Hey Guys,
I will probably have stones thrown at me for my opinion on this but thought I would voice my opinion anyway as I am a glutton for punishment.
I share the basic thought with most of you in that I hate to see a vintage piece cut down to make a card.
HOWEVER, I don't think it is the end of the world as it "hooks" the next generation of collectors. Whether you want to admit it or not, a large percentage of autograph collectors, at one time, probably started collecting cards or at least did it at the same time(I know I did as a child).
I think that exposure to these autographs of vintage players(retired or dead), keeps the new generations interested in them. They then figure out that instead of paying 2k for this, they can buy a vintage gpc for the same price.. or a baseball...which keeps the autograph hobby strong. Seeing a "newer" mantle cut from a less than stellar photo does not bother me so much when I think of it this way. It is not like Mantle is a tough signature to begin with where it should be on the endangered species list.
Just my thoughts... now JUST REMEMBER...People who live in glass houses should not throw stones..
