What did everyone think about Memory Lane�s strong Mickey Mantle on card autograph s

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #1 01-16-2024, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seven

It's a terrible look. The move away from what I would presume are Fountain Pens, to sharpies was awful.

An important part of the transitionary evolution, and the one that made permanent markers the implement of choice for cards: the ballpoint pen. For cards, they were far too temperamental, especially in an in-person, ballpark situation. Too many light signatures signed in too many dark areas. Many IP signatures were signed so poorly that they look more like indentations on the cardboard rather than autographs.

We also had the (thankfully) short-lived period of the flair pen, which ran concurrent with 1960's ballpoint all the way into the 1970's era when Sharpies started cornering a nice portion of the process.

Love them or hate them, Sharpies definitely earned their place. I agree with you that a period fountain pen signature is king, but they too could be temperamental. So many variables. Sharpies and the like are the most consistent for cards, so their staying power is quite understandable.

raulus · #2 01-16-2024, 11:04 AM

My mostly worthless thoughts:

Can't say that I really care all that much, since I stay away from autographed pieces. Nothing against them. Just not my thing. We've all got to draw the line somewhere, and this is definitely one that's off my list.

But for the sellers, bully for them.

If you enjoy collecting autographed Mantle cards, then I guess the cost is higher today than it used to be. So hopefully you aren't too agitated by that possibility.

On the other hand, some part of me assumes that if people are chasing this stuff and spending all their cash on it, then it means less focus and competition for me on the stuff that I really want. Probably just wishful thinking, but if I'm looking for a silver lining, then I guess I'll focus on this.

Seven · #3 01-16-2024, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

An important part of the transitionary evolution, and the one that made permanent markers the implement of choice for cards: the ballpoint pen. For cards, they were far too temperamental, especially in an in-person, ballpark situation. Too many light signatures signed in too many dark areas. Many IP signatures were signed so poorly that they look more like indentations on the cardboard rather than autographs.

We also had the (thankfully) short-lived period of the flair pen, which ran concurrent with 1960's ballpoint all the way into the 1970's era when Sharpies started cornering a nice portion of the process.

Love them or hate them, Sharpies definitely earned their place. I agree with you that a period fountain pen signature is king, but they too could be temperamental. So many variables. Sharpies and the like are the most consistent for cards, so their staying power is quite understandable.

Really no form of medium for autographs is going to be 100% perfect. I will say that Sharpies are the most reliable but I just can't get on board with how they look, at least on cards.

A part of me does wonder, and I'm sure they exist, the amount of cards from the 50's that were signed using fountain pen? I would think some of them exist, for players like Mantle, Mays, etc. While the pens certainly fell out of favor, I'd presume that a guy like Mantle most likely grew up using a Fountain Pen. A part of me also wonders (as I wasn't alive), would people show up to shows in the 70's and 80's and request the type of pen a player would use on their item?

MattyC · #4 01-16-2024, 12:47 PM

Several of those were mine. I thought Joe T did a great job presenting the data on them, in terms of how rare they are as compared to their unsigned counterparts— and then diving deeper into how hard it is to find a card with centering and eye appeal that also has been graced with a well placed and attractive autograph. In most cases, of the 20-50ish examples that exist for a given signed 50s Mantle, either an issue with the card or the auto results in what can best be called sub-optimal eye appeal, leaving single digits to choose from. And then most of those are held in collections.

Before I would select an example for my collection I would be sure to look at nearly all of the population to get a gauge for the general eye appeal. Some examples of the fun research:

I was certainly bummed to part with them, yet sometimes as collectors— akin to being GM of a team— we have to give up the very, very good to get the great in our clubhouse. For me, a longtime collecting goal which I never thought possible was to create this quartet pictured below and so when the chance arose I made the moves to make it happen.

packs · #5 01-16-2024, 01:46 PM

Always a fan of a strong sale. And get them in pen when I can:

Johnny630 · #6 01-16-2024, 03:26 PM

The pumping trend of signed HOF's specifically Mantles have been going on now for about 6 months in major auction houses by investors, it's a trend like the cards were over the past two and a half years. Now is the time to sell these do not chase them and pay up now....they will come back down to earth give it a year or two. They were flat for years prior.

Golfpro10 · #7 01-16-2024, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packs

Always a fan of a strong sale. And get them in pen when I can:

Great Card! Love the pen auto!

Golfpro10 · #8 01-16-2024, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyC

Several of those were mine. I thought Joe T did a great job presenting the data on them, in terms of how rare they are as compared to their unsigned counterparts� and then diving deeper into how hard it is to find a card with centering and eye appeal that also has been graced with a well placed and attractive autograph. In most cases, of the 20-50ish examples that exist for a given signed 50s Mantle, either an issue with the card or the auto results in what can best be called sub-optimal eye appeal, leaving single digits to choose from. And then most of those are held in collections.

Before I would select an example for my collection I would be sure to look at nearly all of the population to get a gauge for the general eye appeal. Some examples of the fun research:

I was certainly bummed to part with them, yet sometimes as collectors� akin to being GM of a team� we have to give up the very, very good to get the great in our clubhouse. For me, a longtime collecting goal which I never thought possible was to create this quartet pictured below and so when the chance arose I made the moves to make it happen.

Wow wow wow. Unbelievable cards! Well Done! 👏👏

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