Autograph sub-forum?

[springpin]

I collect baseball memorabilia for the fun, if not joy, it brings me. There appears to be no fun, and certainly no joy at all, with the autograph hobbyists. I am of the opinion they have been exploited by fraudulent items in the past, and now they are "on a mission" to call everyone's attention to the perils of autographs in the market. They have gone from sincere hobbyists to zealous vigilantes, with the subplot of who deserves to be their leader. I have been burned in the past with some purchases I elected to make, as I believe we all have, but those episodes have not bitterly corroded my outlook toward the hobby. If these folks need a carthartic release, let them have their own forum. It can also serve as their support group. Other areas of collecting don't seem to need one.

[perezfan]

I collect general memorabilia as well as autographed pieces... and I agree the proposed split has now become a necessity. I would like to see the Memorabilia Forum return to the healty/positive place that it was as recently as a year or two ago.

Thanks Leon, for soliciting our input

[drc]

I have nothing against a split.

However, in defense of the autograph posters, I don't know that it's so much that there are so many autograph threads as there are so few memorabilia threads. The lopsidedness is as much due to the latter as the former.

But, as autographs seems to be such a popular topic, they may deserve their own category anyway.

I also add that I find many of the autograph threads to be interesting. I read them. I'm not bashing the autograph folks. The autographs threads have added a new and interesting dimension to Net54.

Leon might wish to ask someone like Richard Simon to be the Net54 advisor on autograph/autograph forum topics, so Leon can have someone to go to when autograph/forum issues and questions arise. Richard's a professional, he might like to be able to put on his resume that he's an advisor to Net54 which is a well known site.

P.s. Leon, the cord to my digital camera a few days ago, but I'll get the pic to you today.

[David Atkatz]

I, too, would like to see a split. That way, we autograph collectors will no longer have to see our hobby demeaned with comments such as "That's why I would never collect autographs." (i.e., "I'm way too smart for that.")

There are some among us who, perhaps, feel a bit closer to the game when actually holding a baseball that Babe Ruth, or Ty Cobb, or... actually held. For us, collecting tchotchkes that have never been closer to a ballplayer or stadium than, say, my toaster, doesn't quite cut it.

[drc]

For the record, I'm not close to an expert but I've collected autographs since I was a kid (TTM). I like autographs and think it's a interesting area.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by drc

Leon might wish to ask someone like Richard Simon to be the Net54 advisor on autograph/autograph forum topics, so Leon can have someone to go to when autograph/forum issues and questions arise.

Kind of a conflict of interest (since Richard is involved in many an argument here himself), wouldn't you say?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Kind of a conflict of interest (since Richard is involved in many an argument here himself), wouldn't you say?

Dan Bre.tta is the moderator for most of the memorabilia stuff. Unless he doesn't want to oversee it then he will also check out the Autograph stuff. Then if there is a judgment call I will be happy to help. That being said, he and I are also collectors first and foremost so we can get into little tiffs ourselves . Such is the life of the board and being avid collectors. Thanks for all the feedback. As soon as I figure out how to make a sub forum in the memorabilia section, it will be done. I am sure it will be today at some point.

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by Leon

Dan Bre.tta is the moderator for most of the memorabilia stuff. Unless he doesn't want to oversee it then he will also check out the Autograph stuff. Then if there is a judgment call I will be happy to help. That being said, he and I are also collectors first and foremost so we can get into little tiffs ourselves . Such is the life of the board and being avid collectors. Thanks for all the feedback. As soon as I figure out how to make a sub forum in the memorabilia section, it will be done. I am sure it will be today at some point.

Thanks Leon, hoping this works out for the best and has a positive impact on all involved.

[Leon]

As I try making this you guys will see some weird structure. Just hang in there a few minutes and we should be all set with the new sub forum. I want to have the autographs section directly under the main memorabilia one....just trying to figure it out.

[mjkm90]

Originally Posted by perezfan

I collect general memorabilia as well as autographed pieces... and I agree the proposed split has now become a necessity. I would like to see the Memorabilia Forum return to the healty/positive place that it was as recently as a year or two ago.

Thanks Leon, for soliciting our input

+1

I used to visit this forum 8-10 times a day, but am lucky to look every other day due the quantity of autograph posts. I have zero issue with someone posting a vintage or rare auto they add on the monthly pickups thread, but auto discussion threads have taken over.

[mjkm90]

Originally Posted by springpin

I collect baseball memorabilia for the fun, if not joy, it brings me. There appears to be no fun, and certainly no joy at all, with the autograph hobbyists. I am of the opinion they have been exploited by fraudulent items in the past, and now they are "on a mission" to call everyone's attention to the perils of autographs in the market. They have gone from sincere hobbyists to zealous vigilantes, with the subplot of who deserves to be their leader. I have been burned in the past with some purchases I elected to make, as I believe we all have, but those episodes have not bitterly corroded my outlook toward the hobby. If these folks need a carthartic release, let them have their own forum. It can also serve as their support group. Other areas of collecting don't seem to need one.

Well said Paul