Signature Series books

In my quest to fill out and upgrade my primary collection of Silver and Bronze X-Men, I've had some frustration recently in finding some books at prices and conditions I would like to buy that are NOT signed. More and more I see yellow label slabs with Stan Lee usually that seem to be overpriced in the market, or just... don't fit my Universal grade collection. X-Men 58 (First Havok) is becoming a bugger to find in blue label at the right price.

I started to wonder if "all the good books are gone" in that many high grades are getting signed now and converted to yellows.

I'm not sure if this is something that will just take over the market, and on the top level, would an Amazing Fantasy 15 for example really be worth more if Stan Lee signed it vs a pure virgin untouched copy? If not for the CGC stamp, most signed items become green qualifieds.

And I stradle the line of hypocrit.

I like getting some books signed, such as Cap 100 by Stan Lee, and some other goodies, but these are for my personal memorabilia collection that I don't intend to sell. My X-Men, although part of my fanboy hysterical collecting, will someday be sold off when I retire, or be intended as part of my estate.

Are other people like myself who are looking for specific books UNSIGNED finding some difficulties in the search? And is anyone noticing this trend?

I am again by no means bashing the yellows, but is this becoming more of the "norm" and any thoughts on what it means long term to collecting as signature series continues to add to its ranks?

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