1994 National Autograph Price List

[Lordstan]

I agree about some of the flat prices, but it all depends on what the flat is. Many of those HOFers photos can be had on ebay really cheap, so many of those prices are really a no gain situation.
It's the rise from these prices that makes me wonder why anyone would pay for something generic to be signed at $50 or more. As an example, I looked Juan Marichal. He was $12 then and a recent private signing is $35. A search on ebay show only 3 photos out of about 40 sold for more than $30. Many that sold had PSA certs, which of course, adds more to the cost. I am sure, I could find other examples as well.
For me, unless it is a unique item, I will buy one on ebay rather than at a show or signing.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

I agree about some of the flat prices, but it all depends on what the flat is. Many of those HOFers photos can be had on ebay really cheap, so many of those prices are really a no gain situation.
It's the rise from these prices that makes me wonder why anyone would pay for something generic to be signed at $50 or more. As an example, I looked Juan Marichal. He was $12 then and a recent private signing is $35. A search on ebay show only 3 photos out of about 40 sold for more than $30. Many that sold had PSA certs, which of course, adds more to the cost. I am sure, I could find other examples as well.
For me, unless it is a unique item, I will buy one on ebay rather than at a show or signing.

With the amount of fraud that exists in the hobby why on earth would one buy an autograph off of ebay??? In person, I am willing to pay a little more so the promoter can make a profit. I get to see the player and witness the signature. IMHO, certifications are a license to print money. Tell, me what happens to the coa database when the certifying company goes out of business? COAONLINE used to handle authenticating items at CSA shows. I believe COAONLINE is now defunct. Poof, the coa database is history. Yes, companies like UD, and well known promoters (Tristar, MAB etc.) will likely be known on this site long after the business is gone. But what about the smaller outfits? You just can't be sure about any signature you or a trusted friend did not witness. With, IP your eyes authenticate the item. At the onset of this collecting madness (aka hobby) I vowed to get all signatures in person. For 15 years, I kept that promise before relenting and asking my brother-in-law to get Sam McDowell's signature on an SI for me. It was 18 years before I actually got an item signed via mail order. I create a record for each signature; item signed, date and place, promoter, items advertising the event, ticket stubs etc. anything that places me at the venue when the player was signing. All mail order and TTM signatures are lesser names, that if forging is taking place, so be it. I am not going to sweat it if my Wally Moon, Norm Sherry, or Scott Posednik signatures are fakes.

Yes, there are those who live in an area that does not have major shows nearby. I feel for you, but I would stick with mail order with the bigger promoters CSA, Tristar, MAB etc.

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by biohazard

With the amount of fraud that exists in the hobby why on earth would one buy an autograph off of ebay???

Perhaps I over reacted, but your very first statement was pretty demonstrative about how you felt.

I also never said, you shouldn't be able to collect the way you want. I even stated exactly that there was nothing wrong with it.

Of course the Mantle, Dimaggio, Williams that sell for $200 are bad. Those are the easy ones to spot. No experienced auto collector worth their salt would ever buy one of those.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Perhaps I over reacted, but your very first statement was pretty demonstrative about how you felt.

I also never said, you shouldn't be able to collect the way you want. I even stated exactly that there was nothing wrong with it.

Of course the Mantle, Dimaggio, Williams that sell for $200 are bad. Those are the easy ones to spot. No experienced auto collector worth their salt would ever buy one of those.

No worries. We are just having conversation. I would be hard pressed to drop serious $ on a big name autograph that was on ebay. That is just me.