What used to be the consensus on getting Vintage cards signed?

[Seven]

I feel like getting cards signed now, is pretty commonplace, especially with the advent of companies releasing cards with players autographs on them. For those that have been in the Hobby for a long time, and started collecting during the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80s etc, how did people back then feel about getting their cards signed? Did people pass on an opportunity to get a card signed because they thought it would "ruin" the card?

[packs]

I remember when I was getting into collecting as a kid in the 90s it wasn't unusual to walk around the card show and see signed versions of cards priced lower than their unsigned counterparts. These were the days before grading and TPA's but it seemed like in general the rule of thumb was an autographed card has undesirable writing on it.

I also think this might be the reason there are so many later issue Mantle and DiMaggio and Ted Williams signed cards (like the old Pacific and Ted Williams company cards). People I think were reluctant to have their "good" cards signed but happy to add a signature to something else.

[Steve D]

You are absolutely correct. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, if you wanted to get a card signed, you picked one that wasn't valuable to begin with, as getting a card signed seriously reduced it's value.

You never got a star's rookie card signed, nor did you get a card like a 1970 Topps Bench, or 1972 Topps Garvey or Carew signed.

Steve

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

I started collecting in the late 1980s, so I don't satisfy your field criteria. However, I subscribed to a well-know price guide magazine during that period, as I'm sure most older collectors did as well, and religiously read every article every month.

I clearly remember one issue had an article that explained that an autograph actually decreased the card's value, because it was altering it. After reading that article, I would never have a player sign my best copy. I would purchase another one, usually one that was not in as good a condition as my main copy (because why would I purchase an expensive copy and then have the player's signature immediately reduce its value?), and have the player sign it.

Only if I would have know what I know now.

I updated my original post, I meant the 80's as well when I said etc! I'm not gonna lie the idea of having one original untouched copy and then one signed copy is something I really like. I'd amend it to have both of the cards around the same condition but I'm amazed by the fact that signed cards would book LESS back then.

Originally Posted by Steve D

You are absolutely correct. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, if you wanted to get a card signed, you picked one that wasn't valuable to begin with, as getting a card signed seriously reduced it's value.

You never got a star's rookie card signed, nor did you get a card like a 1970 Topps Bench, or 1972 Topps Garvey or Carew signed.

Steve

Pretty incredible to think about, I can imagine someone having a Willie Mays 51 Bowman and his 67 topps and saying "I'm gonna keep the bowman as it is and get this cheaper topps signed!"

[riggs336]

I distinctly remember a card show in the '70s where i passed on a '53 Topps Mantle because Mantle had ruined it by defacing it with his signature.

[Steve D]

I also remember that the players even knew about the "rule". More than once, I would hear or see a player ask the person if they were sure they wanted them to sign a particular card, as that was "my rookie card". Mickey Mantle would ask that if someone gave him his '52 Topps card to sign at a show.

Steve

[Tyruscobb]

I started collecting in the late 1980s, so I don't satisfy your field criteria. However, I subscribed to a well-know price guide magazine during that period, as I'm sure most older collectors did as well, and religiously read every article every month.

I clearly remember one issue had an article that explained that an autograph actually decreased the card's value, because it was altering it. After reading that article, I would never have a player sign my best copy. I would purchase another one, usually one that was not in as good a condition as my main copy (because why would I purchase an expensive copy and then have the player's signature immediately reduce its value?), and have the player sign it.

Only if I would have know what I know now.

[Schlesinj]

Just got back from Nolan Ryan Foundation (with hologram on back). First card I bought 15+ years ago from eBay after my getting my first real job (card was marked on a corner).

Ryan Auto.jpg


*Also bought a Jordan rookie and it turned out to fake (man I so wish it is real now).