How to acquire a Hank Aaron in person Autograph

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Ben,
His current autograph is pretty bad. Have you seen it?
I would think twice about chasing getting anything signed by Aaron unless you go into it with blinders on.
Just my 2 cents...

Just curious, bad compared to what Harmon Killebrew? When was Aaron's signature considered good? I have acquired in person autos from Aaron in the early 1990's and for the last time in 2012. His signature was strong but never good. Every signature reads Hack or Hak Aaron. At 85 years of age, I would expect the signature might be perhaps jittery and maybe a bit sloppy. But at $300 a pop for a flat, I hear you.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by biohazard

Just curious, bad compared to what Harmon Killebrew? When was Aaron's signature considered good? I have acquired in person autos from Aaron in the early 1990's and for the last time in 2012. His signature was strong but never good. Every signature reads Hack or Hak Aaron. At 85 years of age, I would expect the signature might be perhaps jittery and maybe a bit sloppy. But at $300 a pop for a flat, I hear you.

we call that the old man Aaron. Big, big letters. I prefer the beautiful "Star" Aaron versions from the 80's on the NL only balls.

[cfhofer]

I always thought the athlete got paid a set fee, regardless of the volume signed. The athlete just establishes basic parameters for the signing. Promoters are the ones who typically set the individual prices. Am I wrong here?

I think with these private signings it is easier for a promoter to charge more with less volume than the other way around. They are catering to a different clientele.

Quick story: Back around 2005 I took my kid brother to a public signing for Joe Montana (JM). My brother asked JM to personalize the photo to him, which JM graciously did. However I did not purchase an additional inscription ticket. Inscription tickets are pretty common now but back then they weren't. The promoter escort sitting next to JM immediately took the photo and demanded I pay an inscription fee. I refused so he ripped up the photo and had JM sign another photo....without the personalization. JM shook his head in disgust and apologized.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by cfhofer

I always thought the athlete got paid a set fee, regardless of the volume signed. The athlete just establishes basic parameters for the signing. Promoters are the ones who typically set the individual prices. Am I wrong here?

I think with these private signings it is easier for a promoter to charge more with less volume than the other way around. They are catering to a different clientele.

Quick story: Back around 2005 I took my kid brother to a public signing for Joe Montana (JM). My brother asked JM to personalize the photo to him, which JM graciously did. However I did not purchase an additional inscription ticket. Inscription tickets are pretty common now but back then they weren't. The promoter escort sitting next to JM immediately took the photo and demanded I pay an inscription fee. I refused so he ripped up the photo and had JM sign another photo....without the personalization. JM shook his head in disgust and apologized.

My understanding from chatting/emailing promoters over the years, there are a few ways athletes gets paid:



1) Set fee for a certain # of items. Rumor was Joe DiMaggio did not get out of bed for anything less than $100K. Back in the 90's at the Long Island show the fee was over $100 (I want to say $130) and he likely signed 800-1000 items. He sold out. In this day and age, players rarely sell-out, which is why promoters usually have a huge inventory. Most players usually have an agent/ friend sitting next to them counting tickets. Oh, trust me, the player or his aide knows the count. I was at a signing for Rickey Henderson and there was an issue over the color of tickets (tiered pricing). Henderson pushes himself away from the table until the color issue was resolved.

2) Set fee for set amount of time. Unusual for a show. Usually used for a promotional event.

3) Per piece deal.

4) Player sets up his/her own table.


The majority of sales are made behind the curtain (mail order/bulk sales).

Aaron is about the same fee, in person or private. Collectors know the going rate for any given player. The private signing better be inline or at least near a public signing fee or there won't be many sales.

Inscriptions. We collectors caused this fee. Brooks Robinson is one of the nicest players on the planet. He is friendly, engaging and always positive. At one show, the guy in front me had a gray Brooks jersey and asked for a stat shirt (16x gold gloves, hof, hits, ba etc. etc.. Of course Brooks obliges but I was shocked. Sure enough a year later, the first charges for inscriptions or limited inscriptions started to appear. Also, players or agents realized that certain inscriptions increased the value of the item signed.

[Republicaninmass]

"n this day and age, players rarely sell-out,*"

Mariano rivera did at 325 a year or so ago.


Shocked me, but I'd pay that for Aaron.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

"n this day and age, players rarely sell-out,*"

Mariano rivera did at 325 a year or so ago.


Shocked me, but I'd pay that for Aaron.

Given the number of shows and signings, one sell-out a year is kind of rare. Clearly there are certain players that will draw well and sell out. Rivera is not a regular on the circuit and he is a Yankee. The last person, that I witnessed selling out at a show (CSA) was Peyton Manning. It has been well over a decade since I have pre-ordered tickets, but Rivera is one player, where pre-ordering would be a good idea.

In 2012, at the CSA show, Aaron was $300 for a flat and $350 for a large flat and did not sell out.

What would folks here pay for Koufax in person? I think Koufax could command $400 perhaps higher.

[felada]

Koufax is doing a private and well above 400 and it sold out. In person for him would no doubt be even more

[w7imel]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

"n this day and age, players rarely sell-out,*"

Mariano rivera did at 325 a year or so ago.


Shocked me, but I'd pay that for Aaron.

This is a private signing as stated in the advertisment ..you drop the stuff off or mail it in..you never get to meet him...you would pay 350 for that???

[w7imel]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

"n this day and age, players rarely sell-out,*"

Mariano rivera did at 325 a year or so ago.


Shocked me, but I'd pay that for Aaron.

375 for this really? And never even get to meet him?

[w7imel]

Or this for 81 bucks?? Same thing get a signed ball without meeting the man in person. Pretty sure I know what one I would like and still have 250 toward something else I was hunting..Just my 2 cents.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by w7imel

375 for this really? And never even get to meet him?

there it is!!!!! The "Old Man" Aaron version where he can't see anymore and his writing is gigantic.

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by w7imel

375 for this really? And never even get to meet him?

Is this for real? I heard it was bad but my good god. Sad

[bigfanNY]

I seem to be in the Minority but I have one maybe 2 items that I will be sending in. First is a 1972 Topps Poster that I think will look great signed and framed on my wall. ...