|
Koufax’s prices are even higher from a year ago
Do you remember this thread from a year ago?
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=345642 Well, if you want Koufax on an item this year, he’s all yours for…. Tier 1 - $1250 per Signature Single Signed MLB Baseballs Photos up to and including 16 X 20 Tier 2 - $1500 per Signature All Licensed Trading Cards 1956 or later No sketch or custom cards Photos Larger than 16 X20 Tier 3 - $2200 per Signature Bobbleheads - Jerseys - Bats Tickets/Ticket Stubs (Except for Tier 5 items) Multi-Signed Baseballs Tier 4 - $4500 per Signature 1955 Topps Rookie Card & other 1955 Card or Memorabilia Items (Limited Amount - No inscriptions) Approved Inscriptions - $1350 each Max 2 per item - 10 Total available. Tier 5 - ** CALL FOR PRICING ** First Win/MLB Debut Tickets and Stubs Oh, and last year had a total of 75 slots, this year it’s only 25. https://www.sportsgraphing.com/threa...igning.154211/ If you’ve won the lottery in your lifetime, feel free to send in. |
I guess for someone pushing 90 years old, he has to make as much money as possible before he leaves this earth.
Mr. Koufax was gracious enough to sign a lot of items back in the day. There are a ton of autographed Koufax items one can obtain for the price of Tier 1. It wasn't that many years ago that I sold my PSA certified Koufax 55 Topps for less than his Tier 1 fee (around 800 if I recall correctly). I'm sure that at his age if has to sacrifice time away from family to do signings, he wants to get paid- it's always - Show Me the Money! |
This signing sold out week’s ago
|
Probably a part of it…..
I had heard Mr Koufax was one of the unfortunate victims of the Bernie Madoff scam ….. I think he lost a lot of his money unfortunately and this may be a part of his current signing fee structure. God Bless him and all the other victims……
|
It's mind boggling those prices especially to sign a bat at 2200.00. I have a signed bat at 600.00 that's beautiful and can't sell so who's spending 2200.00. Oh well. He's getting older so his autograph will only increase. He's a class act with a beautiful autograph even at 90 years old
|
I've always thought the 'limited to 25 spots' part should be taken with more than a pinch of salt. If 26 or 30 or more people send in, at a minimun $1,250 a pop, I'd be surprised if Sandy says no.
|
If he wanted to maximize the money, he certainly wouldn't limit the number of items.
|
I think the only reason to pay those prices is if you need something special signed. If you just want a generic ball or bat, they can be had much cheaper. If you a specific ball or bat then maybe its worth he premium.
|
Considering the proceeds of items he sold through his website went to specific charity, I’d assume doing a super expensive/low volume signing is along those lines. If he were doing it for personal gain he wouldn’t have capped it at 25 items.
|
I have read he donates all the $
|
Koufax has always been good about contributing to charities that he feels connected to, FWIW....
|
Yes, it only makes sense if you have something incredibly unique/special/valuable and paying that sort of money will increase the value of your item. That should logically narrow down the types of items we see, but I've seen people show off a generic SI or OMLB with inscriptions that were signed at these rates. Really?! To each his own. If it makes you happy, I'm happy for you.
I would never be paying three-four figures to have anyone autograph an OMLB considering how extra temperamental they are with the passage of time. If people want a signed ball, there are tons from the Feeney-Coleman eras available for fractions of the Tier 1 pricing. While all of these baseballs have always fought their own condition battles, people will be safer in picking something up that's already 25-50 years old so they can ascertain how the ball fared with the passage of time. You may not find the inscriptions you were so hoping for, but wouldn't you rather have a signature that won't disappear? |
Sandy Koufax has always been generous with his autograph. As was said earlier in this thread, he signed a lot of items over the years, many that turned up on eBay and other auction sites with high price tags. Forgetting his age and that he may have a limited number of years left to make money, you have to respect the fact that all the years that he signed and didn't charge but saw that sellers were profiting from autographs they didn't pay for, he now obviously feels that he also be entitled to revenue from his autograph.
He took also the time to write and send personal notes on his personalized note cards on various occasions. Not too long ago, I found on eBay a seller whose family must have had a relationship with Koufax and this guy put personal note cards received from Koufax up for sale and at hefty prices. I was very put off by that and messaged the guy how I felt. He immediately took them down off eBay. It's one thing to trade in notes and letters of stars who have passed, such as the beautiful letter from Claude Ritchey that member T206 Collector recently shared with us. It's quite a different thing for a living player to see that a personal note he sent to a family friend was being put up for profit. No one can offer any negativity about Sandy Koufax that I will tolerate. I'm quite sure there are many who agree with me. |
1 Attachment(s)
Just an example of personal a note card that Sandy Koufax sent. He made it even more personal by signing 'Sandy'...as though he was a friend.
|
Sandy was a signing machine at Dodgers spring training when he returned.
