National Autograph Tickets: Regular vs. Inscriptions

[steve B]

Originally Posted by packs

The $39 inscription fee is added to the base autograph fee, it doesn't replace the fee.

So I can't just buy the inscription?

That's the sort of thing I might do if I was in an odd mood, just get his HR total or something but no autograph.

[Mr. Zipper]

It would be one thing if for the fee you actually got a nice experience, I.E, a great photo… A few minutes of undistracted time… Etc. But the sad fact of the matter is, more often than not, players can’t even be bothered to look up at you and acknowledge your presence.

Sucky experience… lousy autograph… herded through like cattle.

It’s beyond insane that people actually pay these prices.

[Gary Dunaier]

For Frank Robinson, it's $99 for a "regular" item, which they define as "Any size flat item, baseball, cap, or mini helmets." All other items are classified as "premium," and it's $229 for an autograph on those.

Regarding steve B's comment about buying just the inscription without an autograph: it doesn't say anything on Robinson's page, and presumably the same is true on the other players' pages, but at the top of the autograph ticket page it says "Note: Inscriptions must be obtained at the same time as the autograph, and cannot be added to previously signed items. If you plan to purchase an inscription ticket, you must purchase an autograph ticket. You cannot enter the autograph line without an autograph ticket." (Bold added.)

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

For Frank Robinson, it's $99 for a "regular" item, which they define as "Any size flat item, baseball, cap, or mini helmets." All other items are classified as "premium," and it's $229 for an autograph on those.

Regarding steve B's comment about buying just the inscription without an autograph: it doesn't say anything on Robinson's page, and presumably the same is true on the other players' pages, but at the top of the autograph ticket page it says "Note: Inscriptions must be obtained at the same time as the autograph, and cannot be added to previously signed items. If you plan to purchase an inscription ticket, you must purchase an autograph ticket. You cannot enter the autograph line without an autograph ticket." (Bold added.)

My sense of odd humor is odd enough that nobody gets it.
I wouldn't buy the inscription as an add-on to some thing already signed.
I'd buy JUST the inscription. Like a ball with just his HR total.

Yes, it would be a really weird waste of money, but I think it could be really funny.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve B

My sense of odd humor is odd enough that nobody gets it.
I wouldn't buy the inscription as an add-on to some thing already signed.
I'd buy JUST the inscription. Like a ball with just his HR total.

Yes, it would be a really weird waste of money, but I think it could be really funny.

I like your style Steve. Not a big auto guy but I have noticed many times it says the players will NOT add inscriptions to already signed items.

I would pay just for Wade Boggs to add all his stats/accomplishments on the 3000 Hit SGA bat I have without adding a signature.

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by steve B

My sense of odd humor is odd enough that nobody gets it.
I wouldn't buy the inscription as an add-on to some thing already signed.
I'd buy JUST the inscription. Like a ball with just his HR total.

Yes, it would be a really weird waste of money, but I think it could be really funny.

It'd be a centerpiece of my collection! When people would ask "What's up with that?" I would reply "It was all I could afford."

[chalupacollects]

$229 for an autograph of a living player? Even an all time great? I, I can't... and standing on line for hours to be treated like cattle?? I would rather save that money to be used on a rarer old dead hall of fame player...

And I only have auto's really by default as part of collecting cards!

[Huck]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

$229 for an autograph of a living player? Even an all time great? I, I can't... and standing on line for hours to be treated like cattle?? I would rather save that money to be used on a rarer old dead hall of fame player...

And I only have auto's really by default as part of collecting cards!

Back in 1998, CSA had a Senator's reunion and managed to get Ted Williams to attend the show at $250 a pop (limited to 100 or 200 signatures). I bit hard but I knew it was my only shot to get Williams. There is no standing on line for hours and I have never felt that I was being treated like cattle. At times have certain promoters been disorganized as heck? Oh yes! It is a hobby. I make a decision to pay for an individuals time to sign an item. I am not looking for a long conversation with the individual or expecting to become fast friends. It is a transaction, with common courtesy from both parties. I leave happy with my item signed.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

I would rather save that money to be used on a rarer old dead hall of fame player...

Without seeing the item signed in person, you never really know if the item is real. The other day, I was channel surfing and caught an airing of the forger Greg Marino. I have seen the piece but I just had to watch it again. The process of make something look old and the sheer volume of items was still shocking. I rarely buy pre-signed material, but when the National was held in Baltimore (please come back) I purchased a b&w 8x10 of Ferris Fain from the former promoter of the Robert Morris show in Pittsburgh. I assume the Fain is legit. Who is/was making money off of forged Ferris Fain 8x10's? But I still wonder.....

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

Regarding steve B's comment about buying just the inscription without an autograph: it doesn't say anything on Robinson's page, and presumably the same is true on the other players' pages, but at the top of the autograph ticket page it says "Note: Inscriptions must be obtained at the same time as the autograph, and cannot be added to previously signed items. If you plan to purchase an inscription ticket, you must purchase an autograph ticket. You cannot enter the autograph line without an autograph ticket." (Bold added.)

Originally Posted by steve B

My sense of odd humor is odd enough that nobody gets it.
I wouldn't buy the inscription as an add-on to some thing already signed.
I'd buy JUST the inscription. Like a ball with just his HR total.

Yes, it would be a really weird waste of money, but I think it could be really funny.

Oh, I got the joke. You're talking to a guy who took a photo of a squirt bottle used by a member of the grounds crew at Citi Field and quipped that all it needed was an official MLB hologram and then it would be a genuine authenticated game-used item.

