Indexicality and the verification function of irreplaceable possessions: Asemiotic analysis

Many researchers have noted that special possessions can represent personal ly relevant events, people, places, and values. Semiotics provides a useful theoretical base for understanding the representation processes that suppo rt these meanings. We apply the semiotic concept of indexicality to extend our understanding of how meanings are embedded in irreplaceable special pos sessions. The results of two empirical studies support the proposition that these possessions establish a semiotic linkage, which enables consumers to verify self-selected moments from their personal history. Our research als o reemphasizes the value of semiotic frameworks as applied to research on p ossession ownership and sheds additional light on the value of authenticity to consumers.