Small rant on the state of signings nowadays

[gonefishin]

Short story. I was looking through my autograph collection a few weeks ago and came across my Ron Cey autographed rookie, 73 Topps. I thought why not see if I can get Schmidt's and Hilton's autograph also - sounded good. I first checked for Schmidt's signing. I found where he was doing an in-person signing and you could also send in the item. I forget exactly the amounts, and I'm sickened to look it up again, but he was charging let's say $250 for a simple autograph (no inscription, etc.). The price for him to sign his 73 Topps was about 2-3 times higher! I couldn't believe it! I quickly erased that thought from my mind and decided it wasn't happening. This thread made me remember how horrible I thought that was. If you're paying x amount for a simple autograph - what does it matter what he/she is signing! Same amount of time, etc.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

Short story. I was looking through my autograph collection a few weeks ago and came across my Ron Cey autographed rookie, 73 Topps. I thought why not see if I can get Schmidt's and Hilton's autograph also - sounded good. I first checked for Schmidt's signing. I found where he was doing an in-person signing and you could also send in the item. I forget exactly the amounts, and I'm sickened to look it up again, but he was charging let's say $250 for a simple autograph (no inscription, etc.). The price for him to sign his 73 Topps was about 2-3 times higher! I couldn't believe it! I quickly erased that thought from my mind and decided it wasn't happening. This thread made me remember how horrible I thought that was. If you're paying x amount for a simple autograph - what does it matter what he/she is signing! Same amount of time, etc.

It wouldn't hurt to know that Hilton died several years ago. Will likely make you scrap the entire idea, which isn't the worst notion in the world.

[gonefishin]

Originally Posted by BillyCox3

It wouldn't hurt to know that Hilton died several years ago. Will likely make you scrap the entire idea, which isn't the worst notion in the world.

I stopped looking after researching Schmidt, so I was not aware that Hilton had died. I just now pulled the card and checked it - I'll settle for "The Penguin's" autograph only.

I do have a Schmidt autographed card that he signed during his playing days, 75 Topps. He did sign it on the back of the card, but it's in pen, legible and was free.

[Topps206]

The Joe Montana/Tom Brady thing is the most egregious I can think of for charging for signings. Peyton Manning and Terrell Owens have unbelievable prices, with Peyton starting at $300.

I don’t like how some prices have raised. Thomas Hearns was going to be $40 at a show, but that was March 2020 and COVID shut it down the day before the event. He was $60 two years later.

I just got Sidney Moncrief for $50, though I think he was going to be $40 at that same show, too.

Not a signing, but at the show I was at earlier this month, as a Sports Illustrated collector, LeBron’s Sports Illustrated signed was priced at $5,000.

[tha-rock]

Hey gonefishin...

That "back signed" 1975 Topps Schmidt is a rubber stamp. I've seen the same thing before.

[gonefishin]

I never gave it much thought and never really examined it. Do you have a picture of the stamped card you're talking about? I'd like to see it.

[5-Tool Player]

Originally Posted by tha-rock

Hey gonefishin...

That "back signed" 1975 Topps Schmidt is a rubber stamp. I've seen the same thing before.

+1......rubber all the way. : (