Shelly,
Again, I think you are misinterpreting my thoughts.
I'm not saying there isn't a market for full name or ROY or HOF or stat inscribed balls. I'm not saying that the prices might be higher for these balls.
What I am trying to communicate is this
1) I personally couldn't care about a current player full name signed ball. I certainly wouldn't pay any more for one. I might not even buy one at all because I think they look a little weird to me.
2) I think people should buy what they like and are passionate about without regard to whether or not someone else thinks it's cool, rare, or valuable. If you, and everyone else like you, prefer full name signed items...Great. I hope you all enjoy them as part of your collection. (As communicating on the internet comes without you seeing my face or hearing the inflection in my voice, I want to be clear, that I mean that, fully and honestly, without any sarcasm at all.)
As a separate discussion, I'm not sure I fully agree with your rationale regarding some of your conclusions. Using some of your examples, I think a ball signed "Larrupin" or "The Iron Horse" or "Biscuit Pants" Lou Gehrig would sell for multiples of a full name signed one. I think a "Master Melvin" Mel Ott would do the same. As the singular ultimate example, I think a "Sultan of Swat" Ruth signed item's final price, ball or otherwise, would likely sell for more money than any sports autographed item has ever sold for. To use your more current example, I would much prefer a "Joltin Joe" or "Yankee Clipper" to a full name JP Dimaggio. I think this would apply to any player, current or older, because, as David stated, these nicknames relate to the way the player was identified within the game. I believe, items signed "Poosh'em up", Hammerin", "The Old Professor", "The Lip", "Terrific", "The Sey Hey Kid", "The Georgia Peach", "Rajah", and on and on, would all sell for more than a full name signed similar item.
None of this changes my #2 above. Forget about rarity or market value, collect what you enjoy. That is why I collect what I do.
Best to all,
Mark
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