How to acquire a Hank Aaron in person Autograph

[Forever Young]

Does anybody have advice on how to acquire a Hank Aaron autograph in person? I have a couple items I’d really like to get signed. I was hoping he would be at the national this year but it doesn’t appear he does shows anymore.

[stewbacca]

The only things I have seen recently are private signings and even those run $300. Tom Orr had him recently at a signing.

[71buc]

I got him to sign a pair of his spikes through Stiener. The fee was $300.

[effe]

http://www.waukeshasportscards.com/p...t15private.htm

[Scott Garner]

Ben,
His current autograph is pretty bad. Have you seen it?
I would think twice about chasing getting anything signed by Aaron unless you go into it with blinders on.
Just my 2 cents...

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Ben,
His current autograph is pretty bad. Have you seen it?
I would think twice about chasing getting anything signed by Aaron unless you go into it with blinders on.
Just my 2 cents...

I have not but want my gamer signed.

The price below is amazing though. ..yikes. Thanks fir link effe!
Thank you all for the responses.

http://www.waukeshasportscards.com/p...t15private.htm

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by Forever Young

I have not but want my gamer signed.

The price below is amazing though. ..yikes. Thanks fir link effe!
Thank you all for the responses.

http://www.waukeshasportscards.com/p...t15private.htm

The picture on the link shows the number of people in the background stands who are willing to pay over $600 for an Aaron signature on a jersey.

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by Stampsfan

The picture on the link shows the number of people in the background stands who are willing to pay over $600 for an Aaron signature on a jersey.

Haha

[Forever Young]

Anyone know of how i can accomplish getting an item signed by the great ha k Aaron, please let me know! Still need this.

[Huck]

Over the past decade the majority of Aaron's appearances have been private signings. Waukesha Sports Cards seems to get Aaron in-store every few years. Aaron turned 85 last month, so his days on the circuit are numbered. I can't believe, 7 years have passed since Aaron last appeared at the CSA show in Chantilly. I popped for 3 tickets that day, because I thought it was going to be one of his last public appearances. Whitey Ford (90) is another player who has not done anything for a few years.

[Republicaninmass]

None scheduled as far as I can tell this year

[Huck]

If not Waukesha Sports Cards, then induction weekend in Cooperstown would be another possibility. For years Willie Mays would set up shop at some location on induction weekend. For a few hundred Mays would sign your item. If a promoter gets Aaron it would likely be MAB Celebrity or Jack Berke sports.

A link to some of last years signing on induction weekend.

https://www.uticaod.com/blogs/201807...in-cooperstown

MAB's Hall of Fame spectacular:

https://mab-celebrity.com/hall-of-fame-spectacular-2

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Ben,
His current autograph is pretty bad. Have you seen it?
I would think twice about chasing getting anything signed by Aaron unless you go into it with blinders on.
Just my 2 cents...

Just curious, bad compared to what Harmon Killebrew? When was Aaron's signature considered good? I have acquired in person autos from Aaron in the early 1990's and for the last time in 2012. His signature was strong but never good. Every signature reads Hack or Hak Aaron. At 85 years of age, I would expect the signature might be perhaps jittery and maybe a bit sloppy. But at $300 a pop for a flat, I hear you.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

It’s probably been 10 years since Willie signed in town and Hank hasn’t signed in town - at least for the past 20 years if he ever did. You’re out of luck with those two and Sandy. And Griffey.

Originally Posted by biohazard

If not Waukesha Sports Cards, then induction weekend in Cooperstown would be another possibility. For years Willie Mays would set up shop at some location on induction weekend. For a few hundred Mays would sign your item. If a promoter gets Aaron it would likely be MAB Celebrity or Jack Berke sports.

