Considering merging this section with memorabilia ......

[Leon]

Hey guys
A few years ago when we started this autograph section there were more posts and action. In looking at how it has gone the last several months the thought is to close this section and let these threads be in the regular memorabilia forum. IIRC the reason this was formed was because there was a lot of angst. With getting rid of at least one bad apple, Travis R., most of that has gone away. What do ya'll think?

[Baseball Fan]

Originally Posted by Leon

Hey guys
A few years ago when we started this autograph section there were more posts and action. In looking at how it has gone the last several months the thought is to close this section and let these threads be in the regular memorabilia forum. IIRC the reason this was formed was because there was a lot of angst. With getting rid of at least one bad apple, Travis R., most of that has gone away. What do ya'll think?

First, thanks for providing this forum.

For me personally, I really enjoy the sub forum and visit almost every day. I'm only an autograph collector so it would be cool to keep this here rather than merge and have to find the autograph threads that are mixed in with threads about game-used items, etc.

That said, I have fewer than 100 posts so it really shouldn't matter what I prefer.

[btcarfagno]

I kind of enjoy having the separate section for autographs, but I collect memorabilia as well so it wouldn't hurt my feelings that much if they were to be combined. However, if doing so would cause an even greater decline in autograph discussion, I would be against it.

Tom C

[GoCubsGo32]

I like the sub-section as well. It's nice to keep the autograph section separate from Memorabilia IMO. I think people will be clicking on page "2" and "3" alot more if they were together. ----meaning a lot of Williams,Mickey, Joe D..."are these real??" type threads will control the Memorabilia thread and good material will be pushed to the back. Not saying those are type of threads aren't good, but they are very frequent.

Just my .02 cents.

[tazdmb]

I really like the Autographs in its own section, so if I had a vote, I would vote to keep as is.

Just my opinion and thank you again for this forum.

[slidekellyslide]

I don't mind either way, but I wonder how many of our membership even know about this forum as there is an inordinate amount of autograph threads that I have to move over to this forum from the memorabilia section.

[Klrdds]

I too enjoy having a separate autograph forum .
I vote to keep it as it is.
I also believe it will prevent cluttering the memorabilia thread for those who don't collect autographs or aren't interested in them.

[Bpm0014]

I enjoy having it separate as well and keeping it as is...

[RichardSimon]

Separate but equal.

[theshleps]

I go on this section multiple times daily and would like it to stay as is

[Leon]

Of course I always want what is best for the forum. Merging sections makes sense on a few levels but we'll see how it goes and leave it for now. But I just can't imagine having a whole section for 2-3 threads a day for the long term. It makes more sense to have one forum of 5-10 new threads than 2 of them split up with that many..
If ya'll remember this section was formed because of the angst some auto collectors (at the time) brought to the memorabilia forum. That angst is all but gone (thank goodness). For now we'll leave it and thanks for the feedback.

[tdellis]

i like it leave it seperate

[D. Bergin]

Seems good as it is. Enough traffic, and not like the section is hard to find.

[Scott Garner]

I would prefer it was separated, FWIW.

[jgmp123]

Leon,
Any chance of creating a separate "is this real" sub forum? I thank autographs can work merged with memorabilia if we created he "is this real" sub forum...just my thought

[Kco]

I'm pretty heavily on the autograph side, I vote to keep them separate.

[joed25]

Merge. Easier to look in one place.

[Bigdaddy]

Keep 'em separate. I'm on the auto section frequently, but have hardly ever visited the memorabilia section.

[mrmopar]

I only regularly visit 4-5 forums and this is one of them. I would like to see it remain it's own sub forum.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by jgmp123

Leon,
Any chance of creating a separate "is this real" sub forum? I thank autographs can work merged with memorabilia if we created he "is this real" sub forum...just my thought

There really isn't a whole lot more to talk about with autographs than are they good, how were they ascertained, what was the person like who was signing etc...So a new section for "are they real" is sort of redundant?

If activity doesn't pick up it will eventually get merged just as the game used section went away due to lack of activity.
.

[MooseDog]

I think this has come up before, one of the things to consider is that we auto guys are, umm, "different", prone to argument about things only we tend to consider important.

If I recall, the memorabilia guys would prefer to let us have our own little corner, and I think most of us autograph guys are OK with that.

I vote keep separate.

While I don't see a problem with the "is it real?" threads, wouldn't one option be to make one threat for such requests and make it a "sticky?"

[Leon]

Originally Posted by MooseDog

I think this has come up before, one of the things to consider is that we auto guys are, umm, "different", prone to argument about things only we tend to consider important.

If I recall, the memorabilia guys would prefer to let us have our own little corner, and I think most of us autograph guys are OK with that.

