Anyone here collect autographs?

[SaucyJack]

A friend of mine and I actually got into an autograph vs photo argument last night. She said the photo was cooler because it's more personal and something you can show people and be like, Yeah, here I was with such-and-such.

I think autograph's are cooler specifically because they are less personal. By being less personal, they are more universal in appeal. They go from being something that is kind of cool for YOU but that no one else would want to own to being something that is collectible to other people.

For the record, I did get a photo with JDF though (with the obligatory first pose, of course):

Nice pic. I get what your saying but I'm only interested in the personal appeal. I don't concern myself with possible future resale or anything like that. I just like meeting the people who have entertained me over the years and having a souvenir to go with it. My personal favourite pic is with Hulk Hogan because the size difference is pretty hilarious.

 

[BobSappIsMyDad]

The way I got my Megadeth CD was that I attended Gigantour in 2004 and they had a thing going where if you bought the CD there for $20 then they would sign it for you. I had already bought the CD previously but I thought it was well worth it. You should get your stuff signed. You'd probably be glad you did in 10 years when you still have it.

Im going to a concert next week, maybe I will.

 

[Guestx]

Nice pic. I get what your saying but I'm only interested in the personal appeal. I don't concern myself with possible future resale or anything like that. I just like meeting the people who have entertained me over the years and having a souvenir to go with it. My personal favourite pic is with Hulk Hogan because the size difference is pretty hilarious.

You know, I've always wondered what celebrities really think about us when we ask for pics or autographs. Are they genuinely happy to do it and enjoying the attention or are they thinking, "What a fucking pathetic asshole"?

 

[Rhood]

This isn't the 80's or 90's anymore bro.
Most of this stuff is worthless in the collector's market.
But if this for your own personal collection, then more power to you!

 

[Guestx]

This isn't the 80's or 90's anymore bro.
Most of this stuff is worthless in the collector's market.

I'm not collecting it for the market, I'm collecting it for me.

EDIT: Just saw your edit. Yeah, this is just shit I like, shit I care about. For instance, one of the autographs I want the most is Taimak from The Last Dragon. I doubt it would be worth much, but I'd love to have it on my wall.

Still though, I think there are still a lot of things from previous eras that people still care greatly about today. Megadeth, for instance, still has a very large fan base. Then you have the action stars like Arnold and Sly and Van Damme . . . they all still have a lot of fans out there.

 

[D Train]

I like books signed by the authors, but famous people don't really intrigue me. Well, Kate Upton intrigues me for two very bouncy reasons. There are a few celebrities I wouldn't mind meeting, but I don't need them to write their name.
I heard a story that Ronald Regan wrote his grandson a personal letter in White House letterhead and the post script said, "Save this and sell it to pay for college."

 

[BRF]

I've got a bunch of shit that I've hoarded for years. Mostly sports memorabilia and such. I finished my basement last winter and built a nice big pub area so I was finally able to put a bunch of it to use and decorate with it.

 

[Guestx]

I like books signed by the authors, but famous people don't really intrigue me. Well, Kate Upton intrigues me for two very bouncy reasons. There are a few celebrities I wouldn't mind meeting, but I don't need them to write their name.

I'm a film student and really into movies and TV, so I get into anything that involves my favorite properties. I also would like a handful of music and MMA-related autographs.

On the MMA front, I'd be happy if I could just get Machida and BJ. Matt Serra would also be cool.

I heard a story that Ronald Regan wrote his grandson a personal letter in White House letterhead and the post script said, "Save this and sell it to pay for college."

That's funny.

 

[Guestx]

I've got a bunch of shit that I've hoarded for years. Mostly sports memorabilia and such. I finished my basement last winter and built a nice big pub area so I was finally able to put a bunch of it to use and decorate with it.

That's what I would like to do. I don't want a ton of shit that's just going to sit in boxes; I want to be able to display it in a cool way.

 

[TeTe]

I've got a bunch of shit that I've hoarded for years. Mostly sports memorabilia and such. I finished my basement last winter and built a nice big pub area so I was finally able to put a bunch of it to use and decorate with it.

Good to see you itt.