A link to some of last years signing on induction weekend.

https://www.uticaod.com/blogs/201807...in-cooperstown

MAB's Hall of Fame spectacular:

https://mab-celebrity.com/hall-of-fame-spectacular-2

[tazdmb]

Sandy is doing his annual private signing:

https://internetexclusives.com/

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Ben,
His current autograph is pretty bad. Have you seen it?
I would think twice about chasing getting anything signed by Aaron unless you go into it with blinders on.
Just my 2 cents...

Compared to whom? He is still getting psa auto grade 10. I had one last year and thought it was fine for his age. At least he tries, sheesh

[Ryan1125]

Originally Posted by tazdmb

Sandy is doing his annual private signing:

https://internetexclusives.com/

$600, and $300 for an inscription and no personalizations? LOL. That is crazy IMHO, I know he never signs and it's his rules, but get out of here.

[chalupacollects]

Originally Posted by Ryan1125

$600, and $300 for an inscription and no personalizations? LOL. That is crazy IMHO, I know he never signs and it's his rules, but get out of here.

It's almost like buying a new car. Pay full price and its worth far less once you have it in hand...sorry Sandy, as they say on Shark Tank... I'm out...

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

It's almost like buying a new car. Pay full price and its worth far less once you have it in hand...sorry Sandy, as they say on Shark Tank... I'm out...

Same with Steiner and most private signings. Prices are significantly higher than the secondary market. Unless you are adding them to a group item, I don’t see the sense of it.

$600 for an old age Koufax signature on a modern ball? You could get a prime signature on a vintage ball for far less.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

He clearly didn't lose enough in the Madoff scheme to start signing like a banshee.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

He clearly didn't lose enough in the Madoff scheme to start signing like a banshee.

I thought he might start making appearances after that scam surfaced. It never happened. He signed at a Tuff-Stuff show back in the 90's, at the insane price (for the times) of $65 a pop. It was clear he did was not comfortable in that type of forum. I hear people line up at the crack of dawn at Dodger spring training, in hopes that Koufax will sign that day.

[packs]

A few years ago I was at Dodgertown and it was the first year Koufax was back at spring training. The concept of the Koufax line didn't exist yet. I was able to snag this one while he was walking between fields:

[Bigdaddy]

Waukesha Sports Cards is hosting Hank on May 2nd.

[w7imel]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

Waukesha Sports Cards is hosting Hank on May 2nd.

$325 for basic autograph? Hank sure thinks alot of Hank!!! His autograph from what I have seen lately is horrible!! $375 for a baseball...I dont get it...Unless you just want to meet the guy but this is not even that, this is a private signing you just drop off. You can buy a pretty nice authentic signed ball for around $125...Wow Hank sure loves Hank

[prestigecollectibles]

This is a private signing we will be doing with Mr. Aaron benefiting the Chasing the Dream Foundation so maybe Hank sure thinks a lot about disadvantaged children between the ages of 9 and 12.

Originally Posted by w7imel

$325 for basic autograph? Hank sure thinks alot of Hank!!! His autograph from what I have seen lately is horrible!! $375 for a baseball...I dont get it...Unless you just want to meet the guy but this is not even that, this is a private signing you just drop off. You can buy a pretty nice authentic signed ball for around $125...Wow Hank sure loves Hank

[w7imel]

Originally Posted by prestigecollectibles

This is a private signing we will be doing with Mr. Aaron benefiting the Chasing the Dream Foundation so maybe Hank sure thinks a lot about disadvantaged children between the ages of 9 and 12.

OK fine but before you guilt me into feeling bad about my statement please provide me with the percent of the dollars that will go to the kids and what will go toward admin and other fees...What percentage goes to them and not the other? Being a non profit you should be able to disclose.

[prestigecollectibles]

I should've been more clear. I have nothing to do with the signing. I was copying the info from the Waukesha Sportscards website.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by biohazard

Just curious, bad compared to what Harmon Killebrew? When was Aaron's signature considered good? I have acquired in person autos from Aaron in the early 1990's and for the last time in 2012. His signature was strong but never good. Every signature reads Hack or Hak Aaron. At 85 years of age, I would expect the signature might be perhaps jittery and maybe a bit sloppy. But at $300 a pop for a flat, I hear you.

we call that the old man Aaron. Big, big letters. I prefer the beautiful "Star" Aaron versions from the 80's on the NL only balls.

