I would like your opinion...

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

I know this is a matter of personal preference, but I want to get a little feedback from some members of the board. I am interested in collecting Cardinals team sets from my favorite sets like '53 Bowman Color for starters. In perusing what is out there in terms of Cardinals cards, I keep running across signed examples which in many cases are not all that much more expensive than unsigned cards, though the unsigned cards might be in a little better condition most of the time it seems. I didn't set out looking for signed cards of the Cardinals, just looking to build team sets, but I am finding the signed cards even of common players is grabbing my attention.
Which would you guys rather have, cards that might be a little nicer condition but unsigned or signed cards that are sometimes (but not always) in lesser condition?

[bnorth]

I find signed items ugly and would pay less for a signed card than a unsigned one in most cases. Also it would take way too much time to figure out what signatures are real and what ones are not. JMHO

[cardsfan73]

I see nothing wrong with signed cards at all, I just don't collect them myself. I say buy what ever makes you happy. Maybe a little bit of both? Purchase one signed card for each team set you put together?

Good luck & have fun!

Scott

[egri]

My signature pretty much gives away my position on the issue, so I'll elaborate:
There's just something about knowing that the player held the card in their hand that makes signed cards special. That, and the rarity of certain signed cards as well; there are hundreds of thousands of 1956 Topps Harry Agganis cards, but probably fewer than 100 that exist signed.

As an aside, there are 23 Cardinals in the set I'm building, and the artwork on them is superb.

[mrmopar]

I'm guessing that unless one specifically collect signatures on cards, a signature can be a distraction to most, especially if it is only 1-2 cards in a larger set that are signed and the rest remain unsigned.

Personally, I have made that one of the few collecting interests that I still actively pursue. I can't get enough signed cards and mostly I am talking the cheaper, newer players (60s and newer), most who are not real tough and are still living. Sometimes I find that I have 5-6 copies or more of certain cards signed, either because I got them in lots or really just like that crd and keep finding bargains. The record may be 10-11 of the same card. I mix that in with an occasional older card that I can get for a nice price or an obscure name. I have always felt that a signed card is better than one that is not signed and from the standpoint of scarcity, most cards will ultimately be harder to find signed, even a Bobby Doerr or Bob Feller card!

However, if I were just building team sets, I think having a few signed cards mixed in would be a distraction to me and I would either want the entire set signed or replace those signed cards with unsigned copies eventually.

[CW]

If they are grabbing your attention, and you like the looks of them, then collect 'em! Collect what you enjoy until you complete your sets or something else grabs you.

Not all signed cards are created equal, either. Some of them can have a perfectly placed, flowing signature that adds a lot of character to a card. The personal touch, as Scott mentioned, of knowing the player held the card is pretty cool, too.
I don't have many, but I like the look of a nice autograph on a piece of cardboard.

[Chicosbailbonds]

Originally Posted by egri

My signature pretty much gives away my position on the issue, so I'll elaborate:
There's just something about knowing that the player held the card in their hand that makes signed cards special. That, and the rarity of certain signed cards as well; there are hundreds of thousands of 1956 Topps Harry Agganis cards, but probably fewer than 100 that exist signed.

As an aside, there are 23 Cardinals in the set I'm building, and the artwork on them is superb.

I agree. Some of the common players can be the hardest signers. Try to find a Don Young signed Cubs card if you are putting together a 1969 Cubs set.

[pokerplyr80]

If you're into putting sets together from your favorite team I would think adding a signature from one of those players would be pretty cool. Getting an entire set from a particular year signed may prove very difficult but I would prefer an autographed card in slightly lower grade to an unsigned card.

As others have already said though, just collect what you like.