Just wondering if anyone here collects Steiner or Upper Deck signed memorabilia?

[jacksons]

Jimmy -

I find it quite depressing at times, perusing steinersports.com, reflecting on those times as a kid when I paid nominal sums at card shows for autographs. Now, we have this:

Large Speaker from the original Yankee Stadium: $750

Wille Mays signed 8 x 10 Photo: $250

Johan Santana autographed baseball: $220 (!)

Mariano Rivera autographed baseball: $420 (!!)

AJ Burnett (on sale) autographed baseball: $200 (!!!)

[drc]

Steiner's direct prices have always been extremely high, but, as noted, you can get reasonable UDA and Steiner prices on the secondary market.

[Vintagedegu]

-

[Scott Garner]

I can honestly say that I don't own a single piece of either company's manufactured memoribilia in my collection and never will.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

I can honestly say that I don't own a single piece of either company's manufactured memoribilia in my collection and never will.

Like wise Scott. But we have to understand that there has to be a thousand guys that do collect Steiner/UDA for every one of us... Not that there's anything wrong with it!

So my next questions for the board are... Why do you think that is? Why are we in the collecting minority?

[Vintagedegu]

-

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

Like wise Scott. But we have to understand that there has to be a thousand guys that do collect Steiner/UDA for every one of us... Not that there's anything wrong with it!

So my next questions for the board are... Why do you think that is? Why are we in the collecting minority?

Jimmy,
I don't think that there is any doubt that many of the collectors out there are scared that they might buy a bogus autograph of a player that they want to collect, thus Steiner and UDA exist. IMHO, as collectors we have a responsibility to educate ourselves on what we aspire to collect, or bad things can happen ( AKA "let the buyer beware").

It's also my opinion that people that do pony up the huge dollars for these overpriced UDA and Steiner sigs will undoubtedly "own them forever" because they never will get their money back out when they go to resell them down the line.

As the two of us have discussed via e-mail, as collectors we don't truly own these baseball "treasures". We're merely caretakers until we pass them along to other collectors somewhere down the line. I always consider whether I believe I can get my money back out of a purchase at some point in the future. What I'm basically doing is establishing an exit strategy upfront FWIW.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Jimmy,
I don't think that there is any doubt that many of the collectors out there are scared that they might buy a bogus autograph of a player that they want to collect, thus Steiner and UDA exist. IMHO, as collectors we have a responsibility to educate ourselves on what we aspire to collect, or bad things can happen ( AKA "let the buyer beware").

It's also my opinion that people that do pony up the huge dollars for these overpriced UDA and Steiner sigs will undoubtedly "own them forever" because they never will get their money back out when they go to resell them down the line.

As the two of us have discussed via e-mail, as collectors we don't truly own these baseball "treasures". We're merely caretakers until we pass them along to other collectors somewhere down the line. I always consider whether I believe I can get my money back out of a purchase somewhere down the line. What I'm basically doing is establishing an exit strategy upfront FWIW.

Once again we're in agreement Scott. As usual, your comments are well thought out with keen insight. My best, Jimmy

[Bilko G]

I have purchased and i own many Steiner and UDA items. Items like autographed 8x10s, singed Baseballs, Hockey pucks, Footballs and Football helmets. The vast majority of these i have purchased on the secondary market and not directly from Steiner or UDA because as noted their prices are very high. To come to think of it out of all the Steiner and UDA items i own i have only purchased 3 or 4 of the items directly from Steiner.

Edit- After reading the rest of the thread, i thought i would mention (since it was asked) that i collect these items because i think they look great and i enjoy them as display pieces. I am a big sports fan and collect and enjoy not only the vintage side of the hobby but also the modern side of the hobby as well. Most of my Steiner/UDA items are displayed through out my house. I have many of the 8x10s and 16x20s hanging on my walls and then i also have a few display cases with autographed Baseballs, Hockey Pucks, Footballs and Football helmets. I also like the fact that i can buy authentic signed items with inscriptions shortly after an accomplishment takes place. For instance i am a big fan of Eli Manning and i collect him to some degree. Well literally about 2 weeks after he and the NY Giants won the Super Bowl a couple years back, i had an official NFL Superbowl ball (game model) signed and inscribed "Superbowl MVP" sitting on my mantel. I loved the fact that i could add an item like this to my collection so fast after the Superbowl took place.

[Fuddjcal]

I only have these 3 "made for tv movies" from upperdeck as well as a few balls. The fact that these are nothing more than manufactured crap, doesn't bother me a bit. It's my crap and I love'em!

[HRBAKER]

I make it a point to not do business with any company whose prices make Sky Magazine look like a bargain.

[Fuddjcal]

these were purchased second hand so, skymall prices do not apply. These are among the most recognizable, most sought after, easiest items to sell on e-bay... and they look great in an office. Paid short of 3 beans for the mantle, 2 beans for the SI Williams and 80.00 for the All Star game HR Williams. At least they're real and easily turned for cash At least you know they are real, so "paying for peace of mind" is worth something. Try to cheap out, sleep in the gutter. All these would have 50-60 watchers on e-bay. The Mantle would auction at 430-450, if you can ever find it. The Williams can sell for 250-300, and you won't see it at auction too often either, so I fail to see how these fall into the Skymall territory?

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by jacksons

Jimmy -

I find it quite depressing at times, perusing steinersports.com, reflecting on those times as a kid when I paid nominal sums at card shows for autographs. Now, we have this:

Large Speaker from the original Yankee Stadium: $750

Wille Mays signed 8 x 10 Photo: $250

Johan Santana autographed baseball: $220 (!)

Mariano Rivera autographed baseball: $420 (!!)

AJ Burnett (on sale) autographed baseball: $200 (!!!)

Mays seems like a bargain price, considering that at The National it would have cost you $300 to have an 8x10 autographed, and at least through Steiner you don't have to put up with Mays' attitiude.

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by jacksons

AJ Burnett (on sale) autographed baseball: $200 (!!!)

You mean someone will pay me $200 to take an AJ Burnett signed ball off their hands. Not enough!

[Sportsnutcards]

We sell quite a bit of Steiner and UDA stuff in our store, but most of it comes from collectors who purcahsed it direct, and get quite dissapointed when we explain to them the "real" value.