Personalization
 

I have been looking for a particular item for 10 years and finally found it but the problem is that it is personalized and not sure if I should pass on it or not. If it was signed to a person with my name then it would not be an issue. Curious as to how many people purchased sign items personalized to someone else. The HOF has only been dead for a few years so it is not a rare signature just the piece is hard to find. Thoughts

The way I look at it is this way; if I bought it I would still be wanting a non-personalized copy. So I really haven't accomplished my goal by buying it. Secondarily, once I found a non-personalized copy I am not sure how easy the personalized one would be to move. For myself, I would pass.

Depends on what the item is, whether the personalization could be removed, how you're going to display it, etc.

If my name were more common, I think it would be a neat endeavor to seek out personalized items with my name. I have yet to run across one made out to "Lance" though, so I probably won't be pursuing that one :p I might start looking for "Jack" personalizations for my son though, once he's old enough to appreciate such things (he's 2 now, so I just count my blessings that he largely ignores the few collectibles within his reach).

It all depends on the value and rarity. I'd be very happy to own a personalized Ruth, Gehrig, etc. In fact, I'd prefer it because more writing means more data to analyze and more security it is real.

Now, a personalized example of a common show signature is essentially worthless except to the person it is personalized to.

However, if you have been searching 10 years for this item, it would lead me to think it's a rare signature and would still be desirable with a personalization.

+1

My impression was that the signature itself wasn't particularly rare, but that the combination of the player's signature with this particular item is where the rarity lies.

As in: Robin Roberts signed items are not rare and relatively inexpensive. But if you collect signed jock straps and finally locate one signed by Roberts, but it's personalized to Zeke, do you still buy it, because it's doubful you will find another Roberts signed jock strap, personalized or not. (Just an example. Not saying Mac is a jock strap junkie).

I say NO to the Zeke Jock strap. Now, if it's signed to Harry...:eek:

What item are you looking at?

Depends on the item. Sometimes the personalization adds character to the piece, like this Tunney dated during his championship reign:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...ed%20photo.jpg

Sometimes it gives you a bit of insight into the personality of the signer:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...0autograph.jpg

Sometimes it tells a bit of the story of the encounter that led to the signing:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...arge/Simon.JPG

And sometimes it is just plain fun:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...ize/Newmar.jpg

If you've really been waiting ten years for the item to surface, I'd say jump on it.

If memory serves me right, I recall reading somewhere about how Barry Halper presented Reggie Jackson with a Babe Ruth ball that was inscribed "To Reggie."

Of course, with what we know about Halper these days... :eek:

I like personalizations. Gives the photo a bit of history.

+1

In the 70s and 80s, there was a guy who wrote to all the astronauts and asked them to inscribe "To Buck Rogers" Not sure if it was the guys real name or not, but the Buck Rogers ISPs typically sell for a premium now when they surface.