I think there were people in the 1700's collecting historical autographs and seeking Shakespeare signatures. By the late 1800's there were books being published on the hobby, but it only extended to classical literature and the arts and government. Nobody collected Sports signatures but everyone collected theatre celebrities and Politicians.
Collecting Baseball or Sports signatures in general are a 20th century invention. It would be like kids today seeking autographs of their local Police Officers or something like that.
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