Net54 Exemplar File

[Runscott]

'Flies in the ointment' are good.

I google in order to make decisions, but many will google, find a sig with an associated loa, and decide that's an 'exemplar'. The expertise in this subforum allows us to make better decisions. Just wondering if we can tap our own expertise in a more organized fashion.

[Sean1125]

I could contribute a few Mantles, Dimaggios, and Williams to exemplars. I would be interested to see what others would contribute.

[Runscott]

Leon, here's an idea.

I think others have a good point that the discussions are more valuable than actual exemplars. What if we had a sub-forum of autograph discussions, with threads grouped by player? That way, if someone had a question about Mantle, for example (rhyme), they could go find the 'Mantle' area and look through various discussion threads.

The trick would be deciding which discussions were worthy of adding as exemplars.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Leon, here's an idea.

I think others have a good point that the discussions are more valuable than actual exemplars. What if we had a sub-forum of autograph discussions, with threads grouped by player? That way, if someone had a question about Mantle, for example (rhyme), they could go find the 'Mantle' area and look through various discussion threads.

The trick would be deciding which discussions were worthy of adding as exemplars.

I will help with anything ya'll want Scott. Historically, interest has waned quickly in these types of ventures (see game used forums on this board) but I am willing to do whatever you guys want. As mentioned, I only have limited personal interest, at best, in autographs. I did add an Ali one to the subforum . You guys figure out what you want, and if it has enough interest.....then we can go from there. It really doesn't matter how ya'll do it, to me. It's ya'lls ball of wax......

[mr2686]

If there is going to be an exemplar file, I think it would be useful to add in the description of each autograph if it was obtained first person, obtain from which dealer (if applicable) and approximate year signed (if known). I think that would help to show variations from year to year etc.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Leon, here's an idea.

I think others have a good point that the discussions are more valuable than actual exemplars. What if we had a sub-forum of autograph discussions, with threads grouped by player? That way, if someone had a question about Mantle, for example (rhyme), they could go find the 'Mantle' area and look through various discussion threads.

The trick would be deciding which discussions were worthy of adding as exemplars.

I could easily move threads to that forum I just created...and have it as read only. Again, whatever you guys want is fine by me.

edited to add...I deleted that forum, it was only to show what can be done. The jury is out...

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by Runscott

'Flies in the ointment' are good.

I google in order to make decisions, but many will google, find a sig with an associated loa, and decide that's an 'exemplar'. The expertise in this subforum allows us to make better decisions. Just wondering if we can tap our own expertise in a more organized fashion.

Excellent suggestion. The biggest thing (besides obviously accuracy with these examples) will be searchability!

[Maddog]

Love the idea. This is exactly what the hobby needs and I'll contribute whatever I can.
The only problem I see is, as mentioned, it's probably better to describe what makes a particular autograph "good" versus just posting a photo. Not sure how many to the "Top Guns" would share that hard learned knowledge.
Also, I remember discussing this with an esteemed member here a while back and we agreed that to do something like this really well would be about the size of a dozen volume set
It's worth a shot.

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by Maddog

Love the idea. This is exactly what the hobby needs and I'll contribute whatever I can.
The only problem I see is, as mentioned, it's probably better to describe what makes a particular autograph "good" versus just posting a photo. Not sure how many to the "Top Guns" would share that hard learned knowledge.
Also, I remember discussing this with an esteemed member here a while back and we agreed that to do something like this really well would be about the size of a dozen volume set
It's worth a shot.

I think its a Great idea too , In fact a sensational idea ...in theory, But in practice ? Don't know.

I can speak for most autograph dealers/collectors at least the ones that I know and they have never been cheap with their time or efforts to help with authentication and most of us do it for free or a nominal fee.

Its not like there is some deep dark secret in sharing the WHY either .....but usually the WHY can't be condensed into a 30 second sound bite or cookie cutter description of slant , formation etc.

The best example I can think of is I turn on my car one morning and hear a clacking noise, Knowing nothing about mechanics I take it to the guy that works on my car who's been working on cars for 40 years and before I even get half way in the driveway he says "Oh.... its the catalytic condenser filter whats a whos it"

Now my answer to that is "Can you fix it ? & How long will it take ?" ........OR..........I can ask him "HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT ? or WHY ?"

Now if he was kind enough to pull up a chair and TRY and condense what it has taken him 40 years to learn into ...maybe an hour, As intently as I would try and listen I would not have a CLUE what he was talking about.

I hate to admit this but I have never even read the "owners manual" for my car.... Does anyone ???

Well explaining the what's and whys of if an autograph is real (or not) IN DETAIL is a lot like that. No great genius at work. Just time and practice.

Albert Einstein was asked once if he carried around a note pad and pencil with him....he asked "Why?" and the interviewer said "In case you get any great ideas you can write them down and share them" and Einstein said "I rarely get any good ideas" ... (apparently when he got them they were REAL DOOZIES) .....point is time and practice makes a lot of seemingly complicated things second nature , from physics to car care and everything in between
__________________________
jim@stinsonsports.com

Jim Stinson Buying and Selling Vintage Baseball Autographs
stinsonsports.com

[David Atkatz]

What he said.

[JimStinson]

jim@stinsonsports.com

[Runscott]

I agree with what Jim said and I find all the "is this Mantle real?" threads at least interesting enough to open.

Random is fine with me. Just thought maybe we could channel some of the expertise that we have here.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

I think its a Great idea too , In fact a sensational idea ...in theory, But in practice ? Don't know.

+1

To untrained eyes, decent fakes "look the same" as real exemplars. A gallery of verified exemplars might help someone get their start, but will not be a shortcut to expertise.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

+1

To untrained eyes, decent fakes "look the same" as real exemplars. A gallery of verified exemplars might help someone get their start, but will not be a shortcut to expertise.

Interesting thought - I hadn't thought of this as a shortcut to expertise, or even to help someone get their start. I was merely thinking of a way to gather the forum's expertise in such a way that people would have things (either discussion threads or exemplars) to look at before they started new "hey, is this real?" threads.

But it looks like very few (if any) of the forum's experts are interested in such an idea. Let me ask it a different way: we've proposed grouping 'exemplar' discussion threads under player 'area' instead of actually posting exemplars. Is this a workable solution? Or is that also too much like sharing expertise?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Interesting thought - I hadn't thought of this as a shortcut to expertise, or even to help someone get their start. I was merely thinking of a way to gather the forum's expertise in such a way that people would have things (either discussion threads or exemplars) to look at before they started new "hey, is this real?" threads.

But it looks like very few (if any) of the forum's experts are interested in such an idea. Let me ask it a different way: we've proposed grouping 'exemplar' discussion threads under player 'area' instead of actually posting exemplars. Is this a workable solution? Or is that also too much like sharing expertise?

Scott- I think there is a lot of interest and even more apathy.

[Runscott]

Thanks for the helpful comment, Travis. Do you have anything to add that would pertain to the actual topic?