Autographs - Cancelled Checks

[thekingofclout]

however, most checks from top-tier HOF players will cost multiples compared with a slabbed GPC, index card, or AP.

I am also fond of the salutations: "Best Wishes", "Good luck", "My Personal Regards", or "Sincerely" rather then - pay to the order of: "Joe's Plumbing", "Southern Power Co", or "Sam's Automotive".

But I do have this Twice signed PSA/DNA 9 in my collection...

TWICEsignedRUTHcheck.jpgTWICEsignedRUTHcheckVERSO.jpg

[sports-rings]

I will be collecting some more psa/dna slabbed checks. I need to find a high quality painting copy and then will keep this format style so all my displays look the same:

[Heritage Sports]

Check out (no pun intended) this one we sold a few years back at Heritage Auctions. It's a Rogers Hornsby payroll check endorsed on the verso by the Hall of Famer when he was managing the minor league Baltimore Orioles. There was a big fire at the ballpark on the Fourth of July, 1944 and most of the archives stored there were destroyed. This check barely made it--notice the charred edges!

Link: http://sports.ha.com/common/view_ite...o=19073&src=pr

[jbsports33]

Signed checks, contracts and other similar items can be a great way to start your autograph collection, so you can get to know the player signatures and they are not as expensive as baseballs, gloves or bats. They are more valuable in most cases then the index cards or other items as stated above. I really think they will hold their value well compared to photos or other signed paper items. Even if you do not care for signed checks they seem to be a good investment and you can always trade or sell them for items you maybe more interested in buying instead.

Jimmy

[Exhibitman]

I have 1; Lefty O'Doul from his restaurant. I would only consider something like a check for one of the big prewar stars like Ruth--just too much bad paper out there otherwise.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Ruth checks aren't exactly foolproof, either. Some of his blank checks found their way into the hands of a Philly-area forger (Hi FM!). I would recommend purchasing a Ruth check from a trusted veteran dealer or from an auction house with auction LOA from PSA.

[autograf]

Like Jay, I had a collection of about 200 different checks from HOFers, stars, etc. A great way to collect autographs. Still undervalued somewhat too. Checks of the big guys are strong now and have gone way up over the last 5-8 years. I sold my collection of piecemeal and then in lots via Robert Edward a few years back but still have a few and love the checks!

[danc]

Checks are a great way to collect authentic signatures and especially if made up with a nice frame and photo. Part of the luster that is lost for me is the fact that have handled so many, by the same group, that all I can picture are boxes and boxes of these things and the market simply flooded.

I.E what Bob Gibson did to the market recently, Curt Flood is doing now, Ralph Kiner and especially NFL commisioner Bert Bell who has even assisted in adding some Bill Hewitt signatures into the marketplace.

And too add to the above, let's also not forget about high quality photocopies of Ruth checks, framed and matted and sold as authentic. That's another scam, but no fault to the checks themselves, but the scammers who exist in damned groves.

DanC

[3and2]

Here is a check being sold on eBay as a REPRINT. however, if someone had ill intentions they could put it in a nice frame and sell it as the real deal.

[danc]

Foolproof, yes, but of the thousands and thousands of subjects that come signed in check form, maybe a handful are duplicated (photocopied) and used by at least one seller, (maybe two) to dupe the public. You won't see it with Carl Erskine.

I remember once seeing a George Harrison check on eBay and with like four minutes left, it was only at $91. This is a $1,000 item, so what gives? The seller did what some annoying seller's do, fill the description with a life's story of the individual and there it was, in fine print, all the way at the bottom...this is a high quality reproduction of an original check in the tiniest of fonts.

With anything you buy in this industry that is driven with a large majority of fraud, caveat emptor.

As far as 3x5 v. checks, I think it all depends on the figure and how many checks are issued. Some checks rarely show up (according to Spence's population report of checks that he produced some many years ago), I once had a Jim Bottomley in my possession with...off the top of my head...maybe 10 exist and it fetched $1,750 --circa-2003), as a 3x5 signature of Bottomley would bring far less, maybe a nice one would bring $300-350...maybe $400. You could always do a comparison with 3x5 v. checks in the SMR.

Anyone have that report and any chance for a copy? Have no idea what happened to mine.

Thanks,
DanC