The Great American Pursuit: A Study of Athlete Signing Fees 1970s-present

[mr2686]

I paid 25 for Gwynn to sign a ball in 1991 locally in San Diego, and 99 for him to sign my HOF book in 2008

[cjedmonton]

Originally Posted by mr2686

I paid 25 for Gwynn to sign a ball in 1991 locally in San Diego, and 99 for him to sign my HOF book in 2008

Thank you.

Gwynn's pricing is still holding steady, it seems. I can get an oversized item signed for $99 this year.

[cjedmonton]

In my opinion, nothing rings truer than your last post, Mark.

That's a wonderful program, by the way!

[Lordstan]

Thanks Chris.
Your poster is pretty spectacular as well.

[cjedmonton]

Now that I'm seeing actual prices I'll have to pay to continue with my item, I'm torn.

Now, I'm a realist by not promising I'll hold the item forever, but that is certainly my intent at this point.

Although I could shave a good chunk from that $1,200+ quote for those 11 names by waiting for private signing opportunities, any savings would easily be offset by the time, shipping cost, and increased risk of loss/damage by sending it out multiple times.

Coupled with the unknown cost of future names I'd like to add to the theme (Maddux, Griffey Jr., Bonds and Clemens if they are ever elected), well it's hard to digest, to say the least...even if it is spread out over several years.

[Lordstan]

Chris,
With a piece like yours, that has so much value already, I would say the less you have to send it out, the better. If you can afford the money, go for it.
If you're not in a position to spend the money right now then I would go with older and more difficult guys first and then send away or travel to shows where multiple players you need are appearing together.
While they are all greats, I doubt that your poster would be that much less valuable because any one of those listed wasn't on it. Certainly not enough for me to risk sending it out over and over just to get a guy like Ozzie Smith on it. I mean no offense to Oz, but he sig is common and not likely to add much, probably not even the cost of the signature, to the value of the poster.
Value to cost ratios aside, the completist in me probably wouldn't be happy without all of them on it.
Good Luck,
Mark

[cjedmonton]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Chris,
With a piece like yours, that has so much value already, I would say the less you have to send it out, the better. If you can afford the money, go for it.
If you're not in a position to spend the money right now then I would go with older and more difficult guys first and then send away or travel to shows where multiple players you need are appearing together.
While they are all greats, I doubt that your poster would be that much less valuable because any one of those listed wasn't on it. Certainly not enough for me to risk sending it out over and over just to get a guy like Ozzie Smith on it. I mean no offense to Oz, but he sig is common and not likely to add much, probably not even the cost of the signature, to the value of the poster.
Value to cost ratios aside, the completist in me probably wouldn't be happy without all of them on it.
Good Luck,
Mark

And that, my friend, is my hobby Achilles! Any pre-1990 MLB alum who made the HOF is in my sights!

Only these players/managers could have signed the poster before passing:

Dick Williams
Joe Sewell
Leo Durocher
Richie Ashburn
Ron Santo

The completist in me wants everyone else.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Chris,
With a piece like yours, that has so much value already, I would say the less you have to send it out, the better. If you can afford the money, go for it.
If you're not in a position to spend the money right now then I would go with older and more difficult guys first and then send away or travel to shows where multiple players you need are appearing together.
While they are all greats, I doubt that your poster would be that much less valuable because any one of those listed wasn't on it. Certainly not enough for me to risk sending it out over and over just to get a guy like Ozzie Smith on it. I mean no offense to Oz, but he sig is common and not likely to add much, probably not even the cost of the signature, to the value of the poster.
Value to cost ratios aside, the completist in me probably wouldn't be happy without all of them on it.
Good Luck,
Mark

Mark,
I believe that this is all around outstanding advice.

I would also mention that it's possible that some of the high priced autograph guests likely will get less costly after the halo effect wears off. Many of the recent HOF'ers and future HOF'ers are still young. Wait a few years and I suspect that their price will soften in some cases. Just my 2 cents...

[travrosty]

wow, dimag got 1st class airfare paid to go to the signing. he's going top shelf all the way!