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Masterclass Series continues in this episode which gives an overview of essential terminology used when buying historical documents and autographs.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