Whiy is an autograph on a card worth 10X

[UKCardGuy]

So here's a loaded question. Take vintage card worth $25 (probably mid-grade). The same players autograph on a photo mighbe worth $50. But when that same players autograph is on the vintage card, it is suddenly worth $750?

Csn someone please explain this to me because it just seems nuts.

[egri]

Set collectors have something to do with it. If I want a signed 8x10 of Willie Mays batting in a NY Giants uniform, there’s plenty out there that fit those criteria, and the prices reflect that. But if I’m building a 1957 Topps set, it has to be that one, I can’t use a different year or brand instead. So when one does come up, I need to bid accordingly, since it’s a very specific thing I’m after and I’m competing with every other set builder for it as well. There’s also a time crunch for players who died young; Harry Agganis signatures are relatively plentiful, as he had a successful career at BU before turning pro (there are several on eBay right now) but he only had a couple of months to sign his 1955 Topps card. A cut signature might go for several hundred dollars, while two copies of his Topps card sold this spring for $15,000 and $27,000.

[UKCardGuy]

Originally Posted by egri

Set collectors have something to do with it. If I want a signed 8x10 of Willie Mays batting in a NY Giants uniform, there’s plenty out there that fit those criteria, and the prices reflect that. But if I’m building a 1957 Topps set, it has to be that one, I can’t use a different year or brand instead. So when one does come up, I need to bid accordingly, since it’s a very specific thing I’m after and I’m competing with every other set builder for it as well. There’s also a time crunch for players who died young; Harry Agganis signatures are relatively plentiful, as he had a successful career at BU before turning pro (there are several on eBay right now) but he only had a couple of months to sign his 1955 Topps card. A cut signature might go for several hundred dollars, while two copies of his Topps card sold this spring for $15,000 and $27,000.

Thanks guys. I get that for some scenarios (e.g. Agganis 55T) the rarity commands a premium. But other times, it seems to me that there's a multiplier on an autographed card that sometimes defies logic.

I expected that autographed set collectors were a pretty niche group. But I've probably massively misunderstood the market.

Excepting the rarities like 55T Agganis, is there a general rule of thumb about the value of an autographed card vs an autographed photo?

[egri]

Originally Posted by UKCardGuy

Thanks guys. I get that for some scenarios (e.g. Agganis 55T) the rarity commands a premium. But other times, it seems to me that there's a multiplier on an autographed card that sometimes defies logic.

I expected that autographed set collectors were a pretty niche group. But I've probably massively misunderstood the market.

Excepting the rarities like 55T Agganis, is there a general rule of thumb about the value of an autographed card vs an autographed photo?

I don't know if there is a rule for the ratio of the values of each, just that cards tend to outsell photos. Maybe one of the other members with experience selling can chime in with their opinion.

[big-six]

Every thread should have a card or two.

[Republicaninmass]

I always hated to look and storage of signed balls. 8x 10 photos dont have that vintage look. For a player to HAVE TOUCHED his own card, and the thought of the story that went along with it, is magic to me. Long before card shows, cards would have had to have been carried to the ball park with the luck to get it signed.

[joejo20]

I really like the way a well placed bold signature on a card looks and would rather have a card signed than just about anything else. Not sure that makes it worth 10 times more though. Joe


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[mrmopar]

egri hit it on the head as far as i am concerned, but also consider the volume of cards available unsigned vs the limited quantity available signed, with some cards being much more scarce (like the Agganis example).

Mantle signed a lot of stuff, but how many folks had him sign various vintage cards. Even fewer probably risked the mighty 52 Topps. Makes that card extremely expensive either way, but extremely rare signed.

I have always looked at it this way, if I am going to get a card signed, it's not going to be a reprint or a Pacific/Swell legends card, it is going to be the players best card I could afford.

[sreader3]

I collect autographed cards. I don’t collect autographs that are not on cards. The price I will pay for an autographed card is not tightly correlated to the difficulty of the player’s autograph. There are some autographed cards that are hard to find, even if the player’s autograph is not hard to find in general. I will use ‘72 Topps Duane Josephson as an example. Not a hard autograph to find, but a hard autograph to find on a ‘72 Topps. There are countless other examples.

[egri]

Every once in a while, someone will resurrect the Toughest Signed Cards Possible thread, and there’s plenty of guys in there who aren’t difficult to find signatures of, but are very difficult on specific cards, or even cards in general.

[sreader3]

Originally Posted by egri

Every once in a while, someone will resurrect the Toughest Signed Cards Possible thread, and there’s plenty of guys in there who aren’t difficult to find signatures of, but are very difficult on specific cards, or even cards in general.

Agreed Scott. I echo your sentiment and your original post was more comprehensive than mine. I collect 72 Topps and signed examples of certain Series 5 and 6 guys are damn near impossible.

[Santo10Fan]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

Mantle signed a lot of stuff, but how many folks had him sign various vintage cards. Even fewer probably risked the mighty 52 Topps. Makes that card extremely expensive either way, but extremely rare signed.

I have always looked at it this way, if I am going to get a card signed, it's not going to be a reprint or a Pacific/Swell legends card, it is going to be the players best card I could afford.

This is an interesting point bc I remember as a child in the 1980's I was specifically told by my dealer uncle that autographs on rookie cards would count against overall condition. I probably should have sought more detail, but he gave me the impression that Mantle signing a 52 Topps would devalue it the same as if I had scribbled on it.

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Santo10Fan

This is an interesting point bc I remember as a child in the 1980's I was specifically told by my dealer uncle that autographs on rookie cards would count against overall condition. I probably should have sought more detail, but he gave me the impression that Mantle signing a 52 Topps would devalue it the same as if I had scribbled on it.

Yes, an autograph on a vintage card was nothing more than an 'MK' qualifier now.

I remember back in 1986 I went to see Willie Mays at an outdoor show. Free autographs and there was no one in the line to see him. I had taken a book, SI, and a post-career insert card. Ended up also getting a dollar bill signed because he was just sitting there with no one in line. The thought of having him deface one of my playing years cards didn't even cross my mind. Dammit.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

I remember back in 1986 I went to see Willie Mays at an outdoor show. Free autographs and there was no one in the line to see him. I had taken a book, SI, and a post-career insert card. Ended up also getting a dollar bill signed because he was just sitting there with no one in line. The thought of having him deface one of my playing years cards didn't even cross my mind. Dammit.

Reminds me of a story I've told here before:

The mom of one of my HS track teammates was a professional photographer, and in the 1980s she was hired to cover a show with Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. She spent the whole day at arms length from the two of them, making conversation, and at the end of the day they offered to sign as much stuff for her as she would like, for free. She said no, she didn't collect autographs.