HOF Autograph Collection Question?

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

1. Pack pulled certified autos (such as Topps and legendary cuts autos)
2. Perez Steele Postcards
3. PSA slabbed Topps cards
4. Signed 8x10 photos

Of the four you mentioned, I could see collecting 1 or 3. I would not collect 2 (do not think the art is good -- reminds me too much of 80s Donruss puzzle pieces) or 4 (too big, too much, almost always are going to be in sharpie).

Putting aside signed pre-war cards, my order for autographed media is:

1. GPC (where the post office is the original third-party authenticator)
2. 3x5
3. Checks (where the bank is the original third-party authenticator)
4. Mixed paper media (envelopes, cuts)
5. ALS

And I always prefer fountain pen to ballpoint, and ballpoint to sharpie.

[theshleps]

What is your goal The ones you listed leave out the vintage guys. Are you looking just for collecting pleasure? then whichever you like best. if for resale in the future that is a different way of looking. If i were you with what it seems like your interest is- I'd go gold hof plaques over perez and more players are included

[homerunhitter]

Originally Posted by theshleps

What is your goal The ones you listed leave out the vintage guys. Are you looking just for collecting pleasure? then whichever you like best. if for resale in the future that is a different way of looking. If i were you with what it seems like your interest is- I'd go gold hof plaques over perez and more players are included

Hey Michael!
Im looking for a little bit of everything with this collection. Im looking to collect something that will hold value and that is more likely to be an authentic autograph.

I like the idea of 8x10s because I love photography and there are some pretty cool photos out there but resale value on 8x10s are next to nothing. Plus there are some signed 8x10s I would never get like Babe Ruth , Roberto Clemente or Ty Cobb.

I love certified pack pulled autos because they are as close to an authentic autograph that you can get. And there’s a possibility one day to get a Roberto Clemente, Ty Cobb or Babe Ruth auto.(legendary cuts)

I love PSA slabbed cards, because of the limitless variety of cards to choose from but with TPAs there’s always that 50/50 chance the autograph isn’t authentic even if it’s slabbed.

And finally with Perez Steeles. I just think a signed Perez Steele looks do darn awesome (in my opinion)

So, pros and cons for all mediums.

[packs]

I think the most exciting medium is a career contemporary card with an ink and not sharpie signature.

The rest depends on taste.

[bigfanNY]

Signed checks offer more chance of authenticity. But wives secretary's have been known to sign checks so some footwork needs to go into them as well. But it sounds like you enjoy Perez Steeles. If that's the case putting together most of the possible HOF signatures in that format makes sense. Look at auctions for small lots or even bigger lots. Often some deals can be found. Of course some players like Satchel Paige Red Ruffing Waner etc who passed soon after their Perez Steele was produced can be very expensive. I would seek yellow HOF Plaques for them or other mediums to reduce costs. Or you could consider multi signed items like HOF program covers etc. I think they represent great value. Often selling for pennies on the dollar vs the value of all the auto's individually. And Given many of the multisigned items originate from a single event better chance they are real ( or at least most of them).

Good Luck enjoy the journey.

J

[Klrdds]

You will need to define your goals based upon the number of HOFer autographs you want to acquire and most importantly the amount of money you are willing to spend in order to acquire the autos you want . Know going into this as many of us have found out that you will never get a full set of HOF er autographs no matter how long you collect or how much money you have to spend as I found out .
I found checks , letters , contracts and legal documents to be the best guarantor of authenticity and the best investment and most pleasing and GPCs and 8x10s are nice also . Also my own knowledge was the best guarantee of authenticity as well as a good dealer network of which Jim Stinson is the last one standing IMO.
I never got into the auto cards or Perez Steele cards craze and I’m not a fan of manufactured memorabilia.
Good luck

[Duluth Eskimo]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Of the four you mentioned, I could see collecting 1 or 3. I would not collect 2 (do not think the art is good -- reminds me too much of 80s Donruss puzzle pieces) or 4 (too big, too much, almost always are going to be in sharpie).

Putting aside signed pre-war cards, my order for autographed media is:

1. GPC (where the post office is the original third-party authenticator)
2. 3x5
3. Checks (where the bank is the original third-party authenticator)
4. Mixed paper media (envelopes, cuts)
5. ALS

And I always prefer fountain pen to ballpoint, and ballpoint to sharpie.

This

[Bigdaddy]

It sounds to me that you are hearing two voices here -

1. The vintage collector who likes fountain pens, Gov't post cards, checks, etc. For a lot of the older HOFers, these are great suggestions. I wouldn't suggest that for a Randy Johnson or Greg Maddux auto though.

2. For more recent players, I think career contemporary cards are the way to go. I like the PS postcards, but as someone mentioned, they don't cover all the players as they've stopped production, and even then, some were not released until after (or close to) a player's death.

Personally, I'd stay away from 8x10 glossy photos, they just seem to have died off in value for several reasons. And I'd stay away from balls as they can be hard to predict how well the autos will hold up (toning, fading ink, etc).

So for newer players, say 1960's on up, I'd try to get them on a card. With older players, it's really up to you. One option with the older players is to either get someone to make a custom card with your auto cut or I've seen Perez Steele cards that have been certified with a cut auto.