Small rant on the state of signings nowadays

[mr2686]

I don't think I can add too much to what's already been written. At one time I was going to get every living HOF'er (from the time I came back to the hobby in the mid-ish 1980's in my hardback HOF book and on single signed balls. Several of the current crop of members have priced me out (oh I can afford them, I just won't pay those stupid prices). I've just decided to pick up the reasonable players, finish my existing projects (if possible), matt and frame and be done with the whole mess. I have plenty of stuff to sit in the middle of and enjoy with a cold one.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by mr2686

I don't think I can add too much to what's already been written. At one time I was going to get every living HOF'er (from the time I came back to the hobby in the mid-ish 1980's in my hardback HOF book and on single signed balls. Several of the current crop of members have priced me out (oh I can afford them, I just won't pay those stupid prices). I've just decided to pick up the reasonable players, finish my existing projects (if possible), matt and frame and be done with the whole mess. I have plenty of stuff to sit in the middle of and enjoy with a cold one.

Mike I'll build off what you said, I believe it was Ted Simmons who was charging literal peanuts for his signature before his Hall of Fame induction, and then his prices instantly became higher the moment after he was inducted. I commend you for getting as far as you did. What year in the Hall of Fame did you stop collecting?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Jack Morris and Tim Raines were also next to nothing pre-induction. Both Baines and Raines were free TTM when they felt like signing (and I don't recall ever having a single request from anyone looking for their autographs). There was definitely more overall collector demand for Morris and Simmons.

[Republicaninmass]

I almost shat myself when I saw Mariano rivera was charging 350 and auto. I jokingly asked, how many are left. They were already sold out.

As long as the fools are lined up, priced will surge.

[Exhibitman]

It's all about the Benjamins. There's a burgeoning market in graded signed cards, especially rookie cards and rare cards. The numbers are truly staggering in some cases. Case in point, this 2013 Upper Deck PMG Tyson with autograph:



$58,800.00 at Goldin.

The base card is rare: UD made 125 numbered sets and gave them to employees as a bonus. About 1-2 a year are sold. Until a few years ago it would run you about $500 for a Tyson. Even now, you can get the card for under $5K. Get one and have it signed, it has a massive multiplier, even without dual grading. It makes it worthwhile to bite the bullet and pay up. There are lots of cards like that. Koufax's RC sells for a fortune dual-graded, so he now charges over $3K to sign it, and he sells out every time he offers a private signing. Jabbar's handlers justify four-figure up-charges for signing his RC based on what they think PSA will grade it.

What's even worse are reports that some guys won't sign their RCs or specific issues any more. This used to be a rare thing; now it is increasingly commonplace. I suspect they are trying to create a perception of rarity over certain cards that they can sign and give to family members as investments.

Then there are the rare items that you just have to get signed at whatever the cost because they are (nearly) irreplaceable...and you think they will sell for a bundle if offered. I am going to spend well into three figures to get Dr. J to sign this 1971 Virginia Squires team issue at the National:



An impossible item signed by a legendary player, again, cha-ching if I want to sell it.

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

What's even worse are reports that some guys won't sign their RCs or specific issues any more. This used to be a rare thing; now it is increasingly commonplace. I suspect they are trying to create a perception of rarity over certain cards that they can sign and give to family members as investments.

I think one of the reasons players have stopped signing RCs is the liability of handling the higher graded examples. Say I bust out a PSA 10 Mariano RC, send it to him to sign, and then when I get it back signed send it back to PSA for a dual grade. But the card comes back a 9 or even worse an 8. The promoters don't want to deal with that scenario/liability.

I know, craziness. We've come to this bc of the TPAs grading scale where the difference between an 8 and a 10 can't be seen with the human eye or more often than not is determined by chance - which day was it graded, by which grader, etc. And 'collectors' are lining up paying the crazy prices based on this foolishness.

BTW, I love the Dr. J photo. I used to go watch VA Squires games with my dad and have a few programs, team photos, etc from those days. Good times.

Those photos were taken in the Hampton Coliseum where my daughter just had her HS graduation earlier this month. Opened in 1969 and still standing 53 years later.

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by Seven

Mike I'll build off what you said, I believe it was Ted Simmons who was charging literal peanuts for his signature before his Hall of Fame induction, and then his prices instantly became higher the moment after he was inducted. I commend you for getting as far as you did. What year in the Hall of Fame did you stop collecting?

It's weird but it's not a particular year that I stopped, mainly because I've always picked up autographs of players I felt would be hall of famers. Seems like this year and almost every year prior I have at least one of the players that has gone in (most of the time when they were much cheaper to get). I just won't be going out of my way to spend $350 on any of the living members. When you look at it realistically, most of us won't be able to get all the hall of fame members (living and dead) anyway, so no big loss. What really hurts is when you need a player for a team signed project and you pretty much have to spend the money so that you can complete it.

[scmavl]

At a recent Sandy Koufax signing, if memory serves (can't find the site now), he was charging $3750 to sign his '55 Topps card.

WHAT. IS. THAT.

[Deertick]

The players are not charging anything for an autograph. They are paid an appearance fee for the time spent at the event. There is a physical limit to how many can be cranked out, and most promoters are trying to maximize their return. That is why some shows you would get whisked along, or "no talking, no pics, no personalization, etc. At least that was how it was back when I helped at shows. I remember one promotor "Ramada KOP?) ranting about "losing his ass" on Warren Spahn and Bob Feller, because despite the instructions, they spoke or took pics with anyone who asked, lol.

Had to pay them another hr to clear the line, but they signed a couple of dozen balls for him as a sort of apology. While they talked to each other.

Not sure if all the specific items and prices come from players or agents now, but wouldn't surprise me if it is still just an appearance fee and the jacking up is done by the companies.

[Duluth Eskimo]

Don’t go bringing common sense to the scenario. It sidetracks the rants.

[theshleps]

From what I read about the Koufax signing he donated most if not all his share to charity

[rjackson44]

Originally Posted by scmavl

At a recent Sandy Koufax signing, if memory serves (can't find the site now), he was charging $3750 to sign his '55 Topps card.

WHAT. IS. THAT.

Jarrod lol

[Seven]

Originally Posted by scmavl

At a recent Sandy Koufax signing, if memory serves (can't find the site now), he was charging $3750 to sign his '55 Topps card.

WHAT. IS. THAT.

I think at one point over the past few years, a Koufax signing was running $600 but I could be wrong. The steep price jump is incredible. I understand that he was doing some sort of partnership with a charity, but that's still an absurd number.

[Jewish-collector]

The signed rookie card business has skyrocketed. As a result, the promoters or the players themselves (like Jabbar on his website) have recently (within the last year or so) set much higher prices for getting the signature on the player's rookie card. A few years ago it didn't matter which card you were getting signed, but it now does. And, the costs are high as hell.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

The signed rookie card business has skyrocketed. As a result, the promoters or the players themselves (like Jabbar on his website) have recently (within the last year or so) set much higher prices for getting the signature on the player's rookie card. A few years ago it didn't matter which card you were getting signed, but it now does. And, the costs are high as hell.

Yes, and it's hilarious to see when promoters try this upcharge tactic for certain players. One promoter has an upcharge for Bill Nahorodny to sign his RC! You have to be kidding me! Besides the obvious reasons making this silly, Nahorodny is about the nicest man you could meet in the game and is a willing, free autograph signer if a person takes the time to write to him.