Autograph Collectors - Your Thoughts On Autograph Index Cards

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

This has nothing to do with the main question. Other people can chime in on that one.

Mantle index cards are pretty darn uncommon. Authentic examples that do exist tend to date to the earliest parts of his career, circa 1956 and prior. After that, demands on Mick's time due to stardom were such that he wasn't much bothered with answering fan mail, which is where the bulk of index card requests would have been coming from. By the 1970's, someone was applying a rubber stamp facsimile to index card mail requests, usually in bright red ink. By the time that memorabilia became more industry than hobby, next to nobody would spend money to have Mantle sign a worthless index card when they could buy a beautiful 8X10 at the show for a couple of dollars.

Honestly, I've barely seen any true index cards signed by Mantle which dated post-1950's. Most anything 3X5 in size that dates to later on in Mick's life was trimmed from a larger item, like a book leaf, and is obviously on thinner paper stock. If you see any actual index cards which supposedly bear Mantle's most familiar, "card show industry" style autograph, you're looking at an almost 100% chance of it being a forgery. I've seen lots of those.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Honestly, I've barely seen any true index cards signed by Mantle which dated post-1950's. Most anything 3X5 in size that dates to later on in Mick's life was trimmed from a larger item, like a book leaf, and is obviously on thinner paper stock. If you see any actual index cards which supposedly bear Mantle's most familiar, "card show industry" style autograph, you're looking at an almost 100% chance of it being a forgery. I've seen lots of those.

Funny you should say that. Here's one from 1991.



In this case, the autograph is 100% authentic. I can say that without hesitation because I got it in person, at a press conference at Mickey Mantle's Restaurant in New York City in July 1991 where Mantle publicized an auction of his 1967 road jersey. I was there in my capacity as an employee of the auction house that was hosting the event, and I had the boss' permission to ask Mantle for an autograph.

I know what many of you must be thinking: why, as a knowledgable employee of a place that dealt in sports memorabilia, did I waste an opportunity to get a free Mickey Mantle autograph by having him sign a lowly 3x5 card instead of a photo or a baseball?

Well, I had been told that Mantle would only be signing auction catalogs at the event. For all I knew, he could have said "I'm only signing catalogs" and turned me away. But when I presented the card to Mantle he looked at the back, saw that it was just a plain 3x5, and signed and (at my request) dated it.

Fortunately, 3x5 cards have always been my medium of choice for autographs - I like autographs for their own sake - so I didn't feel like I was "settling" just for the sake of a free Mantle signature.

So apparentiy this is a very rare item, a 3x5 card with a "card show" Mantle autograph. And as the only Mickey Mantle autograph that I know to be authentic without question because I myself saw him sign it, it's also a personal 1-of-1.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I get a kick out of seeing authentic examples such as yours! They're definitely few and far between from that era. It's great that you had him date it, too. This isn't something he would tend to do without being asked.

[perezfan]

In case this helps with your decision... Even if the Index Card is rarer than a signed Topps or Bowman Mantle Card, the trading card will be a far better investment for you. The stigma of having an autograph on a card is no longer a concern. There's more demand for them now... much more so than an Index Card.

The other thing that's not yet been touched on is Mantle's signature itself. You mention being interested specifically in a 1953 card. If the one you have in mind features his early style signature (prior to his looping of the "M"s) it will carry a significant premium. His "card show style" signatures outnumber his early style signatures by at least 500 to 1. So it would be great to see images of both pieces.

[Topnotchsy]

My read on the hobby is that index cards are more popular among older collectors than younger collectors.

Signed vintage cards have definitely become a lot more popular, especially with vintage signatures.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by perezfan

His "card show style" signatures outnumber his early style signatures by at least 500 to 1.

How many "card show style" autographs would you, or anyone, estimate that he signed in his lifetime? Thousands, I'm sure. Tens of thousands? More?

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

How many "card show style" autographs would you, or anyone, estimate that he signed in his lifetime? Thousands, I'm sure. Tens of thousands? More?

Definitely thousands. Perhaps tens of thousands. I'm not sure there's a way to know the actual number, but perhaps someone else here can narrow it down a bit.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

There's no way of knowing, but think of it this way:

1980-95 = nearly 15 years, as Mick died in the summer of '95.

50 show/private signing/meet and greet appearances per year X 15 years = 750 appearances

500 autographs signed per appearance X 750 appearances = 375,000 autographs. Remember, in show settings, there was the number signed for the public and then the boatload signed behind the curtain for the promoters who brought him in.

No, Mick may not have done a signing every week, but remember that some of these appearances extended for more than one day over the course of an event. I'm considering each day as a separate "signing" when doing this very loose math.

I think these numbers are actually kind of light, as he certainly made a ton of appearances in the 70's as well. Half a million autographs is not out of the question. Completely mind boggling.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

Funny you should say that. Here's one from 1991.

This is outstanding! Love it.