I don't blame him. He's 90. I'm less than half his age and I'd be uncomfortable sitting still writing my name for a few hours on end. It must be a real hassle for him and I can't imagine he'd tolerate it if it wasn't worth it. |
1 Attachment(s)
Ha!
Just after I posted about Koufax personal note cards being put up for sale I came across this about another athlete giving a gift and then seeing it put up for sale. Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs gave a jersey to a young fan, only to see that Goldin Auctions subsequently had it to put up for sale. I'm sure Wembanyama wasn't to happy about that. |
They're always unhappy but it's sometimes hard to understand why. Wemby is in a position to help his family and I like to think he does. Here is a child who experiences good fortune but what does Wemby know about their home life? It's easy to criticize but his gesture may have made it possible for the child to do something incredible for their own family.
|
Quote:
|
Or not. That's my point.
|
Or maybe we who buy and sell these items obsessively stop judging what others do? How am I going to tell some kid not to sell a Wemby jersey that might net him a college tuition?
This all reflects who we are as a society and as a subculture of collectors. The idealized innocent experience of meeting a hero and getting a valueless autograph as a memento is a fantasy that hasn't really existed for decades (except maybe in children's cancer wards), ever since the card collecting and memorabilia boom began in earnest. We are to blame, of course, for creating, enjoying, profiting from, and evangelizing collecting. It's capitalism, baby: we cannot expect to create a huge market for these items and then tut-tut anyone else for figuring out how to cash in using methods we never even considered. I'm just sorry I didn't get the idea first. But I digress... I don't see the appeal, except financial, of getting a Koufax auto at those prices. Now, that said, I could see getting a rare or significant card signed, like this one: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...s%20Koufax.jpg Card is tough as hell; can't think there are too many signed ones. |
Quote:
The freedom to get valuable items like that and not be in a place where the responsible thing to do is sell the item is a blessing. (Of course, the Dad might have had the whole thing planned and my rose-colored glasses might be being overly favorable, but I'll lean in this direction faster than assuming the worst when there is another explanation.) |
I actually went through something similar a year or so ago, albeit on a smaller scale.
My then 7 year old daughter loves Squishmallow stuffed animals, which are a popular toy for kids right now. They even came out with trading cards for the Squishmallows, so naturally I had to buy her a box of them (which was $30 or so). In that box of cards, she popped the rarest chase card, which could be traded in for a special Squishmallow, of which only 250 were made. She was so excited for her luck, and we redeemed our card. Lo and behold, the special Squishmallow was selling for over $1,000. Had she kept it, it would've just gone on her bed, like any other stuffed animal. So we made a deal that she could pick out two new Squishmallows from the toy store (which sell for $25 or so each), and we would sell the special one, and put the money in a bank account for her. She was thrilled, and got a nice jump start on a bank account. So, does it seem bad that I was selling a toy that my 7 year old daughter won? On the surface, maybe - but after hearing why, maybe you'll think differently.... |
I feel like there is traditionally no shame in catching a milestone home run ball and keeping it to sell. For some reason, emotions tend to change if there is a more personal transfer of an object to a fan, but I don't see why the principles are different.
|
Quote:
Do I have that right? :confused: |
Quote:
:( |
Quote:
Quote:
:( |
It has nothing to do with being a groupie. You aren't a groupie because you won the lottery. You're in the right place at the right time.
I also don't think you're a groupie because you're a fan of a player. I'm not really sure what it is you're implying about people. We are here because we collect. Is it possible to be a fan of something and not be a groupie? |
Quote:
:cool: |
Quote:
|
I've always believed that there should be a greater difference between the price of a vintage autograph signed in ballpoint, or better yet, a fountain pen, and the value of a shaky old man signature done with a blue Sharpie. I have Diamond Stars with gorgeous fountain pen signatures, and there's no way they are devaluing the card. But to pay for a Koufax rookie card done poorly with blue Sharpie holds no interest to me.
|
Quote:
|
Apologies I wasn’t directing that at you. That was in response to another posters comment about groupies.
|
Quote:
Nearly up until their deaths, you had folks like Feller and Erskine signing for free or for a fairly small amount at shows that was usually donated completely to charity. And though not the same as getting a signature in person, you could pick up a signed HOF card and many other items from the Feller Museum just a few years before his death essentially for the price of the items themselves. Carl certainly signed through the mail for free. And there probably are many old ballplayers that still do. At least one HOF basketball player has signed and I believe still signs for free when you send an item and SASE to their former teams. Sending a nice letter and getting an actual response to that letter is a nice experience that I'd take if I could not meet a player. Again, I agree with pretty much what you've expressed, but I guess my point is that you can still meet your heroes and get valueless (or maybe near valueless---because hey, just about any auto may have some value to others) autographs---it just may be a little harder or different to come by them! |
1 Attachment(s)
I had this 1963 World Series Game 4 (Dodgers sweep the Yankees) Line-up card signed by Sandy during one of these signings last year. Autograph looks great to me. Thankfully I had 3 other line-up cards from significant Koufax games signed a number of years ago when prices were cheaper, and was glad to add this one to my collection. Did the signing increase the value of the item by the amount I paid for the autograph? Don't know, and don't care.
