How many guys here still collect some TTM?

[mschwade]

I started my son's autograph collection TTM recently, getting mostly in-state guys that he'll know. Anybody else still collect through the mail? What sites do you use for addresses and what's the success rate?

Thanks,
Matt

[jt39]

There is no feeling in the world like rushing to the mailbox to look for folded-over envelopes with my handwritten address on them!

I haven't sent anything out in over a decade, which makes me feel old. I did think about it recently, but felt odd sending requests solely to add to my own collection. If I had a son interested in collecting, though, I would get him started doing exactly what I did as a young man -- write letters by hand and think of creative items to send (I would often send old newspaper clippings, book pages, etc that I found for pennies on ebay, along with an index card).

I think you have to do it yourself and do it the hard way to really get the value out of it. If I had just bought 8x10's and shipped them out en masse, I don't think I'd care about the items like I do now. As it is, I wouldn't trade my computer paper printouts of low-res internet photos with signatures of guys like Ace Adama, Elden Auker, and Moose Skowron for anything!

That being said, I have considered sending a request out to Carl Erskine. I got a very nice Roman vintage reproduction Brooklyn Dodgers cap for $10 on ebay, and it would look great with his fine signature on it. If I do, though, I think I will include a note that I've made a substantial donation to his autism charity -- he already beautifully signed a baseball for me 12 years ago, and I think that as an adult it is only right that his effort go towards a good cause.

[mighty bombjack]

I have gotten a few in recent years, including this guy just put in the Hall!



I also got Pat Gillick this last year, whose address I got on thebenchtrading.com

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by mighty bombjack

I have gotten a few in recent years, including this guy just put in the Hall!

Just got an email from Steiner that indicates they now have a Barry Larkin exclusive.

So I guess that means it'll cost around $200 to add his HOF Postcard to my collection.

[Vintagedegu]

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[Vintagedegu]

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[mschwade]

Originally Posted by jt39

There is no feeling in the world like rushing to the mailbox to look for folded-over envelopes with my handwritten address on them!

I still get that rush whenever I buy something or trade something.

Got that same feeling at the mailbox when my son's index card came back signed by Jim Tressel He put an inscription "To Chase - Come to Ohio State! Jim Tressel"

[jt39]

Those kind of inscriptions are the best -- my two favorite were from Irv Noren and Phil Rizzuto, both of whom thanked me effusively for writing them.

I think what makes the TTM experience different for me is that you never really know what is inside -- which player is it? Did they sign? Is Phil Rizzuto himself really going to send back the $15 check I wrote him and write on it that "there is no charge, that's just what the agents say"?!

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by jt39

Those kind of inscriptions are the best -- my two favorite were from Irv Noren and Phil Rizzuto, both of whom thanked me effusively for writing them.

I think what makes the TTM experience different for me is that you never really know what is inside -- which player is it? Did they sign? Is Phil Rizzuto himself really going to send back the $15 check I wrote him and write on it that "there is no charge, that's just what the agents say"?!

Neat story on Scooter! I was bummed he couldn't be there for the All Star Game the last year of the Stadium.

The TTM experience was something I thoroughly enjoyed as a child and I wanted to make sure my son experienced that too.

[Big Six]

I still do...check out Sportsgraphing.com. Send me a note and I can help you more, too. Matt

[thenavarro]

Originally Posted by mschwade

I started my son's autograph collection TTM recently, getting mostly in-state guys that he'll know. Anybody else still collect through the mail? What sites do you use for addresses and what's the success rate?

Thanks,
Matt

I use sportscollectors.net and it's great to give you addresses, signing trends, success rates, exactly what items are likely to be signed, fees (if any), etc. It's a subscription only site with a nominal charge of around $15 annually if I remember correctly. (may be a little more or a little less, but well worth the cost IMO)

[Ericc22]

I love TTM as a Father-Son activity. I blogged about it here, if anyone is interested:

http://www.9goodones.com/2011/12/22/...ning-to-write/

The gist of the post is that TTM is such a rewarding activity for kids, that it actually teaches them to write. I couldn't bribe my kids to write a school assignment with a positive attitude. But they have never complained about writing for TTM.

And I agree, the best part are the surprises you get. Carl Erskine wrote my kids a very nice note. George Shuba included a book for them with a note. And Don Mueller, RIP, also sent back a note and a nice inscription on the ball.

I also use sportscollectors.net. It is very helpful for knowing who is worth trying for and who is not.

Would love any suggestions and tips!

Eric

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by Ericc22

I love TTM as a Father-Son activity. I blogged about it here, if anyone is interested:

http://www.9goodones.com/2011/12/22/...ning-to-write/

The gist of the post is that TTM is such a rewarding activity for kids, that it actually teaches them to write. I couldn't bribe my kids to write a school assignment with a positive attitude. But they have never complained about writing for TTM.

And I agree, the best part are the surprises you get. Carl Erskine wrote my kids a very nice note. George Shuba included a book for them with a note. And Don Mueller, RIP, also sent back a note and a nice inscription on the ball.

I also use sportscollectors.net. It is very helpful for knowing who is worth trying for and who is not.

Would love any suggestions and tips!

Eric

Nice Eric! But where did your 11 and 12 year old kids get 1951 Topps cards from?! Nice blog, enjoyed reading it!

[CW]

I don't collect autos TTM, but I do check in on a thread across the street that shows how cool a TTM collection can be. Mike over on the CU forums chose an interesting theme, created some clean cards with old school logos, and amassed a very nice collection:
http://forums.collectors.com/message...hreadid=841685

(he might also be a good person to contact about addresses, etc.)

[mr2686]

Matt, I got both Bob Hale and Tex Clevenger, from the 61 Yankees, last year through the mail. Mr. Clevenger even sent additional cards back which was really cool. I've been using Sportscollectors.net to get addresses and hope to get some additonal requests sent out this month.

[Ericc22]

Originally Posted by mschwade

Nice Eric! But where did your 11 and 12 year old kids get 1951 Topps cards from?! Nice blog, enjoyed reading it!

Thanks Matt! Yea, my kids are rather spoiled in that I still have my cards from when I was a kid.....

Eric Cohen
http://www.9goodones.com

[chaddurbin]

Great thread! Brings me back to the early 90's where I'd find team addresses in Beckett guides and send out cards ttm that way. I still have them Andy Benes Troy Aikman Raul Mondesi Brett Favre a bunch of Jagrs love going to mail box seeing if my sase returned to me

[murphusa]

I started my autograph collection back in the early 60's be mailing out items to players. I still send out about 20 items a month with a success rate of about 70%