Collecting Autographs in the good old days

[theshleps]

I received all those checks too, signed cards by Jackie Robinson etc. Wish I hadn't sold them all for college spending money in 1969. Sold to a collector/dealer named Max in NYC. Would love to buy them back

[HRBAKER]

I started in the mid-60s by writing to the Cardinals only. By the end of a few summers I had quite a stack of those team issued B&W PCs signed by many of them. Most of the players then signed on the back.

[cdn_collector]

This isn't nearly the same, but back in 1992 [I was 12], myself and some friends mailed a letter to Kelly Gruber asking him to autograph 5 cards for us [one for each of us; 2 for the guy for whom Gruber was his favourite player]. We mailed them to the Toronto Blue Jays corporate office, and shortly after we did he was traded to California.

A few months went by and they never came back, so we started to give up hope. In August of '93, my family moved so I was sure that was the end of that experiment.

The one day in early 1994, a letter shows up at the new house addressed to me [old address, but mail forwarding hadn't quite run out yet] from Kelly Gruber's home address. In it? All five cards, completely unharmed and autographed.

I realize that is apples to oranges, comparing with the likes of Cobb, Robinson, Aaron, Snider, etc., but I was always impressed by the fact that after all that time -- and no longer even in the majors -- Gruber took the time to respond.


Regards,

Richard.

[EARLSWORLD]

I remember my first experience with TTMs in 1977. I was a Sophomore in high school then. I met a classmate who collected as I did. However, he showed me many of the cards he had that were autographed. I was so amazed when he told me how easy it was to get autographs through the mail. From that moment on, I was hooked! Back then, I sent all my requests to the organization the player was with. I remember getting back my first returns. What an exciting time it was! I can still remember the feeling of opening each return from Garvey, Yaz, Brooks Robby and many other now HOFs! It seemed like just about everyone signed back then...not for cash either!

[packs]

10 or 15 years ago my dad bought me and my brother a book of addresses and we sent out cards to every living HOFer. Most wrote back and were happy to sign my card for me. But others were real grimey about it and returned my letter and card in my SASE without a signature and with a list of the prices they charged for various autographs, even though I had sent them a pretty worthless card to sign, which they could have just personalized if they really felt like I was out to gain anything but a signature from someone I respected. Always rubbed me the wrong way. When you're at a show that's one thing, people know well in advance you'll be charging. But through the mail? I wrote each of them back advising them to get a job if they needed my ten dollars that badly.

[vintagechris]

Originally Posted by packs

10 or 15 years ago my dad bought me and my brother a book of addresses and we sent out cards to every living HOFer. Most wrote back and were happy to sign my card for me. But others were real grimey about it and returned my letter and card in my SASE without a signature and with a list of the prices they charged for various autographs, even though I had sent them a pretty worthless card to sign, which they could have just personalized if they really felt like I was out to gain anything but a signature from someone I respected. Always rubbed me the wrong way. When you're at a show that's one thing, people know well in advance you'll be charging. But through the mail? I wrote each of them back advising them to get a job if they needed my ten dollars that badly.

IMO, you writing back to them and chastising them was pretty disrespectful. It is their choice to sign for free or charge if they like. The thing is too, had you paid what they were asking back then, most would be worth quite a bit more today.

[vintagechris]

In 1983 I saw an ad in SCD for Jack Smallings address list. I bought it thinking I would try a few players and see if it worked.

I sent for Mickey Mantle, Pete Rose, and Ted Williams. After a couple of months of waiting, I gave up. Then about 6 months after I mailed them, my Dad brings me some mail for me. Ted Williams had signed my card! Wow! I was one excited 14 year old.

I then spent a couple of summers writing to HOF'ers and got players like Mays, Aaron, Joe D. , HUbbell, Roush just about all the living HOF'ers. Never did get Mantle or Rose back.

As far as Mays, I probably sent to him 10 times back then and he always signed. I know his reputation but he was always nice to this 14 year old kid.

[milkit1]

I did a lot of ttm in the late 80's. one of my fave things that I still have is Donald Honigs Baseball in the 30's book that I got signed 74 signatures in, almost all through the mail. The book got so beat up from me mailing it that my dad had to reinforce the spine but its super cool still. Sure miss those days.

a cover.jpg

a sewell.jpg

a dimmagio2.jpg

a danning.jpg

a 1.jpg

[milkit1]

some more of my fave through the mail items:
I collected reprints pages from the 1933 whos who in baseball book and got about 50 of them signed through the mail.
Also got this 1930 and 31 Philadelphia ASthletics team photo signed by Dib Williams and Roger cramer. Dib williams wrote on the back :"I think roger cramer and I are the only players still alive from this team". I got Williams first. I sent to Cramer and 2 weeks later found out he died. A few days later this came in the mail. It must of been about the last thing he ever signed.

33 whos who pages 001.jpg

1930-31 ATHLETICS.jpg

[Jerry G]

I also had some great luck starting in the middle '60's with autographs through the mail. I sent out dozens of large and small magazine pictures and Jay's 5x7's. they all came back signed except one. I received Greenberg, Grove, Sisler, Joe D., Casey, Koufax, Foxx and Dizzy among others. The only one that didn't respond? Willie Mays. I'll get over it. Maybe.

So, I was long on luck, but short on brains. I did not realize that you could actually go to Woolworths and buy different sized envelopes! I just used whatever Mom and Dad had in the house. Consequently, I have a few folds.

[HRBAKER]

Jerry,
Those are beauties. The folds give them character. Good to hear that Mays was his usual coopertaive self even 50 years ago.

[Jerry G]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Jerry,
Those are beauties. The folds give them character. Good to hear that Mays was his usual coopertaive self even 50 years ago.

Jeff,

Cards with character remind me of the blind date with "a great personality."

I was late to the party for the Cardinals team issued postcards, but I sure miss them since they stopped making them. They were awesome.

[Luke]

I did the same thing as a kid (in the 1990's). Some of my favorites are Kiner, Slaughter, Feller, Doerr, Mathews, Joe Morgan, and a bunch of the current ballplayers. Never was disciplined enough to keep track of them all though.

Luke

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Jerry G

I also had some great luck starting in the middle '60's with autographs through the mail.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but those Mantle and Maris signatures are rubber stamps. I have the identical ones, obtained the same way.

[mr2686]

In 20 or 30 years THESE will be the good old days

[Jerry G]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but those Mantle and Maris signatures are rubber stamps. I have the identical ones, obtained the same way.

You're just trying to make me feel better about folding them, aren't you?
I appreciate the info. Thanks.

[milkit1]

George Harrison. Got him back once. Was never successful again.