National Autograph Tickets: Regular vs. Inscriptions

[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.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by 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.

Agreed, but the players are getting paid. I question how many would sign at a show for free. Sure, some players appear to feed their ego or to see and feel the adulation of the fans again, but they all get PAID. From the grapevine JoeD commanded $100K per show. Mantle made crazy money.

[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.

[Klrdds]

For years I'd heard of the mysterious and enigmatic " The Cowboy " but I never really saw or interacted with or met him in all the years I attended shows and participated in private signings but the one thing I always heard during all those years was never to touch or buy anything associated with " The Cowboy ".
Thanks Richard for bringing up another name for our hobby's past ...the long past ! There are probably more names out there too

[Tim Zwick]

If I recall he was known as Cowboy George Dickstein.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Klrdds

For years I'd heard of the mysterious and enigmatic " The Cowboy " but I never really saw or interacted with or met him in all the years I attended shows and participated in private signings but the one thing I always heard during all those years was never to touch or buy anything associated with " The Cowboy ".
Thanks Richard for bringing up another name for our hobby's past ...the long past ! There are probably more names out there too

You are welcome. The list of hobby miscreants is long and discouraging.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

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.

That must have been later. The game I went to was sometime between 74 and 76. If I find the programs they might tell me which year.

[stewbacca]

The story I heard with Feller was that he would pay for his vacation by hitting card shows and minor league parks en route. I paid $5 to get his autograph at the LeBaron hotel in San Jose in 1991 and at a San Jose Giants game in 1996(free).


The only way I can get particular autographs in the Topps 40 years of baseball book was to go to autograph shows. That is how I got most of my HOFers. Most of those autographs shows happened pre 1996. I paid $175 to meet and get a signature of Joe DiMaggio in 1995. It was right after his Upper Deck contract ended and he hit a few show. That was crazy money to a young married guy trying to enjoy the autograph part of the hobby. In the early 90's I was able to get Mantle ($35), Aaron ($25), Mays ($22), McCovey ($17), Fr Robinson ($20), Brooks ($10) and Berra ($20). I would hate to think of what they would cost now. Aaron is $300 for a private signing.


I terms of todays stars signing, there really is no reason for them to do it as they are set financially for life. I also don't want to pay nearly $200 for the Big Unit, Pedro Martinez and some of the others I see coming to Northern California. Tom Orr does the best private signings out of the St. Louis area, but an I going to send my 10 pound book to every private signing. I don't know how well that would work.


Anyways, thanks for reading my rambling. Paul