I posted the information about not being allowed to buy an inscription by itself for the benefit of those who might have been wondering if someone could do it if they were so inclined.

[Ryan1125]

I've never understood charging a bunch extra for, or refusing personalizations. I prefer all of my autographs "To Ryan", it bothers me to pay extra to make something way LESS valuable lol.

Obviously it's more handwriting so some sort of fee could be warranted but I'd like to think if I was signing I would enjoy personalizing items as I know that person truly wants it and will cherish it.

But hey, it's their call!

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

Oh, I got the joke. You're talking to a guy who took a photo of a squirt bottle used by a member of the grounds crew at Citi Field and quipped that all it needed was an official MLB hologram and then it would be a genuine authenticated game-used item.

I posted the information about not being allowed to buy an inscription by itself for the benefit of those who might have been wondering if someone could do it if they were so inclined.

LOL, I didn't even realize that was you.

Someone should do a contest for something like "dumbest sports collectible"

I'd say I might have something weird around, but I just know someone somewhere has the bits of card removed by a hole punch or some players discarded gum wrapper or something.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve B

LOL, I didn't even realize that was you.

Someone should do a contest for something like "dumbest sports collectible"

I'd say I might have something weird around, but I just know someone somewhere has the bits of card removed by a hole punch or some players discarded gum wrapper or something.

I resemble that remark. I still have the shavings of my Ted Williams rookie that I put new borders on. I had to square up the highly trimmed card before adding the new borders.

[mrmopar]

I know it's all about getting specific items signed in most cases and for some the meeting experience, but keeping in line with picking on Frank Robby, you can easily snag a manufacturers certified auto's card of his for under $15 delivered and on a good day, possibly even under $10!

It isn't beyond belief to see the autograph hobby disappear completely over time as the prices rise higher and higher, with experiences being impersonal and players making so much money that signing autographs is no longer a necessary/desired alternate revenue or charity stream and/or an honor for them, but a nuisance and not worth their time. Add in the increased risk of forgeries and it kind of loses it's appeal anyway.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

It isn't beyond belief to see the autograph hobby disappear completely over time as the prices rise higher and higher, with experiences being impersonal and players making so much money that signing autographs is no longer a necessary/desired alternate revenue or charity stream and/or an honor for them, but a nuisance and not worth their time. Add in the increased risk of forgeries and it kind of loses it's appeal anyway.

The argument that "players making so much money that signing autographs is no longer a necessary/desired alternate revenue or charity stream and/or an honor for them, but a nuisance and not worth their time" is a nonstarter. That argument has been made for well over a decade and yet quite a few of the big salary names hit the autograph circuit. Why? Unless, the player invested well, or has another revenue stream there is a need for cash inflow or the base is being eroded. One would think that there is an upper limit for what collectors are willing to pay but thus far collectors are still paying up. I said "no way" to the prices of Piazza, The big Unit, Chipper, and next week at CSA I will take a miss on Big Papi. $250 a throw for that scribble? No, thanks. I can live with not having a few current hall of fame players on a piece or two. To quote a collecting friend "I don't have Babe Ruth either."

I agree that forgeries are prevalent throughout the hobby which is why early on I decided to get every autograph in person. As the years have rolled by, I relaxed the rule a bit, dabbling in mail order from time to time or having a trusted fellow collector get a sig for me.

[packs]

There is no way athletes only sign for the money. Bob Feller never needed the money and no one will ever convince me that's the only reason he did so many shows. If every one of his signings were free I have no doubt he'd have done just as many.

Even today Rickey Henderson, who made 44 million over his semi-recent career, is at almost every show there is. He doesn't need the money. I think he's driven by his want and/or need to continue to be idolized and remembered. And I think that want is what drives many players to the circuit where they interact with so many fans.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by packs

There is no way athletes only sign for the money. Bob Feller never needed the money and no one will ever convince me that's the only reason he did so many shows. If every one of his signings were free I have no doubt he'd have done just as many.

Even today Rickey Henderson, who made 44 million over his semi-recent career, is at almost every show there is. He doesn't need the money. I think he's driven by his want and/or need to continue to be idolized and remembered. And I think that want is what drives many players to the circuit where they interact with so many fans.

My experience with Feller was that he simply loved baseball and talking about baseball with people. Why else would he sit in the stands talking pitching with a kid in Jr High?

[packs]

That's what I'm saying. The characterization of the aging ball player who didn't make enough in his career and being resigned to the show circuit to pay for his dinner is not one I think exists for the vast majority of ex-players.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by steve b

my experience with feller was that he simply loved baseball and talking about baseball with people. Why else would he sit in the stands talking pitching with a kid in jr high?

+100

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by steve B

My experience with Feller was that he simply loved baseball and talking about baseball with people. Why else would he sit in the stands talking pitching with a kid in Jr High?

Bob Feller was accompanied around the country (not sure for how many years) by a man we nicknamed The Cowboy because of the hat he wore. Supposedly he was Feller's agent. And he was a big seller of forged autographs, walking around at shows peddling bad Maris ss baseballs and other items. At a National Convention, he was eyeing the book of unsigned wire photos on my table. I could see what he was thinking.

[Td8237]

I have seen Mr. Robinson in action. He will probably argue that anything that is handed to him is a premium item. I know someone that runs a card show that said he will never have him back. Can buy his autograph online for very little money. I will give my money to guys like Mr Simon, or to the players I feel that will at least will act like they want to be around the average fan.