Whiy is an autograph on a card worth 10X

[Schlesinj]

I will add if not already mentioned in the scarcity point that from a collector standpoint back in the day they did not sign rookie cards or people did not want to ruin a card with a signature. That logic made a supply issue and now sediment has changed.

Frankly, I think that the modern world has helped flip this adjustment. With all inserts with signatures now the most valuable cards (due to forced scarcity) that it opened up the demand for vintage card autographs.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

I will add if not already mentioned in the scarcity point that from a collector standpoint back in the day they did not sign rookie cards or people did not want to ruin a card with a signature. That logic made a supply issue and now sediment has changed.

I’m sure some people had rookie cards back in the day (hence the vintage signed rookie cards) and I believe the general consensus was not to ruin the cards (that was my thought at least) by getting them signed. There were so many other mediums that were more popular with collectors, i.e. balls, photos, index cards, bats, etc.

Since the logic changed, for the most part (including myself), now if you want a vintage signed card the supply is limited.

I really am a single player collector (Brooks Robinson) and about three years ago I started a side project to acquire all of his regular issue cards signed; this was due to someone showing their collection and their signed cards looked really cool. I figured I had a few in my collection from in the past, but only found one and it was rough. Anyway, if you know Brooks he signs “everything”, but finding nice vintage examples are tough. Also, as mentioned in the thread, some are light, different locations on the card, up, down, blue, black, sharpie, etc. (not all cards are the same w/an auto).

At least in my experience the signed cards are not 10x higher, but I have very narrow focus.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

I’m sure some people had rookie cards back in the day (hence the vintage signed rookie cards) and I believe the general consensus was not to ruin the cards (that was my thought at least) by getting them signed. There were so many other mediums that were more popular with collectors, i.e. balls, photos, index cards, bats, etc.

When I was first getting into the hobby around 2006, the first vintage card I bought was a 1949 Bowman Bobby Doerr. As I was paying for it, I was telling the LCS owner I planned to send it in to him to sign, and before I could finish the sentence he was shaking his head no. I eventually came around.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by egri

When I was first getting into the hobby around 2006, the first vintage card I bought was a 1949 Bowman Bobby Doerr. As I was paying for it, I was telling the LCS owner I planned to send it in to him to sign, and before I could finish the sentence he was shaking his head no. I eventually came around.

Scott,

A number of years ago I was just like the dealer; just say no to putting ink (or sharpie) on cards. Now I’m looking for better examples than what I currently have (really need to upgrade a few as well). On my spreadsheet for Brooks’ regular issue cards I have blue ballpoint, black ballpoint, blue sharpie and black sharpie (I really haven’t started the sharpie yet) to track what I have.

I am a tad weird though I’m not crazy about autographs on pictures since I feel it takes away from the shot itself. I have a few signed, but most of them of the common variety.