[cfhofer]

I always thought the athlete got paid a set fee, regardless of the volume signed. The athlete just establishes basic parameters for the signing. Promoters are the ones who typically set the individual prices. Am I wrong here?

I think with these private signings it is easier for a promoter to charge more with less volume than the other way around. They are catering to a different clientele.

Quick story: Back around 2005 I took my kid brother to a public signing for Joe Montana (JM). My brother asked JM to personalize the photo to him, which JM graciously did. However I did not purchase an additional inscription ticket. Inscription tickets are pretty common now but back then they weren't. The promoter escort sitting next to JM immediately took the photo and demanded I pay an inscription fee. I refused so he ripped up the photo and had JM sign another photo....without the personalization. JM shook his head in disgust and apologized.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by cfhofer

I always thought the athlete got paid a set fee, regardless of the volume signed. The athlete just establishes basic parameters for the signing. Promoters are the ones who typically set the individual prices. Am I wrong here?

I think with these private signings it is easier for a promoter to charge more with less volume than the other way around. They are catering to a different clientele.

Quick story: Back around 2005 I took my kid brother to a public signing for Joe Montana (JM). My brother asked JM to personalize the photo to him, which JM graciously did. However I did not purchase an additional inscription ticket. Inscription tickets are pretty common now but back then they weren't. The promoter escort sitting next to JM immediately took the photo and demanded I pay an inscription fee. I refused so he ripped up the photo and had JM sign another photo....without the personalization. JM shook his head in disgust and apologized.

My understanding from chatting/emailing promoters over the years, there are a few ways athletes gets paid:



1) Set fee for a certain # of items. Rumor was Joe DiMaggio did not get out of bed for anything less than $100K. Back in the 90's at the Long Island show the fee was over $100 (I want to say $130) and he likely signed 800-1000 items. He sold out. In this day and age, players rarely sell-out, which is why promoters usually have a huge inventory. Most players usually have an agent/ friend sitting next to them counting tickets. Oh, trust me, the player or his aide knows the count. I was at a signing for Rickey Henderson and there was an issue over the color of tickets (tiered pricing). Henderson pushes himself away from the table until the color issue was resolved.

2) Set fee for set amount of time. Unusual for a show. Usually used for a promotional event.

3) Per piece deal.

4) Player sets up his/her own table.


The majority of sales are made behind the curtain (mail order/bulk sales).

Aaron is about the same fee, in person or private. Collectors know the going rate for any given player. The private signing better be inline or at least near a public signing fee or there won't be many sales.

Inscriptions. We collectors caused this fee. Brooks Robinson is one of the nicest players on the planet. He is friendly, engaging and always positive. At one show, the guy in front me had a gray Brooks jersey and asked for a stat shirt (16x gold gloves, hof, hits, ba etc. etc.. Of course Brooks obliges but I was shocked. Sure enough a year later, the first charges for inscriptions or limited inscriptions started to appear. Also, players or agents realized that certain inscriptions increased the value of the item signed.

[Republicaninmass]

"n this day and age, players rarely sell-out,*"

Mariano rivera did at 325 a year or so ago.


Shocked me, but I'd pay that for Aaron.

[bigfanNY]

I seem to be in the Minority but I have one maybe 2 items that I will be sending in. First is a 1972 Topps Poster that I think will look great signed and framed on my wall. ...

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

"n this day and age, players rarely sell-out,*"

Mariano rivera did at 325 a year or so ago.


Shocked me, but I'd pay that for Aaron.

Given the number of shows and signings, one sell-out a year is kind of rare. Clearly there are certain players that will draw well and sell out. Rivera is not a regular on the circuit and he is a Yankee. The last person, that I witnessed selling out at a show (CSA) was Peyton Manning. It has been well over a decade since I have pre-ordered tickets, but Rivera is one player, where pre-ordering would be a good idea.

