Autographed Card Question: How Important is Legibility?

[clydepepper]

I stay away from autographed cards altogether unless they are authenticated by a known third party like PSQA/DNA or Topps Certified. I realize that this is not at all foolproof, but I view it as fairly safe from my perspective at the bottom of the 'food chain of knowledge' with regards to autographed cards.

My question is this: How important is legibility? I would think if you can ready the name, it's a plus...but, as players get older, their autographs change...Lord, I know mine own has reached 'chicken scratching stage.' Do you shy away from signatures of older players? Two that come to mind are Willie Mays and Warren Spahn.

Any sincere tips are appreciated.


I'm sadden whenever I see the latest group of Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects as their's is a generation on the brink of loosing the ability to sign anything legibly. I'm guessing a lot of that has to do with bulk signings which must be difficult to endure.

[Topnotchsy]

To me it's less about legibility and more about whether it looks similar to regular signatures from that person. Many players like Stan Musial saw major deterioration in their ability to sign before their passing, and while it is great they still signed, I'd much prefer a version that is more standard. (Of course in some cases a player's autograph changed over time, like Mantle's. For player's like that I prefer an earlier version, even if it is not the most recognizable version of the person's signature.)

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

[SIZE="4"] My question is this: How important is legibility? I would think if you can ready the name, it's a plus...but, as players get older, their autographs change...Lord, I know mine own has reached 'chicken scratching stage.' Do you shy away from signatures of older players? Two that come to mind are Willie Mays and Warren Spahn.

Any sincere tips are appreciated.

I’m unsure if I’ll be much help, but you offer up some good questions and it’s an interesting topic. I really only collect one player currently, but I’ve picked up quite a few other Oriole player signed items as well through the years of collecting.

How important is legibility? Very important for me in regard to autographs. Look at the old school players vs. the modern; night and day difference. I know that’s a blanket statement and I’m sure there are a few exceptions, but the large majority are less then desirable in my view. I don’t think I could collect a modern players autograph, even if I really liked their play, if they just had a scratch as an auto.

Typically a players autograph does change over time, which is understandable, so I typically try to find early examples. While I have a ton of Brooks Robinson autos a couple months ago I started an autographed run of his regular issue cards (unsure why I haven’t done this sooner) and trying to locate vintage, pen signatures. If you use the two examples you mentioned, Mays and Spahn, both have very nice autographs when you find early examples.

[yankeesjetsfan]

I'm pretty appalled by the signature's of today's athlete. I'm sure it's because today's athlete is asked for their signature more than the athlete of yesterday, but I have seen some atrocious signatures even at a paid signing. There are player's like Mariano Rivera, who takes pride in their signature, but when you get a check mark or an x for an autograph the player should be ashamed. Give me a legible autograph any day.

Mike

[Gary Dunaier]

At Citi Field, player autographs are included as part of the scoreboard graphics, enabling all fans, not just collectors, to see that many of today's players have horrible, illegible signatures.

I wonder if players sign legal papers (contracts and such) the same way they sign their autographs.


(Photo taken August 23, 2017. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here.)

[ooo-ribay]

Name the autograph...

[FourStrikes]

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