Roy Campenlla Thoughts

[MacDice]

Back in the late 1980's, Campanella started using a machine that allowed him to "sign" his name. Curious as to what people thought of those signatures? I have had some people tell me that they don't look at that version of his signature as "authentic" because of the machine and look at them as a semi auto pen signature. Curious as to what others think?

[GrayGhost]

That is how I feel. If you are looking for a Campy, save your money and buy a pre accident

[tazdmb]

Good question, I have considered the post-accident autographs "authentic" but I can see where you could see both points of view. I know that PSA/DNA has an autograph rarity scale and they list Campanella at an 8 (with the likes of Cobb, Comiskey and Stearnes), with 10 being the rarest. So it seems they treat his post-accident signature as a type of autopen.

IMHO-Even post accident, each signature he made with the device was unique and he had played some part, both mentally and physically, in each signature that was signed, so I count it.

Just my 2 cents.

[whyconform]

Taz do you have a link or the source to this "rarity scale"?

[Klrdds]

I agree that it is best to save your money and get a pre-accident autograph , besides his pre-accident signature I believe is very attractive and displays nicely.

[Klrdds]

Here is the link to that set registry PSA site http://www.psacard.com/dnasetregistr...tion.aspx?c=37

[daves_resale_shop]

If anyone is looking for one, please message me... My 1948 ap may be available for cash or trade.

Cheers!
Dave

[Teamgluck]

Originally Posted by Klrdds

Here is the link to that set registry PSA site http://www.psacard.com/dnasetregistr...tion.aspx?c=37

That set has a bonus 1 next to Addie Joss. If that means that that personal collector has a Addie Joss auto I would really like to see it and have never seen one before.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Klrdds

I agree that it is best to save your money and get a pre-accident autograph , besides his pre-accident signature I believe is very attractive and displays nicely.

Got these (and many others) during spring training in 1957. Clearly the best thing I did as a 9 year old. Free too.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by MacDice

Back in the late 1980's, Campanella started using a machine that allowed him to "sign" his name.

Does anyone have a picture of the machine? I've always wondered how it worked.

[1963Topps Set]

I saw Campy sign at a show in the late 1980s for $350.00 and he was using this so called auto pen. I didn't like it. Very sloppy, one person complained Campy messed up his item. I don't count it, I'd rather have a pre accident signature.

[Fuddjcal]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHk4_AHMyZw

this is how I remember seeing him from 1990-1993, when our seats were on the same club level. This movie is from 1974, and I think he actually got better at signing 15 years later? I didn't care about autographs then and I am sorry I never took pictures. I did get many autographs from 1970-1973, when I sat on the field level with gramps.( I sat next to Casey Stengel in 1971 and he signed my program 3 times, but that's for any day. I was 10)

My friend does swear that when I took him to the game, he got Campy's signature on a ball. He still has it. I looked at it a few years ago when I visited him and it looked remarkably good.

Like I said, I remember him moving his hands pretty well, as he was always shaking peoples hands. I just had my mouth opened and stared mostly. While I remember the stamp, his wife signing & apparently he signed as well.

I know there are some photos floating around of him signing the leather panels of the backward stitched balls he did for scoreboard with the machine (Maybe Ken G. has some photos or info to add?)

The funny thing is, from my memories, I think he signed better with-out the stupid machine, but it allowed him to sign more items and for a longer period of time. Anyway, I just loved the guy and still do.

[MacDice]

I think that even with the device that he had problems signing his name small. Seen signatures on bats and photos but not many cards. Would love to see a signed 1957 Topps

[david4602]

This is a strange one. When i started collecting in the mid 70s I too was in the camp that the post accident signatures of Campanella were not the "real" thing. Looking back this was groupthink...perpetuated by the fact that his wife could them sign his legal signature. And many of signatures in the market were by her. So you had 3 camps...those that only wanted pre-accident (majority), those that wanted to save money and get the post-accident scrawl, and thirdly those that would accept his legal signature (signed by his wife) to "check the box" on having his signature.

Looking back, there is no reason to think that his pre-accident signature is less authentic than his post accident. It is harder to authenticate (unless it comes with notarization, which he did at many shows late in life). I wish I had a signed HOF plaque...all I have now is Perez Steele.

Tons of players have signicantly different signatures at age 80 than 40, and when you throw in strokes by folks like Combs, Haines, Leonard with the significant aging associated with Grove and others, its tough to make the case not to collect post accident signatures.