When Inscriptions Ruin An Autograph
 

Just came across this on ebay... A PSA 10 Sandberg autographed (also graded 10 on the auto) Topps Rookie with the inscription "Rookie Card"... I can understand if he was ROY or maybe HOF but why have such an odd inscription on a PSA 10 rookie of a HOF player? What's the deal with people going crazy with inscriptions and "stat" autos anyways? It used to seem pretty standard that a HOF inscription would add like only $5 to an item, now people are getting stats and charging, in some cases, 3-5x the value of the item without. What are your guys thoughts?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-Topps-...Cclp%3A2334524

The only inscriptions I like are personalized ones. Most people don't...but I'm not into it for resale.

I don't go out of my way to buy autographed items. Some of the Wade Boggs bats I bought have them. I don't mind a simple autograph. I also have one with his auto, life time batting average and hits on it. I like it because of the location and layout. Most I have seen I don't like. I also had one personalized "To Susan". I removed the "To Susan" part.

It's a matter of personal preference, of course, and opinions vary on which items to autograph, which to leave alone, the placement of autographs, which pen to use, and anything written beyond a simple signature. I'm more of a minimalist when it comes to autographs, but to some folks more is better: inscriptions, slabbing, stickers, etc.

Agreed, I'm not a fan of stat balls either. The RC inscription just deters from the beauty of the Sandberg card, IMO.

I don't usually like them but I had to have this one:

https://live.staticflickr.com/794/40...924f340635.jpg

My thought is that is the stupidest inscription that I've ever seen. And how does PSA know that Sandberg wrote 'Rookie Card' - do they have exemplars?

In general, I usually don't mind short inscriptions on a card if they are meaningful.

I like that Yankees one. It feels personal since the isn't any specific person named.

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I am in Case12's camp on this one. I appreciate a personalization to me as I prefer not to resale. The extra inscriptions are ok but I wouldn't pay a dollar extra for them. I certainly wouldn't pay $269 in ADDITION to the signature fee for Hank Aaron to write 755 below his name. Also, asking $5,000 for that Sandberg card is hilarious.

I love inscriptions , goes well with my framed tickets collection ,few examples....

Sandberg is a great autographer and also just a really good person. I named my son after him and at the Tristar show in Houston in February had him personalize a baseball to my son. My son lives in another country and its been a struggle with the mother to get him to the US.

I don't mind personalized inscriptions If the items are for me, though It's been a while since I got something signed for myself in person. I'm fine with nicknames or accomplishments too. Something like the Amount of home runs or "2012 ROY"