I would like your opinion...

[pokerplyr80]

If you're into putting sets together from your favorite team I would think adding a signature from one of those players would be pretty cool. Getting an entire set from a particular year signed may prove very difficult but I would prefer an autographed card in slightly lower grade to an unsigned card.

As others have already said though, just collect what you like.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Thanks for the input, fellas. I don't think I would ever seek to complete every Cardinals team set in signed fashion...maybe a few here or there. Also, IMHO, some sets like '53 Bowman Color have such beautiful images that I wouldn't want a player's signature or anything else obscuring the image.

I do, however, see the point some of you have made about how cool it is to think the player held that card at some point. So, I might buy a few signed cards depending on the set I am working on. Like Al said, all Cardinals cards are good ones!

[flkersn]

I think that signed cards are a distraction. Unless the signature has a meaning for me (maybe signed in front of me at a ball park), I think the signature detracts from the value. And I am always concerned about unauthentic signatures. I know waaaay too many people (including one dealer) who have confessed to practicing signatures and signing cards and selling them on E-Bay.

[7nohitter]

I love signed cards....as others have mentioned, I enjoy knowing that even for the briefest of moments that card was touched by the player.

I am working on a collection of the Perez-Steel Greatest moment pieces, signed. Many of the subjects in that series were long gone and it is annoying to see auto, auto, auto, auto, NO AUTO, auto....

Neurosis I guess.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by flkersn

I think that signed cards are a distraction. Unless the signature has a meaning for me (maybe signed in front of me at a ball park), I think the signature detracts from the value. And I am always concerned about unauthentic signatures. I know waaaay too many people (including one dealer) who have confessed to practicing signatures and signing cards and selling them on E-Bay.

This would be a concern of mine as well. Although certainly not fool proof, I would stick to PSA graded if buying signed cards.

[Beatles Guy]

I collect Cardinals as well and was really only looking for unsigned cards for my team sets. I did run across a few however that were too good to pass up, including a '52 Bowman Slaughter.

[Mark70Z]

I personally like them both. I have a few autographed cards, but all of the cards are of Brooks Robinson (have other signed pieces, but not on cards). I don't really actively search for autographed cards, but if I see one I like I will pick it up. I do prefer them signed in pen and in an aesthetically pleasing placement. With Brooksie's signature sometimes it is hard to do unless it's an early one. On his particular cards the item is typically far less to purchase than the unsigned version.

I think either way is cool, but as many said collect what you like. I personally just collect for a hobby, so really not too interested in the resale value.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

I personally like them both. I have a few autographed cards, but all of the cards are of Brooks Robinson (have other signed pieces, but not on cards). I don't really actively search for autographed cards, but if I see one I like I will pick it up. I do prefer them signed in pen and in an aesthetically pleasing placement. With Brooksie's signature sometimes it is hard to do unless it's an early one. On his particular cards the item is typically far less to purchase than the unsigned version.

I think either way is cool, but as many said collect what you like. I personally just collect for a hobby, so really not too interested in the resale value.

I feel much the same. It is a hobby for me plain and simple. A nice diversion after a tough day at work. ...