X-Files Autographs Cards: The Ultimate Guide

February 24, 2017

From lead stars to now-famous guest stars, there’s lots to digest when it comes to X-Files autographs and trading cards. While it was something of a slow build that spanned multiple manufacturers and several sets, by the time the last set of X-Files trading cards were released, the whole feels complete.

Gillian Anderson has several autographs. David Duchovny waited until the end, but he signed as well. And then there’s creator Chris Carter, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, Mimi Rogers and several other regular faces.

X-Files Autographs Start with Topps

To trace the earliest X-Files autographs on trading cards one has to go back to when Topps held the license. Although they went big with the show early on with both cards and even comics, their only go with autographs came in 1998 X-Files: Fight the Future. And while such cards were new and novel at this point, the first group of signed cards were secondary names.

Inkworks Takes Over

Inkworks took over the license with their 2001 X-Files Seasons 4 and 5. Their first set includes one of the most valuable X-Files autographs — Chris Carter. Several years later, that set would gain another notable signature when Laurie Holden went on to be a major character in The Walking Dead.

Towards the end of 2001, Inkworks added another big name to their list of X-Files autographs. Gillian Anderson’s signature headlined their Seasons 6 and 7 release.

X-Files Autographs - Inkworks Seasons 6 and 7 Gillian Anderson

Over the course of their next two sets, one for season eight and the other for season nine, Inkworks added the likes of Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, Burt Reynolds and another Anderson.

Beyond the Show

The character-based 2005 Inkworks X-Files Connections has the largest of all the autograph checklists. Most of the names are repeats from previous releases. It also has an Autographed Pieceworks card of Gillian Anderson with a small costume swatch.

2008 Inkworks X-Files: I Want to Believe was one of the last from the card maker. On the one hand, the autographs are huge. Not only is there yet another from Anderson and Carter, but the product finally brought the hobby a David Duchovny autograph. Not only that, but a Duchovny-Anderson dual autograph was given as a dealer incentive. That said, many deem these cards to be inferior as the signatures come on bright foil stickers.

2008 Inkworks X-Files I Want to Believe David Duchovny Gillian Anderson Autograph

X-Files Autographs Analysis

Compared to a lot of other franchises, there are not a ton of autographs to track down when it comes to trading cards. And while there is room for that list to grow should the franchise get a cardboard revival, perhaps to go with the show’s rebirth, it stands fairly complete as is.

Top X-Files autographs, particularly those from Anderson, Duchovny and Carter, can fetch hundreds. Not only are they the biggest names connected to the show, but they’re also relatively rare.