizing what I did.  On May 4, 2006, I paid $18.55 for one 8" x 10" photo that was listed as a "Criss Angel MINDFREAK signed 8x10 color".  Even the description said it was signed.  I outbid five other people in the auction.  I thought I was so smart! 

Two days later, I noticed another one for $6.01 as a buy-it-now listing, and of course, I bought it thinking I had a bargain.  Once again, it was listed as a signed 8x10 color photo.  On August 5, 2006, I bought another one for $20.01 in auction, outbidding eight other people.  I even went so far as to purchase ten or twenty more in bulk, but then I got suspicious.

When common sense finally caught up with me, I discovered that all the signatures were identical.  I should have studied the category these items were listed under, which was "Entertainment Memorabilia > Autographs-Reprints > Television".  It was fake reprint!  The seller didn't deceive me.  I just didn't read all the fine print.  Luckily, the seller let me cancel my order for a quantity of the reprint photos, and I appreciated that consideration.  But it was too late to return the singe three reprints I bought.

Here's the common fake reprint now selling all over the place on eBay.  When I searched eBay on January 23, 2008, I discovered four different dealers selling this item.  All of them had the photo listed under the "reprint" category, and some even placed "RP" in the title.  But these are fakes, just to let you know.

Here's some of the prices recently paid for these preprint photos, taken directly from eBay's "Completed Listings" search:

1. $19.99 plus $4.99 shipping for a preprinted signed photo sold on January 5, 2008 by eBay seller rogerakk from Jacksonville, Florida (item #120202299828)
2. $19.99 plus $4.99 shipping for a preprinted signed photo sold on January 9, 2008, by eBay seller rogerakk (item #120207050911)
3. $0.99 plus $6.95 shipping for a preprinted signed photo sold on January 13, 2008, from eBay seller generalgeorgieporgie from Griffin, Georgia (item $2702015465080)
4. $3.24 plus $6.99 shipping for a preprinted signed photo sold on January 10, 2008, from eBay seller southerncollectibles1 from Griffin, Georgia (item #350012023353)
5. $1.04 plus $6.99 shipping for a preprinted signed photo sold on January 0, 2008, from eBay seller southerncollectibles1 from Griffin, Georgia (item #340011767363)
6. $0.99 plus $6.99 shipping for a preprinted signed photo sold on January 6, 2008, from eBay seller southerncollectibles1 from Griffin, Georgia

Recommendations

One of the best places to find Criss Angel autographs is his web site.  Join his fan club and you'll receive updates on his newest merchandise and personal appearances, which include book signings and other events.  Remember that these items sell quickly.  I recently got an e-mail about some special autographed lithograph canvases that sold for $500 and $1,000, but by the time I checked his website, the items had already sold out.

When searching on eBay, remember that some great bargains slip in under the radar.  Shop around, check the listings carefully, and you might find some good autographs for sale at a reasonable price.  I recommend scanning under the "Buy" category using the following headings:

• Criss Angel autograph
• Criss Angel autographed
• Criss Angel signed
• Criss Angel signature

Keep one thing in mind when shopping for Criss Angel autographs.  Todays high prices may well be tomorrow's bargains.  Criss engages in risky behavior, and he puts his life on the line in many special stunts.  If anything happens to him, his autograph prices will enter the stratosphere.  I pray this never happens, because personally, I like the guy.

My Angel Story

One of my friends, Magician Bob Elliott, knows Criss personally from his days in New York.  Bob and his wife Happy retired to the west coast a few years ago.  I asked Bob about Criss, and he had nice things to say about him.  Bob said Criss is a great Magician and an honorable guy.  Bob doesn't b.s., so his approval means alot.

Last year I organized a special award presentation for Bob Elliott.  I obtained Criss's cell phone number from a trusted source, and called Criss to ask him if he would contribute a testimonial to the Bob Elliott award program.  Criss said yes, without hesitation, and he sent his response immediately.  Criss's kind comments were published in the booklet "A Tribute To Bob Elliott in 2007", which currently sells on eBay.  What a great guy!  After the award program, I buried the cell phone number, out of respect to my trusted source, so please don't ask me for it.  Some secrets are meant to be kept!

Thanks for taking a moment to read my Guide.  Now I have a favor to ask you.  Could you please leave feedback below?  That would make me so happy.  Have a great day!