A Look at The Best President Cut Signature Cards
Presidential memorabilia has long been sought-after by history buffs and collectors alike. The combination of the fame generated by the power of the presidency, the import of the job, and the built-in scarcity of the items have made this a popular and enduring chase. After all, it’s been almost two and half centuries, and there are only 46 Presidents in American history. Whether searching for documents, personal effects, or ephemera, it’s a perfect space for historians and completists to capture a part of the story of the highest office in the land.
At the intersection of The Hobby and presidential history is the cut signature. While collectors often place a high value on-card autographs, as it signifies the signer handled the card, when it comes to collecting cards of historical figures, the cut signature is most common. Usually, a cut signature is reserved for people who have died. These signatures are sourced from documents and other materials, such as letters, birthday cards, or personal checks, authenticated, and then cut out and placed on the card. With only six living presidents, it’s no surprise that cut signatures are foundational to collecting presidential cards.
Like any other card market, some signers are coveted more than others. At the top of the list—you guessed it—is George Washington (in The Hobby, first is everything). Unsurprisingly, the most influential, memorable, and famous presidents, like Abraham Lincoln, command a lot of attention. With Election Day almost here, let’s look at some of the best presidential cut autos.
2023 Topps Transcendent Cut Signature #CS-RR President Ronald Reagan 1/1
presidential info
• Born February 6, 1911
• 41st President
• won 49 of 50 states in 1984
Set info
• set includes John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon
card info
• Card features a special signature from Reagan in addition to an inscription offering best wishes
2009 Topps American Heritage Heroes Signature Relic #AHSR-AL President Abraham Lincoln 1/1
presidential info
• Born February 12, 1809
• 16th president
• received 39.8% of the vote in the four-way 1860 election
Set info
• iconic American-themed card set featuring key figures in american history
• also includes dual card with lincoln and President Barack Obama
card info
• hard-to-find full signature of abraham lincoln (“a. lincoln” is more common)
• includes relic of wood from Lincoln’s law office
2016 Topps Transcendent Cut Signature #TCS-GW President George Washington 1/1
Player info
• Born February 22, 1732
• first president
• inaugurated on April 30, 1789, in front of a crowd of 10,000
set info
• set includes cards from Franklin D. Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson
card info
• piece of the end of a letter including signature of first u.s. president
2022 Topps Luminaries Cut Signature #CUT-TR President Theodore Roosevelt 1/1
Player info
• born october 27, 1858
• 26th president
• first presidential candidate to receive over 300 electoral votes
set info
• set includes warren g. harding and lyndon b. johnson
card info
• teddy’s signature at the bottom of a check he wrote
2020 Bowman Transcendent Cut Signature #55CS-JK John F. Kennedy Jr. 1/1
presidential info
• born may 29, 1917
• 35th president
• won closest popular vote in modern history in 1960 election (112,827 vote margin)
set info
• one dual autograph card per box
card info
• Signature placed on of-his-era television cabinet, with a Letter’s complimentary close visible at top edge
