Toughest 1940's & 1950's Baseball Autographs

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Your correct it does not translate into other fields of collecting. Except maybe the entire cast of "The Wizard of OZ" or "Casablana" or "Gone with the Wind" or "The Godfather"

In space you have collectors who collect every astronaut. Then you get into flown versus everyone who ever attained astronaut status, which is difficult, but not impossible.

if you throw cosmonauts into the mix, it becomes nearly impossible.

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

In space you have collectors who collect every astronaut. Then you get into flown versus everyone who ever attained astronaut status, which is difficult, but not impossible.

if you throw cosmonauts into the mix, it becomes nearly impossible.

I'm curious Steve.
How many people in each of those categories?
Moonwalkers, Flew into space, just plain ole astronauts, and cosmonauts.
How many of them would be considered difficult?
Am I correct in thinking the Armstrong is the most expensive? Is he the most difficult to get?
I know little about the astronaut field, but, like most, was fascinated with them as a kid. One of my goals is to eventually get an Armstrong.

Thanks,
Mark

[Mr. Zipper]

Flown astronauts are a little over 350. Unflown are a few dozen.

Cosmonauts and taikonauts are a little over 150.

Like anything else, it's the 10% that are really tough for one reason or another.

Unflown guys like Ted Freeman, Charlie Basset, CC Williams and Elliott See are rare because they died early in the program. There are also a few shuttle astros you've never heard of before who sell for huge money because they died prematurely soon after they earned their wings.

Grissom, White and Chaffee (Apollo 1) are not super rare, but in very high demand. Then there is Bill anders (Apollo 8) who hates signing and is uncommon and in high demand. To make it even more fun, Anders intentionally changes how he signs (when he rarely signs) just to mess with collectors.

Armstrong is common, but demand is so high, signed cards sell for $1000. Photos $1500 and up.

Russian tradition was cosmonauts should not sign until after their flight... A superstition they all followed. So, the cosmonauts who died on their first flight are extremely rare. For example, Dobrovolsky and Patseyev who died on Soyuz 11 only exist on a handful of official documents that reside in Russian museums. A few signed items have appeared on the collector market, however many collectors have serious doubts about these items.

There are various subsets such as all 12 moonwalkers on white spacesuit photos, but there is always a catch. For instance, Jim Irwin hated his space suit portrait and almost never signed it. An Irwin WSS unpersonalized would probably sell for $10,000+.

A single item with all 12 moonwalkers would be huge. Only a handful exist. A baseball with 10 (or was it 11) of the 12 just sold at heritage for $21,000 plus.

[Lordstan]

WOW.
I had no idea there were that many. Fascinating stuff.
Thanks for the education. I really do appreciate it.

Now I have to plan the money for an Armstrong. Hmmm.

Best,
Mark

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Now I have to plan the money for an Armstrong.

I'd love an Armstrong - who wouldn't? - but I'll settle for my Buzz Aldrin check.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

I'd love an Armstrong - who wouldn't? - but I'll settle for my Buzz Aldrin check.

Nice. Back in the late 80s/90s, Aldrin donated a a bunch of these checks to the Space Unit in Queens NY. The Space Unit sold them for the princely sum of $40 and they lasted years.

Wish I bought more than one at that time!

[mrmopar]

Yep, missing Osgood as well. I guess I have to admit that I am a dabbler. Actually I started it all by making a list of players from 1950-present and it got me so involved that I lost the will to do the 1949 and back list…yet. I figure most of those guys are gone already, so no harm in waiting a little longer to find them.

It is fascinating to find these pockets of toughies for what must seem like no good reason. i mean why would a guy who plays a handful of games be so reluctant to sign, especially if a few bucks could be made…but there are enough of them.

I know this is an older range thread, but I am still looking for reasonably priced autos of Robert Giallombardo and Noe Munoz (cards preferred for both, but I think both only have 1-2 cards to choose from), both still living, but obviously not prolific signers.

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

If you base this on the number of people wanting his signature I'd say Willard Brown.

[stat192]

I figured I would revive this thread and hope someone out there can help me

I just need the following autos to complete my 1940 to present autograph collection, any help would be greatly appreciated.

1942
Bert Hodges 01 Phillies

1944
JOHN FICK 58 PHLLIES
BARNEY KOCH 87 DODGERS
CLANCY SMYRES 07 DODGERS

1945
JACK PHILLIPS 58 GIANTS

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

A single item with all 12 moonwalkers would be huge. Only a handful exist. A baseball with 10 (or was it 11) of the 12 just sold at heritage for $21,000 plus.

If you included Michael Jackson that would be 13 "moonwalkers"

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

If you included Michael Jackson that would be 13 "moonwalkers"

[earlywynnfan]

How does Dave Hoskins rate for toughness? I always thought he was pretty hard, I consider myself lucky to have a single-signed ball of his. I'm about to post a team-signed ball with him, but don't want to mislead.

Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

Flown astronauts are a little over 350. Unflown are a few dozen.

Cosmonauts and taikonauts are a little over 150.

Like anything else, it's the 10% that are really tough for one reason or another.

Unflown guys like Ted Freeman, Charlie Basset, CC Williams and Elliott See are rare because they died early in the program. There are also a few shuttle astros you've never heard of before who sell for huge money because they died prematurely soon after they earned their wings.

Grissom, White and Chaffee (Apollo 1) are not super rare, but in very high demand. Then there is Bill anders (Apollo 8) who hates signing and is uncommon and in high demand. To make it even more fun, Anders intentionally changes how he signs (when he rarely signs) just to mess with collectors.

Armstrong is common, but demand is so high, signed cards sell for $1000. Photos $1500 and up.

Russian tradition was cosmonauts should not sign until after their flight... A superstition they all followed. So, the cosmonauts who died on their first flight are extremely rare. For example, Dobrovolsky and Patseyev who died on Soyuz 11 only exist on a handful of official documents that reside in Russian museums. A few signed items have appeared on the collector market, however many collectors have serious doubts about these items.

There are various subsets such as all 12 moonwalkers on white spacesuit photos, but there is always a catch. For instance, Jim Irwin hated his space suit portrait and almost never signed it. An Irwin WSS unpersonalized would probably sell for $10,000+.

A single item with all 12 moonwalkers would be huge. Only a handful exist. A baseball with 10 (or was it 11) of the 12 just sold at heritage for $21,000 plus.

Are the guys from the recently discovered CIA gemini project known? I'd imagine those would be tough.

Steve B

[JimStinson]

Dave Hoskins is VERY tough even though he died in 1970. Most collectors however that collect everyone would want him on a single flat , maybe not a team ball but he would absolutely add value to the ball. I would expect a flat item, cut from album page etc to sell in the $150.00-$200 price range.
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[btcarfagno]

Just picked up this Herb Gorman 1952 Cardinals team signed sheet. If anyone is looking for Gorman, let me know....

Tom C

[earlywynnfan]

Guess he's not the toughest on multi-signed items, here's a baseball with him.

Ken