Signed Rookie Cards

[theshleps]

Back when I started collecting, seriously signed rookie cards were not priced very different from 2nd or 3rd year cards. Now they are out of sight as we all know. Take Stargell who on a regular card may be $30 and a RC is $1000+. Any idea why this started? In many ways the last card the player has would be much harder to get signed.
From 2002-2010 I did spring training and got lots of stars though not on rookie cards as I just did cards I liked the look of and oddball ones (Konami etc). Thing is on the new and upcoming stars Trout, Harper, etc rookie card signatures should be the most common as they were much more gracious signers before they became big stars. Once they've been in the big leagues a few years they are much harder autographs to get.

[packs]

I think it's just the nature of the rookie card in general. Unless we're talking about the 52 Mantle or some short print / variation, typically the rookie card is the most valuable card for any player without a signature.

[felada]

The run up on signed rookies started about a year ago. I picked up a mays right before they started with the insane prices and very happy I did. Like everything else I suspect there will be a pullback at some point.

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by theshleps

Back when I started collecting, seriously signed rookie cards were not priced very different from 2nd or 3rd year cards. Now they are out of sight as we all know. Take Stargell who on a regular card may be $30 and a RC is $1000+. Any idea why this started? In many ways the last card the player has would be much harder to get signed.
From 2002-2010 I did spring training and got lots of stars though not on rookie cards as I just did cards I liked the look of and oddball ones (Konami etc). Thing is on the new and upcoming stars Trout, Harper, etc rookie card signatures should be the most common as they were much more gracious signers before they became big stars. Once they've been in the big leagues a few years they are much harder autographs to get.

$1,000 for a signed Stargell rookie? Maybe two years ago. I have one and would still pay $1,000 a pop for one today...short of the card being in such bad shape it looks like Kleenex.

Tom C

[Mark70Z]

I was going to start a run on signed Brooks Robinson cards and have tried to pick up a signed rookie. The problem, at least for me I guess, is that I want a relatively vintage signature, in pen, on the card. There are numerous rookie cards signed in sharpie, at a decent price as well, but just can't do it.

I'm unsure why the escalating prices, but I do know they are rising at a fast pace.

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

I was going to start a run on signed Brooks Robinson cards and have tried to pick up a signed rookie. The problem, at least for me I guess, is that I want a relatively vintage signature, in pen, on the card. There are numerous rookie cards signed in sharpie, at a decent price as well, but just can't do it.

I'm unsure why the escalating prices, but I do know they are rising at a fast pace.

I agree with the vintage pen aspect. I paid at least a 50% premium for my Stargell signed rookie as it was signed in 1963 or 1964.

Tom C

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by btcarfagno

I agree with the vintage pen aspect. I paid at least a 50% premium for my Stargell signed rookie as it was signed in 1963 or 1964.

Tom C

Tom,

How bout a picture? Would love to see it.

[Rookiemonster]

First off the Stargell is a exception because he passed away young. Modern cards a different animal all together, it's apples and oranges. I know I was always told not to get a nice card autograph. That if I wanted to have one signed I should use a beater. This is were I noticed the difference. You see a lot of vintagevsigned cards in excellent condition that are now bringing a premium.

[btcarfagno]

I had a Stargell and. Rose both with rookie era signatures. I sold the Rose.






Tom C

[JohnnyFinance7]

I recently started collecting again after a 20 year hiatus. Where does everyone typically purchase signed vintage rookie cards? I tried my local baseball card shops with not much success.

EBay? Auction Houses? I've been purchasing items here and there through EBay. Just curious what everyone else does.

Cool article, Mike.

[mrmopar]

I've "ruined" a number of rookie cards with signatures, but nothing earth shattering. I would have sent Duke Snider his RC for signatures while he was still alive, but I was always too afraid of losing it in the mail.

I am one of those minority of collectors who don't mind an otherwise great card, signed.