Yeah, I probably have close to $7,000 in autographed sports cards. I do just fine making a profit on them. But I don't get them signed, the cards companies like Topps and Panini take care of that. I don't have to get them authenticated, I just buy them and profit.

The only stuff I keep is Colts related, otherwise it gets sold.

 

[Guestx]

Yeah, I probably have close to $7,000 in autographed sports cards. I do just fine making a profit on them. But I don't get them signed, the cards companies like Topps and Panini take care of that. I don't have to get them authenticated, I just buy them and profit.

How does all that work?

 

[TeTe]

How does all that work?

So basically over the past 15 years or so card companies started paying athletes to sign a certain number of cards, then they distribute then in packs. Maybe one or two per box.

The card already comes certified because the company watches them sign them. Another addition to cards was the companies buying game used memorabilia and cutting it up and putting in thicker cards.. sometimes those are signed as well.

Problem is, it makes the product much more expensive and now it is a hobby that mostly adults partake in. Which for me is great because now it is more profitable.

Topps has prospects sign a couple of products in particular. So, people like me that follow the MLB draft and minor leagues treat baseball prospects like stocks. You scout and buy up autos of players you think might make it big. So for instance, I bought a whole slew of Mike Trout Bowman Chrome autos in 2010.. held them and sold them for thousands and thousands of dollars when he started raking for the Angels a couple of years ago. Then some are serial numbered, making them more scarce and they sell in multiples higher than others. If you get them graded, they go for even more.

People think it's crazy, but there is a legit market for autographed cards... just go on eBay and see for yourself. Prospect is where you make the real money. Of course buying and selling at the right time is also key with this, because prices can change weekly.

He's one with three days left

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mike-Trout-...0904607076?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item5407974564

 

[Guestx]

^^^ That is very interesting. Sounds like something you have to really be patient with, waiting years to actually make a sale in some cases.

You said the autographed cards come in packs. So do you have some source to get the autographed cards directly or do you have to drop money on a shitload of packs and fish through them for the autographed ones?

 

[TeTe]

^^^ That is very interesting. Sounds like something you have to really be patient with, waiting years to actually make a sale in some cases.

You said the autographed cards come in packs. So do you have some source to get the autographed cards directly or do you have to drop money on a shitload of packs and fish through them for the autographed ones?

I don't usually buy too much "wax" as they call it in the hobby. I usually buy individual cards on eBay and sometimes at shows. It's cheaper that way usually, you can lose your ass sometimes if you try to get everything you're looking for through packs/boxes/cases.

 

[blink_man182]

Only three meaningful autographs I have that I really take pride in having are Bill Cosby autographed picture and a Mike Modano autographed rookie card(fav player).

 

[Guestx]

I don't usually buy too much "wax" as they call it in the hobby. I usually buy individual cards on eBay and sometimes at shows. It's cheaper that way usually, you can lose your ass sometimes if you try to get everything you're looking for through packs/boxes/cases.

I see. Well that's pretty interesting. I wonder if those fucking UFC cards will ever be worth anything.

 

[Striderxdj]

The only autograph I currently have thats worth a damn is my royce gracie autographed ufc gloves.

 

[TeTe]

I see. Well that's pretty interesting. I wonder if those fucking UFC cards will ever be worth anything.

The autographed ones are. I sold an Anderson Silva auto for about $50 a couple of years back. I got lucky and pulled that out of one box that I bought.

 

[Guestx]

The autographed ones are. I sold an Anderson Silva auto for about $50 a couple of years back. I got lucky and pulled that out of one box that I bought.

Here's what I want to know, how does the consumer know that you (or any seller) aren't just signing the cards yourselves? I know you said there's no COA or anything.

Also, kind of surprised a Silva card didn't go for more.

 

[TeTe]

Here's what I want to know, how does the consumer know that you (or any seller) aren't just signing the cards yourselves? I know you said there's no COA or anything.

Also, kind of surprised a Silva card didn't go for more.

They do have a c of a, it's printed on the card. You probably can't see it on the Trout I posted, but in the design it says "Topps Certified Autograph Issue."

EDIT: Actually you can see it in the top left.