Inflation eh! I remember a time I got Christopher Lloyd's autograph for £50. My wife took a photo of the moment but he didn't pose for it, so I have the proof we met! 😁
I went with a friend to get Ray Harryhausen to sign the book he'd released - I am pretty sure if was free.
It used to be economical enough that I had the four main Dawn of the Dead cast sign a disc each of my DVD boxset and Tom Savini signed the cover. Probably didn't cost me more than £20.