Rick Attachment 648476 |
By coincidence, I was just watching a Pawn Stars episode from a few months ago where a guy had several nicely framed signed Koufax photo displays. After Grad OK'd them, Rick told the guy that Koufax autos were weak, and either offered him a couple hundred or maybe didn't even make an offer, I can't remember which, but he clearly didn't want them, and the guy took them home.
|
Quote:
Absolutely scripted and not to be believed, FWIW. :rolleyes: |
I think athletes probably suspect every autograph or piece of memorabilia they give away has value and will eventually be sold by someone at some point.
There's the story of a kid who used to hang around outside the Metrodome, along with other fans, waiting for Kirby Puckett to come in/out of the stadium so as to get his autograph. This kid showed up with a handful of Puckett cards every day the Twins were in town. Kirby soon recognized him as a frequent flier, and finally one day, Kirby said to him: "I've given you enough autographs to buy a house." The kid replied, "Now I need a pool." |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
But to me the seeking of such personal contact with a professional entertainer (whether first hand or second hand) by a full grown man just seems silly. Well maybe some athlete or movie star or other might be interesting to meet but paying big $'s? If of course this entertainer has big tits and great legs, well that then is something else again. ;) :confused: |
Quote:
|
Quote:
If so, would that make you a George Washington groupie? |
Quote:
|
Quote:
How do you collect anything without buying it or getting it yourself? It just seems like you're looking to insult people for collecting things but this is a collecting-based board. |
Quote:
Quote:
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/88/8e/57/8...eab9217ebb.jpg I haven't forgotten. So I hate that son-of-a-bitch George Washington and I wish only a pox on him and his descendants! :mad: As a general principle though, keep in mind that there's an enormous gulf between idolizing a certain historical figure who might have accomplished something of lasting importance and idolizing a professional entertainer. ;) |
Quote:
Quote:
;) |
I'm fascinated by your stance. Can you pass on some tips for how you've managed to collect but not find any fault in your style of collecting?
|
Quote:
:confused: |
Quote:
|
Quote:
In my world, collecting historical artifacts, including artifacts used and worn in action by athletes, does not logically lead to the conclusion that said collector is idolizing said athlete. Some of us just think historical stuff is neat. I'd love to have, someday, a fossilized piece of dinosaur bone. Doesn't mean I'd idolize that once-living creature. |
Quote:
Also, even if people do worship/idolize, it’s none of my business if they do. |
Quote:
Quote:
|
Quote:
Quote:
;) |
Quote:
|
Quote:
I realize you're trying to find a reason to smile, but our historical national territorial acquisitions have worked out rather well. To bring us back on topic, Sandy Koufax likes California and prefers speaking English to Spanish or French. |
Quote:
Keep in mind though that I will nevertheless bite back when my tail is pulled. ;) |
Quote:
Cutting to the chase though, I have Sandy Koufax's 1962 Canadian Post Cereal card, his 1962 Shirriff Baseball coin, his 1963 Salada Baseball coin and his 1964 Topps Baseball coins but I have only this single Koufax Topps card: https://hosting.photobucket.com/85c5...b522c7c972.png I'd like more of Sandy Koufax's Topps cards from 1957-65 to get further along toward completing those sets. His autograph though? I'll pass on that. I'll also leave his sweaty old jerseys to others. ;) |
Quote:
|
Quote:
I know of an extended family (3 generations) who lost a lot of money who were almost made whole. I do not know the specifics. |
I would think someone would find it more unreasonable to collect cardboard photos and fake coins than game used memorabilia.
|
Quote:
I never really liked Sandy Koufax as a pitcher though. As a kid I was more a fan of Juan Marichal and Milt Pappas. These days my favourite pitchers from Koufax's era are Warren Spahn, Hoyt Wilhelm and Jim Bunning. :) And he still has time to crack open a Latin textbook or two.... ;) |
Quote:
;) |
[QUOTE=Balticfox;2490538]No, no, never would I buy such a thing at any price! I'm a Canadian and that bastard George Washington was our implacable enemy. Washington led his Virginia (British) militiamen in a raid against the Canadien Fort Duquesne thus starting the French and Indian War of 1754-1763.
Mr. Baltifox, I just saw a For Sale listing in the want ads that might interest you; "For sale: Original Canadian 1763 Military C14 Timberwolf rifle, like new, never fired – dropped once." You might be able to get it pretty cheap - there are plenty available in the United States. |
The Canadiens actually gave a good account of themselves during the French and Indian War:
Quote:
Quote:
:mad: |
Quote:
I'll rely on Lafayette's opinion of Washington over that of a disgruntled French-Canadian who collects pictures of men who threw baseballs effectively with their left hand. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:09 PM. |