About Autographs & Militaria
A private collection of historical autographs, documents and militaria — examined, documented and researched
Autographs & Militaria is the private collection of Juan García Nicolás, collector and qualified handwriting examiner, and the place where its pieces are catalogued, studied and published. Every signature, document and decoration is described with its condition, historical context and, where known, its provenance — and selected pieces are offered to fellow collectors by personal enquiry.
12+
years collecting
412+
positive reviews across platforms
12 h
maximum response time – I usually reply straight away
DOC / INS
reference for every piece
The examiner behind the collection
Collector, researcher and qualified handwriting examiner
Juan García Nicolás is a collector of historical documents, autographs and militaria, and a qualified graphologist and forensic handwriting examiner, trained over three years at Ipsigrap.
That training shapes how the collection is built. A signature is never accepted or rejected on a single detail: it is assessed on a coherent set of features — stroke, pressure, letter forms, proportions, ink behaviour and paper — and compared, where possible, with dated exemplars. When something cannot be confirmed, the description says so.
Method
How every piece is examined
01
Physical examination
Paper, printing, ink, stamps, binding and ageing are checked for consistency with the stated period.
02
Signature analysis
Handwriting is studied as a whole — rhythm, pressure and letter construction — never on a single sign.
03
Historical context
Dates, units, offices and people are checked against the historical record and reliable sources.
04
Honest description
Condition, doubts and limitations are stated plainly. Provenance is recorded only where it is known.
What you will find here
Collection, research and tools
The Historical Collection
Original autographs, documents, medals and militaria, each with its own reference, photographs and full description.
The Collector’s Journal
In-depth guides on identifying, researching and authenticating historical documents, signatures and decorations.
Research tools
Free tools to screen a signature, understand what drives value and decode catalogue terms.
Examination services
Independent document authentication and certification, and professional signature analysis.
How the collection works
A private collection, not a shop
There is no basket and no automatic checkout. Each piece carries a reference — DOC for documents and autographs, INS for medals and insignia. Collectors enquire quoting that reference; availability is confirmed personally, payment details are sent once it is confirmed, and the piece is packed with care and dispatched with tracking. Sold pieces remain online as archive records, so their research stays available.
What collectors say
Trusted by private collectors
“Great communication. A pleasure to do business with.”
“In perfect condition, with excellent communication from the seller. Highly recommended.”
“Everything was perfect: communication and fast shipping. Thank you.”
Historical responsibility
Material from sensitive historical periods is documented as historical artefacts for collecting, conservation, education and research. Nothing in the collection or on this site endorses or glorifies any ideology.