What's your stance on later in life autographs?

MacDice · #1 04-20-2012, 10:12 PM

I am amazed at how much Hank Aaron's signature has changed over the last few years. I would have a hard time telling what is authentic and what is not if I did not see it signed in person.

Mr. Zipper · #2 04-21-2012, 07:56 AM

Generally I have no issue with later in life autographs. I have a mark Koenig signed Ron Lewis print that is extremely shaky.

That said, I would try to avoid one if a younger, more fluid signature is available for the same price or less. The Steiner Hank Aaron balls come to mind. Aaron's signature is now a giant cartoonish parody of his younger signature. Why pay a ton for one from Steiner when you can get an earlier sig for much less?

chaddurbin · #3 04-21-2012, 01:23 PM

tend to avoid. the shakiness is a reminder of our mortality. i want to remember our heroes as strong and invincible.

David Atkatz · #4 04-21-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

Why pay a ton for one from Steiner when you can get an earlier sig for much less?

Why pay a ton for anything from Steiner?

Exhibitman · #5 04-22-2012, 06:50 AM

Depends. Some guys signed alot later in life and if I want a signature at a reasonable price it will be one of those. The Negro League guys are the best examples of that. No cards and precious little otherwise out there from their careers but some decent stuff at later in their lives. Plus, in some ways it says to me that the player wasn't spending his twilight years forgotten and unappreciated but was still getting love from the fans.

The funniest incident I had with late in life signings was when I looked to buy some pieces from a longtime collector who attended lots of HOF events and got lots of signatures. He was an old man and his hand shook as he held the items so every signature he had in his collection was shaky, even when the athlete was young.

7nohitter · #6 04-22-2012, 08:22 AM

This is a great thread.

I am happy with any auto, shaky or otherwise. I too have noticed the recent decline in Aaron's signature...scary.

mr2686 · #7 04-22-2012, 09:52 AM

Aaron, Mays and Musial are all getting real bad. In Mays case, I think he's fairly blind so he sometimes signs going off the page if he doesn't start in the right spot. I used to like Lee MacPhail's auto too, but it's getting real bad.

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