Koufax’s prices are even higher from a year ago

[packs]

Or not. That's my point.

[Exhibitman]

Or maybe we who buy and sell these items obsessively stop judging what others do? How am I going to tell some kid not to sell a Wemby jersey that might net him a college tuition?

This all reflects who we are as a society and as a subculture of collectors. The idealized innocent experience of meeting a hero and getting a valueless autograph as a memento is a fantasy that hasn't really existed for decades (except maybe in children's cancer wards), ever since the card collecting and memorabilia boom began in earnest. We are to blame, of course, for creating, enjoying, profiting from, and evangelizing collecting. It's capitalism, baby: we cannot expect to create a huge market for these items and then tut-tut anyone else for figuring out how to cash in using methods we never even considered. I'm just sorry I didn't get the idea first.

But I digress...

I don't see the appeal, except financial, of getting a Koufax auto at those prices. Now, that said, I could see getting a rare or significant card signed, like this one:



Card is tough as hell; can't think there are too many signed ones.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Or maybe we who buy and sell these items obsessively stop judging what others do? How am I going to tell some kid not to sell a Wemby jersey that might net him a college tuition?

This all reflects who we are as a society and as a subculture of collectors. The idealized innocent experience of meeting a hero and getting a valueless autograph as a memento is a fantasy that hasn't really existed for decades (except maybe in children's cancer wards), ever since the card collecting and memorabilia boom began in earnest. We are to blame, of course, for creating, enjoying, profiting from, and evangelizing collecting. It's capitalism, baby: we cannot expect to create a huge market for these items and then tut-tut anyone else for figuring out how to cash in using methods we never even considered. I'm just sorry I didn't get the idea first.

I largely agree. I don't know if the Dad had a bigger plan, but it could definitely be that he's a fan who wanted the jersey experience for his kid, and then when it actually happened, he stopped and realized he could pay off his credit card debt, or school debt or mortgage or pay for his kids braces and summer campe etc or whatever.

The freedom to get valuable items like that and not be in a place where the responsible thing to do is sell the item is a blessing. (Of course, the Dad might have had the whole thing planned and my rose-colored glasses might be being overly favorable, but I'll lean in this direction faster than assuming the worst when there is another explanation.)

[scooter729]

I actually went through something similar a year or so ago, albeit on a smaller scale.

My then 7 year old daughter loves Squishmallow stuffed animals, which are a popular toy for kids right now. They even came out with trading cards for the Squishmallows, so naturally I had to buy her a box of them (which was $30 or so).

In that box of cards, she popped the rarest chase card, which could be traded in for a special Squishmallow, of which only 250 were made. She was so excited for her luck, and we redeemed our card.

Lo and behold, the special Squishmallow was selling for over $1,000. Had she kept it, it would've just gone on her bed, like any other stuffed animal. So we made a deal that she could pick out two new Squishmallows from the toy store (which sell for $25 or so each), and we would sell the special one, and put the money in a bank account for her. She was thrilled, and got a nice jump start on a bank account.

So, does it seem bad that I was selling a toy that my 7 year old daughter won? On the surface, maybe - but after hearing why, maybe you'll think differently....

[packs]

I feel like there is traditionally no shame in catching a milestone home run ball and keeping it to sell. For some reason, emotions tend to change if there is a more personal transfer of an object to a fan, but I don't see why the principles are different.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Or maybe we who buy and sell these items obsessively stop judging what others do?

Precisely. It's ultimately the fault of the starry-eyed fans with deep pockets and collectors who willingly pay the nosebleed prices for these artifacts. What's next? The athlete's soiled underwear - or worse?

Originally Posted by packs

I feel like there is traditionally no shame in catching a milestone home run ball and keeping it to sell.

Me I'd sell the thing immediately to some starry-eyed fan. And I wouldn't be a buyer even if I won the lottery. I'm a card collector; not a sports groupie.

[packs]

It has nothing to do with being a groupie. You aren't a groupie because you won the lottery. You're in the right place at the right time.

