Collecting Autographs in the good old days

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Richard I kept a journal like yours from 1977 thru 1988 on my TTM requests. I got most of the baseball addresses from The Trader Speaks, they ran a few inside the front cover for years.

One of my favorites was a Cool Papa Bell from 1979. His daughter enclosed a note that said "Cool Papa can't see no more but he liked your letter so he signed your photo." It made me feel great.

In the early 1980s one of my jobs as SID at a school was to oversee a photo lab. I used to make 8x10s from photos in books then mail them away. I ran into some strange happenings in the 1980s. A request to Jocko Conlan came back with his personal request for prayers. He died the next day. Same from Carl Hubbell, he passed a week later.

On the football side, my letter to Sammy Baugh was mailed July 17, 1986 and the photo came back July 17, 1987. A request to Bobby Layne came back in 6 days and while watching Sports Center that night I learned that he died that day. I quit writing people for a period after that.

I did a project in the late 1980s writing to the 1964 Cardinals, they were wonderful, most sent letters and additional photos since I was just sending index cards.

Earlier this year I wrote Wally Moon, Carl Erskine and George Shuba, my first letters in over a decade. I received no responses. I guess those days have passed.

I looked back through my journals this morning and I can't find a single instance from that earlier period when a football player including HOFers did not respond. I am guessing that the hockey guys were much the same. Every one that I have ever met in person has been wonderful.

[metrotheme]

That's odd because Erskine is one of the best TTM signers out there. Moon and Shuba both charge TTM.

Originally Posted by Hot Springs Bathers

Earlier this year I wrote Wally Moon, Carl Erskine and George Shuba, my first letters in over a decade. I received no responses. I guess those days have passed.

[canjond]

Growing up I was an avid TTM autograph collector. I recently sent out a few letters again to get some unique items signed. Bobby Doerr continue to be a class act and is very generous, responding to every letter he receives.

[Heritage Sports]

Just curious, as I've never tried it, but what even happens if you try to get modern stars (A-Rod, Pujols, etc.) through the mail today? Do you even get back an "Are you kidding me??" note from their handlers? Absolutely nothing? A flyer with their price lists?

[prewarsports]

I had tremendous success in the late 1980's and it was one of my favorite hobbies. I remember having the least success with Basketball players, however and most sent back the cards unsigned or just never returned them. I did beat the odds and got back a signed Michael Jordan in 1989. I had a ton of success with hockey players (growing up in Maine) and I cant remember anyone sending me back the cards I sent unsigned. Wayne Gretzky sent me back my cards unsigned but sent me an 8X10 signed, and I remember Lemieux, Yzerman, Brett Hull etc all signing. I never wrote to retired stars, just current players at the stadium and it was really fun.

Rhys

[packs]

When Rick Ankiel was just coming up I sent him a copy of the Beckett he was on the cover of. I didn't even have his address, so I just sent it to the Cardinals. To my surprise, he sent it back to me with a nice signature. It's too bad he didn't pan out, but it shows his character even then when he was on top of the world.

A few years ago I also sent Don Mattingly some items from Don Mattingly Day at Yankee Stadium, a ticket and a couple of 8 x 10's the Yankees handed out at the stadium for the event. He signed everything. It made me happy that my favorite player as a kid was a stand up guy too.

Last year I sent David Price tickets from his ML debut against the Yankees. I sent them to the Rays but have never seen them again. Wish I could have those back.

[Writehooks]

In 1980 I sent a ball to Catfish Hunter, c/o "General Delivery, Hertford, N.C." I also enclosed a short note requesting that he personalize the autograph, and a money order for $10 to cover return postage. A few weeks later, I was thrilled to receive a package marked "special delivery." Inside was the ball — beautifully inscribed — along with two signed color photos and the UNCASHED money order, along with a handwritten note from Hunter that said he was "just happy to have fans up in Canada." Truly a classy guy.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Heritage Sports

Just curious, as I've never tried it, but what even happens if you try to get modern stars (A-Rod, Pujols, etc.) through the mail today? Do you even get back an "Are you kidding me??" note from their handlers? Absolutely nothing? A flyer with their price lists?

They go into a very large black hole never to be seen again. I have been in a major league clubhouse before and the amount of mail in the tubs for the fringe guys would surprise you.

[HRBAKER]

I restarted ttm in 1986 after a long layoff from childhood and have sent some out every year since. I have about 400+ out in 2010. I have always kept a record of who, what, when and when rec'd back. Started out on a legal pad and migrated to an excel spreadsheet once I entered the computer age in 1994. I have a wall calendar that hangs in my office and I write down each day on it who i get back if any. I believe the most I ever sent out in a year was about 1200.