Auto ball or photo?

[dapro]

If you guys can only pickup one auto item. You rather get an auto baseball or auto photo? For example, a Mantle piece.

[ATP]

If it was just one item, definitely on a ball in my opinion. If you plan on showing it off, a ball gets more looks and almost anyone, even non basbeall fans, will probably recognize or at least be familiar with a Mickey Mantle autographed ball. But, if you already have a large collection, I can see the draw of wanting autographs on flat items. For some of the groups of things I collect, I prefer them on flats, checks, documents, cuts now as they take up less space.

[Mr. Zipper]

I've drawn the line on balls and bats to my absolute favorites. Otherwise they take up way too much real estate to store. I basically collect HOFers and a handful of my favorite Yankees. Here is my thinking:

* Favorite players - Baseballs primary and then 8x10s. Sometimes a signed bat if I can't resist and price is right.
* HOFers - plaque postcards

[Maddog]

I agree with Steve. I always collected baseballs but after a while you need a lot of room to store them. I go with photos, HOF cards or regular cards now.