I also don't think you're a groupie because you're a fan of a player. I'm not really sure what it is you're implying about people. We are here because we collect. Is it possible to be a fan of something and not be a groupie?

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by scooter729

In that box of cards, she popped the rarest chase card, which could be traded in for a special Squishmallow, of which only 250 were made. She was so excited for her luck, and we redeemed our card.

Lo and behold, the special Squishmallow was selling for over $1,000. Had she kept it, it would've just gone on her bed, like any other stuffed animal. So we made a deal that she could pick out two new Squishmallows from the toy store (which sell for $25 or so each), and we would sell the special one, and put the money in a bank account for her. She was thrilled, and got a nice jump start on a bank account.

So, does it seem bad that I was selling a toy that my 7 year old daughter won? On the surface, maybe - but after hearing why, maybe you'll think differently....

What you did makes all the sense in the world to me. Your daughter would have just mauled a collector's item. So now she's got two plush toys instead of one.

[jethrod3]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

The idealized innocent experience of meeting a hero and getting a valueless autograph as a memento is a fantasy that hasn't really existed for decades (except maybe in children's cancer wards), ever since the card collecting and memorabilia boom began in earnest.

Well said in your previous posts. With the exception of certain circumstances I agree with pretty much everything you said.

Nearly up until their deaths, you had folks like Feller and Erskine signing for free or for a fairly small amount at shows that was usually donated completely to charity. And though not the same as getting a signature in person, you could pick up a signed HOF card and many other items from the Feller Museum just a few years before his death essentially for the price of the items themselves. Carl certainly signed through the mail for free. And there probably are many old ballplayers that still do. At least one HOF basketball player has signed and I believe still signs for free when you send an item and SASE to their former teams. Sending a nice letter and getting an actual response to that letter is a nice experience that I'd take if I could not meet a player. Again, I agree with pretty much what you've expressed, but I guess my point is that you can still meet your heroes and get valueless (or maybe near valueless---because hey, just about any auto may have some value to others) autographs---it just may be a little harder or different to come by them!

[rlevy]

I had this 1963 World Series Game 4 (Dodgers sweep the Yankees) Line-up card signed by Sandy during one of these signings last year. Autograph looks great to me. Thankfully I had 3 other line-up cards from significant Koufax games signed a number of years ago when prices were cheaper, and was glad to add this one to my collection. Did the signing increase the value of the item by the amount I paid for the autograph? Don't know, and don't care.

Rick

dodgers signed by Koufax reduced by 50 and 50.jpg

[Hankphenom]

By coincidence, I was just watching a Pawn Stars episode from a few months ago where a guy had several nicely framed signed Koufax photo displays. After Grad OK'd them, Rick told the guy that Koufax autos were weak, and either offered him a couple hundred or maybe didn't even make an offer, I can't remember which, but he clearly didn't want them, and the guy took them home.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

By coincidence, I was just watching a Pawn Stars episode from a few months ago where a guy had several nicely framed signed Koufax photo displays. After Grad OK'd them, Rick told the guy that Koufax autos were weak, and either offered him a couple hundred or maybe didn't even make an offer, I can't remember which, but he clearly didn't want them, and the guy took them home.

Pawn Stars is an absolute farce. A friend of mine was on the show.
Absolutely scripted and not to be believed, FWIW.

[Mark17]

I think athletes probably suspect every autograph or piece of memorabilia they give away has value and will eventually be sold by someone at some point.

There's the story of a kid who used to hang around outside the Metrodome, along with other fans, waiting for Kirby Puckett to come in/out of the stadium so as to get his autograph. This kid showed up with a handful of Puckett cards every day the Twins were in town. Kirby soon recognized him as a frequent flier, and finally one day, Kirby said to him: "I've given you enough autographs to buy a house."

The kid replied, "Now I need a pool."

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Pawn Stars is an absolute farce. A friend of mine was on the show. Absolutely scripted and not to be believed, FWIW.

Not surprised. But I still find it hard not to watch!