In 2012, at the CSA show, Aaron was $300 for a flat and $350 for a large flat and did not sell out.

What would folks here pay for Koufax in person? I think Koufax could command $400 perhaps higher.

[felada]

Koufax is doing a private and well above 400 and it sold out. In person for him would no doubt be even more

[Republicaninmass]

Did that Brady signing ever take place that was 700 or so? What about the highly touted Griffey? What would Bonds bring?

[w7imel]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

"n this day and age, players rarely sell-out,*"

Mariano rivera did at 325 a year or so ago.


Shocked me, but I'd pay that for Aaron.

This is a private signing as stated in the advertisment ..you drop the stuff off or mail it in..you never get to meet him...you would pay 350 for that???

[w7imel]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

"n this day and age, players rarely sell-out,*"

Mariano rivera did at 325 a year or so ago.


Shocked me, but I'd pay that for Aaron.

375 for this really? And never even get to meet him?

[w7imel]

Or this for 81 bucks?? Same thing get a signed ball without meeting the man in person. Pretty sure I know what one I would like and still have 250 toward something else I was hunting..Just my 2 cents.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

Brady does a signing every year. The problem is that he’s still playing. If you had him sign last year with 5x super bowl champ it would be outdated now at a cost of $1200+.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by w7imel

375 for this really? And never even get to meet him?

there it is!!!!! The "Old Man" Aaron version where he can't see anymore and his writing is gigantic.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Fuddjcal

there it is!!!!! The "Old Man" Aaron version where he can't see anymore and his writing is gigantic.

Now that you mentioned it, his signature was rather large, but thankfully the piece could handle a large signature. For space eating, there is nothing like a Frank Thomas signature being the first to sign a multi-signature piece.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by felada

Koufax is doing a private and well above 400 and it sold out. In person for him would no doubt be even more

Perhaps, but I just don' t know what the tipping point is for most collector's, especially those who are 100% in person signatures.

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by w7imel

375 for this really? And never even get to meet him?

Is this for real? I heard it was bad but my good god. Sad

[w7imel]

Originally Posted by Forever Young

Is this for real? I heard it was bad but my good god. Sad

Yeah it was the JSA certificate or witness thing but yes this is what you get

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by w7imel

Yeah it was the JSA certificate or witness thing but yes this is what you get

Guess i won’t get my gamer signed then. Damn

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by Forever Young

Is this for real? I heard it was bad but my good god. Sad

I was in Vegas this past weekend, and went into "Field of Dreams" in the Venetian. Now, without getting into the ridiculousness of their prices, the "Hank Aaron" ball on the wall looked horrible, similar to the one posted here.

FWIW, the price was also comparable to the prices quoted in this thread.

[bigfanNY]

I was looking on Ebay and found a smaller 1967 Poster Aaron With a period Aaron Signature and a Best Wishes inscription for half what a current Signature would have cost. So I pulled the trigger on that. It is in a Beckett holder and will look great on my wall. I had an Aaron, Sphan, Matthews ( Top of 1961 Braves yearbook) in a PSA holder I wanted to display but the holder size made it tough to find a good spot. So happy to get this
J

[packs]

My favorite era of Aaron:

[bigfanNY]

1967 topps poster Signed by Aaron not my oldest Aaron. That would be a ball that he signed Henry during spring training 1954. Based on research I did ball was signed in south carolina during series of games between the Braves and Red sox. They had played many exhibition games during the 52 years they both played in Boston. But in 1953 the travel made that difficult so in 54 the agreed to meet in SC just before seasons opening for a few games. Must not have worked financially because last time they did it. My first National leauge game was Mets Braves in 1968.

[Mr. Zipper]

Vintage Aaron on a Feeney ball. Slam dunk authentic. $127 shipped.

This is why I will never understand those buying the horrid recent signatures on modern balls.