Todd,
It's just like every other type of collecting. In order to do it well and safely, you have to learn about the subject matter and the how people attempt to take advantage. It may appear more dangerous, but the reality is that it isn't. Autographs are no more complicated than cards or bats or pennants. If you were spending good money on a card, I bet you would research what it's supposed to look like, Right? You would learn how rare the cards are by, among other things, reading guide books, joining an online forum, joining collectors clubs, and talking to people, both other collectors and dealers, at shows. I think this is how we all learned about the things we like to collect.
When I started on this forum, I knew nothing about vintage photography. At the time, Jimmy C(Kingofclout), was very active on the board, specializing in that field, and I asked him a TON of questions. I absorbed everything I could about it. Now, while I don't consider myself an expert, I have become educated in the field and feel very comfortable researching, purchasing, and even giving advice about vintage photography. Plus, there is still more to learn.
The best piece of advice for you and all the others that are considering entering into autograph collecting is to study. Learn all you can, before you spend the big bucks. There are plenty of knowledgeable and helpful autograph people around to help you learn and plenty of good dealers around to allow you to buy in the safest way possible.
Jimmy,
It was what you said, not how strongly you said it that concerned myself and others. You stated that the COA people will "work with you." This implies that they might pass an auto that isn't good to get your return business.
As a card guy, think of it like this. Supposed I came to the card side and told someone who was new to cards that they should submit a 52 Mantle, that everyone here states is fake, to a PSA, etc anyway. I go on to advise that they should have submitted it to the TPAs first, instead of asking opinions here, because hey PSA/SGC/etc want your return business, so they might "work with you." Don't you think I would get eaten alive by the card guys for suggesting this? Don't you think the implication that it if, somehow, the TPAs did slab the fake card, which we all know has happened, for that person, that it would be OK for them to sell because the TPAs slabbed it, would be met with harsh opinions from all the guys on that side? (What are we East[cards] and West Germany[memorabilia]?)
Best,
Mark
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