Autograph Collectors - Your Thoughts On Autograph Index Cards

[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.