Old (1982) SI Article on Autographs
 

For those that have not read it before, found it pretty interesting. Some of the best lines:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...17/5/index.htm

I used to dream of collecting all the Hall of Fame signatures, but that's out of reach now. I can't see paying $80 for a Joe Tinker. I can't believe that a live Hall of Famer's signature is $10, or an Oscar Charleston $80 or a Jack Chesbro $225.

Halper wanted his autograph. McCarthy died in 1922, more than 50 years before Halper began his search, and he died where he was born, in Boston, a city replete with McCarthys. Somehow Halper tracked down a relative who found Tommy's will, signed two days before his death. Halper paid $150 for it.

Knowing what we now know about Halper, I'm sure that's not how he obtained McCarthy's will.

Cool article. I liked Wills admitting to practicing his signature and that there was a time when Fingers avoided autographs.

Also I didn't realize collector Jeffery Morey was from Syracuse. Between him, Burdick and Kren, Syracuse has some serious collecting history.

Enjoyed the article. Thanks for sharing.