Question for those that collect HOF signed 8x10's

[homerunhitter]

Hello,
can anyone tell me why Baseball HOF signed photos are so cheap. I mean, I can get a HOFer on EBAY with PSA/DNA authentication for almost the cost of just the PSA authentication itself! for some reason they are super cheap. you would think HOF players would be worh much more , players like trout, ichiro and derek jeter are a few hundred dollars but most HOFers you can get on EBAY for $20-30. I noticed that one time when I sold some HOF photos the auctions ended on some for $12-15!! at that low of a price I didnt even get what I paid PSA/Beckett, JSA, etc to authenticate them! Just wondering why 8X10's are going for so cheap...not only HOFers but all baseball players it seems. Thanks for your input.

[johnts1]

Most hall of famers? $20-$30? Like who?

[Mr. Zipper]

A lot of the common show signers from the 90s -- Feller, Slaughter, Wilhelm, Snider, etc -- signed a ton of "extras" for promoters. These signed photos exist in mass quantity. After that it is simply supply and demand.

Also, bear in mind that the TPAs will issue card certs for these low value players at a steep discount for dealers.

Another factor is that signed photos generally do not seem to be as desirable as signed baseballs.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

A lot of the common show signers from the 90s -- Feller, Slaughter, Wilhelm, Snider, etc -- signed a ton of "extras" for promoters. These signed photos exist in mass quantity. After that it is simply supply and demand.

Also, bear in mind that the TPAs will issue card certs for these low value players at a steep discount for dealers.

Another factor is that signed photos generally do not seem to be as desirable as signed baseballs.

Which TPA offers those steep discounts for 8x10s?

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by Yastrzemski Sports

Which TPA offers those steep discounts for 8x10s?

To my knowledge, they all make volume discount deals. Approach them at a show with a hefty stack of Bob Fellers, Enos Slaughters and Johnny Podres and the price will be a fraction of the posted website prices. Of course, this only works for COA cards (not full letters) for lower price items.

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by Yastrzemski Sports

Which TPA offers those steep discounts for 8x10s?

PSA/DNA will. The discounts start at about 50 items, from what i was told. I had asked a few months ago how much they would charge if I submitted 400 photos. They quoted me a price of $7 each.
As was previously stated, many of these guys signed a ton in the 80's and 90's and extra for the promoters. My father would purchase the extras that a promoter in St. Louis would have the guys sign at the end of shows. While he sold tons over the years, I probably have about 1000 photos, 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20's.... baseball, some basketball, football and a ton of hockey since St. Louis was a hockey town. While I know they are good, most of them aren't worth the cost to have them authenticated. I did take some 16x20's recently and had them done at a show for a higher price. A couple Favre's, Bob Gibson, Gale Sayers, one with Musial, Moore and Slaughter and my favorite one was of 4 1984 Cubs.... Sandberg, Dernier, Durham and Moreland.
Feller signed so many autos that almost anyone that can say his name should have one. He was always nice to talk to at shows. We spoke for a while at a show, I believe maybe Memphis, back in the 90's. He told me that at that point he basically lived in hotels. A promoter would pay to fly him to a show, pay for his food and lodging, pay him to sign then he would go on to the next show the following week. He was an interesting man and a great player, but can't imagine his auto will ever be worth much of anything. I have given plenty of them away and probably still have 30 or more left.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Promethius88

Feller signed so many autos that almost anyone that can say his name should have one. He was always nice to talk to at shows. We spoke for a while at a show, I believe maybe Memphis, back in the 90's. He told me that at that point he basically lived in hotels. A promoter would pay to fly him to a show, pay for his food and lodging, pay him to sign then he would go on to the next show the following week. He was an interesting man and a great player, but can't imagine his auto will ever be worth much of anything. I have given plenty of them away and probably still have 30 or more left.

Agreed. Feller was always talking. He was an ambassador for the game. I am usually disappointed when a promoter announces a guest list. I have to stop myself and remember that there are new collectors entering the hobby who just might not have had the opportunity to get Jim Palmer or Gaylord Perry.

Feller's signature on a stock 8x10 will never be worth much, but on a unique item the price would be higher.

[homerunhitter]

Any new thoughts on this?

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

A lot of the common show signers from the 90s -- Feller, Slaughter, Wilhelm, Snider, etc -- signed a ton of "extras" for promoters. These signed photos exist in mass quantity. After that it is simply supply and demand.

True. It depends on the player. Bob Feller was a frequent signer on the circuit. I would guess that the wholesale price on a Feller 8x10 is less than $15. Jim Palmer is the new Feller. Also, some members of the hall are just more coveted by collectors (Mantle, Koufax, Aaron). It is unlikely that you will find 8x10's of those three for $30 (forgeries).

[Case12]

This guy beats Bob Feller! :-)

[Case12]

Watch it on you tube. He's faster than they can move the pages :-)
https://youtu.be/e1GAa9A2Pf0

[homerunhitter]

Also is there a set number of How many of the 325 HOFers are r
Possible to obtain on 8x10 photos? I thought I read some where the number is 150ish of the 325 members of the HOF?