I vote keep separate.

While I don't see a problem with the "is it real?" threads, wouldn't one option be to make one threat for such requests and make it a "sticky?"

All good points and things to consider. But as I remember it, correct me if I am wrong, the memorabilia guys were pissed about the fighting back and forth. And with the expulsion of Travis that has gone down a ton. I don't think there is push back from regular discussions. But again, all good points. The thing I look at as an administrator is how much activity does a section get, and if it doesn't get enough does it make the overall forum look stagnant? Two to three threads a day is a fairly stagnant forum, to me. I would rather see the memorabilia side have 8-10 (responded to or new) threads per day than have them get 6-8 and this one get 2-3, from an activity standpoint, if nothing else. Hope that makes sense. IF there is little to no activity it is sort of like everyone watching a tv station which has 2-3, 30-second shows a day on it.

.

[RichardSimon]

Leon,,,
If more threads are the answer then:

GUYS LET'S GIVE LEON MORE THREADS

Leon,
The autograph guys here do appreciate you giving us this forum. Obviously, whatever you decide we will live with it.
But for me separate but equal is still the way to go.

[cubman1941]

I also enjoy having it separate. I have been able to get some good information on some autographs I needed info and very quickly. I am afraid, as someone else alluded to, it might get "buried".

[slidekellyslide]

One other benefit to keeping it separate is from the outside looking in. You can always say that Net54 has an autograph forum where some of this country's best dealers and authenticators participate.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

One other benefit to keeping it separate is from the outside looking in. You can always say that Net54 has an autograph forum where some of this country's best dealers and authenticators participate.

Very true. I am slow to change when the folks posting don't want it.

And Richard, I know the autograph guys are a different bunch AND there other internet forums dedicated solely to autographs. If you guys really want it separate it's not a big deal. Carry on...no need to have threads for the sake of threads so don't worry about it.

[tazdmb]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

forum where some of this country's best dealers and authenticators participate.

+1, but don't forget about the collectors!

[drcy]

I think the autograph section is good as its own distinct section, but I also notice that people often post autograph questions in the memorabilia section-- which suggest that this section may get lost. It is sort of tucked in there in the listings.

Though not a participant, I do check out the autograph section and know it's here-- but I whatever Leon chooses is fine by me. I'm sure he's got the visiting data to go by.

Though I think it might be best to put it in the memorabilia section, to get more traffic. I know many of the collectors in that section are interested in autographs and some members post in both sections. But that's just my humble vote.

[clydepepper]

From a totally different angle:

I'm no autograph expert, but I am noticing something about society-


Autographs, for the most part, are getting more and more illegible.

I predict there will come a time, perhaps in some of our lifetimes, where

cursive writing is totally forgotten - making existing 'signatures' especially

the ones the average person can read will become more and more rare.


Of course, that will mean the value of the average recognizable let alone

verifiable autographs may sky rocket.


Well, that's my bold prediction...what do you think?


at

[Leon]

From the new players signing I can rarely tell a few of the letters they use let alone a full name. And I agree about cursive writing. I am not sure they even teach it in school anymore?? It's a shame.

Originally Posted by clydepepper

From a totally different angle:

I'm no autograph expert, but I am noticing something about society-


Autographs, for the most part, are getting more and more illegible.

I predict there will come a time, perhaps in some of our lifetimes, where

cursive writing is totally forgotten - making existing 'signatures' especially

the ones the average person can read will become more and more rare.


Of course, that will mean the value of the average recognizable let alone

verifiable autographs may sky rocket.


Well, that's my bold prediction...what do you think?


at

[philliesfan]

My wife is retiring this January after 37 years of teaching mostly first grade and I can tell you that they no longer teach cursive writing.......at least in our public school township.
Robert

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Leon,,,
If more threads are the answer then:

GUYS LET'S GIVE LEON MORE THREADS

Leon,
The autograph guys here do appreciate you giving us this forum. Obviously, whatever you decide we will live with it.
But for me separate but equal is still the way to go.

I could easily post ten threads a day, but what's the point anymore.

[toyman55]

Most schools no longer teach cursive and history is also declining in schools.

[clydepepper]

Most students these days probably think cursive writing is....


sh#t or d%mn it




ob

[clydepepper]

They'll never sign them like this anymore:


What a Beauty!


1935 DIAMOND STARS w GEHRINGER AUTO.jpg





mchm

[Leon]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

I could easily post ten threads a day, but what's the point anymore.

The point has been because we care.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by Leon

The point has been because we care.

I have always cared, Leon, and you know that.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

I have always cared, Leon, and you know that.

Well Chris, you asked.