Whiy is an autograph on a card worth 10X

[joejo20]

I really like the way a well placed bold signature on a card looks and would rather have a card signed than just about anything else. Not sure that makes it worth 10 times more though. Joe


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[mrmopar]

egri hit it on the head as far as i am concerned, but also consider the volume of cards available unsigned vs the limited quantity available signed, with some cards being much more scarce (like the Agganis example).

Mantle signed a lot of stuff, but how many folks had him sign various vintage cards. Even fewer probably risked the mighty 52 Topps. Makes that card extremely expensive either way, but extremely rare signed.

I have always looked at it this way, if I am going to get a card signed, it's not going to be a reprint or a Pacific/Swell legends card, it is going to be the players best card I could afford.

[sreader3]

I collect autographed cards. I don’t collect autographs that are not on cards. The price I will pay for an autographed card is not tightly correlated to the difficulty of the player’s autograph. There are some autographed cards that are hard to find, even if the player’s autograph is not hard to find in general. I will use ‘72 Topps Duane Josephson as an example. Not a hard autograph to find, but a hard autograph to find on a ‘72 Topps. There are countless other examples.

[egri]

Every once in a while, someone will resurrect the Toughest Signed Cards Possible thread, and there’s plenty of guys in there who aren’t difficult to find signatures of, but are very difficult on specific cards, or even cards in general.

[sreader3]

Originally Posted by egri

Every once in a while, someone will resurrect the Toughest Signed Cards Possible thread, and there’s plenty of guys in there who aren’t difficult to find signatures of, but are very difficult on specific cards, or even cards in general.

Agreed Scott. I echo your sentiment and your original post was more comprehensive than mine. I collect 72 Topps and signed examples of certain Series 5 and 6 guys are damn near impossible.

[packs]

The medium is always important. It's the difference between a store bought baseball and a game used one. Cards have a special place in the collector's heart. It's where we all start our habit. I prefer signed cards over everything else.

[packs]

double post

[egri]

Originally Posted by sreader3

Agreed Scott. I echo your sentiment and your original post was more comprehensive than mine. I collect 72 Topps and signed examples of certain Series 5 and 6 guys are damn near impossible.

Is a 1972 Topps Gil Hodges possible? I know there are a handful of 1971s out there, but I don’t remember seeing a 1972 off the top of my head.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by egri

Is a 1972 Topps Gil Hodges possible? I know there are a handful of 1971s out there, but I don’t remember seeing a 1972 off the top of my head.

Gil died April 2nd and his 1972 card was in the 4th series, seem improbable.

[Santo10Fan]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

Mantle signed a lot of stuff, but how many folks had him sign various vintage cards. Even fewer probably risked the mighty 52 Topps. Makes that card extremely expensive either way, but extremely rare signed.

I have always looked at it this way, if I am going to get a card signed, it's not going to be a reprint or a Pacific/Swell legends card, it is going to be the players best card I could afford.

This is an interesting point bc I remember as a child in the 1980's I was specifically told by my dealer uncle that autographs on rookie cards would count against overall condition. I probably should have sought more detail, but he gave me the impression that Mantle signing a 52 Topps would devalue it the same as if I had scribbled on it.

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Santo10Fan

This is an interesting point bc I remember as a child in the 1980's I was specifically told by my dealer uncle that autographs on rookie cards would count against overall condition. I probably should have sought more detail, but he gave me the impression that Mantle signing a 52 Topps would devalue it the same as if I had scribbled on it.

Yes, an autograph on a vintage card was nothing more than an 'MK' qualifier now.

I remember back in 1986 I went to see Willie Mays at an outdoor show. Free autographs and there was no one in the line to see him. I had taken a book, SI, and a post-career insert card. Ended up also getting a dollar bill signed because he was just sitting there with no one in line. The thought of having him deface one of my playing years cards didn't even cross my mind. Dammit.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

I remember back in 1986 I went to see Willie Mays at an outdoor show. Free autographs and there was no one in the line to see him. I had taken a book, SI, and a post-career insert card. Ended up also getting a dollar bill signed because he was just sitting there with no one in line. The thought of having him deface one of my playing years cards didn't even cross my mind. Dammit.

Reminds me of a story I've told here before:

The mom of one of my HS track teammates was a professional photographer, and in the 1980s she was hired to cover a show with Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. She spent the whole day at arms length from the two of them, making conversation, and at the end of the day they offered to sign as much stuff for her as she would like, for free. She said no, she didn't collect autographs.