Collecting Sports Autographs

© Sports Collectors Digest, F+W Publications Inc.

The most common memorabilia that is autographed includes balls, bats, helmets, sticks, pucks, index cards, photographs and postcards, Hall of Fame plaques and postcards, equipment (shoes, skates, helmets, jerseys, trunks), programs and books, letters and documents, bank checks, and cut signatures, which have been taken from another piece of writing, such as a manu¬script, letter or check.

Autographs can be obtained several ways—writing to the player, waiting at his hotel, or attending an autograph show. The most personable, and perhaps memorable, experience would be acquiring the autograph from the player at the stadium or arena. But get there early, before practice; once a player is into his game routine he doesn’t want to be distracted. Give yourself an edge over fans who are rude and obnoxious with their requests by being polite and calling the athlete by “Mr.” or “Miss.” Have a pen ready and keep your request simple and fast also helps.

Another alternative is at a sports card show. Show promoters often impose time/or quota limitations, so if you know a player is going to be signing at a show, it’s wise to get tickets in advance and get there early.

Dealers and show promoters often hold private signings with the players during which the player fills the mail-order requests sent to the dealer. Non-flat items that are signed sometimes require an extra fee. These private signings are usually adver¬tised in hobby publications. Authenticity is generally guaran¬teed, and most dealers also have a return policy.

Direct requests can be sent to the player via the mail in care of his team’s address, which is the best way, or his home, but the results can be unpredictable, due to the amount of mail the play¬ers receive. Some players also believe mail sent to their homes is an invasion of their privacy, so your request might go unheeded.

When dealing through the mail, send less valuable items; you don’t want the post office to lose or damage them. Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope or package with the required postage for its return. A courteous, creative, brief request, which distinguishes and sets off your letter from the others, will yield better results.

Specify if the item is to be personalized or dated, and don’t ask the player to sign more than two items. Perhaps you can include an extra for the player to keep, but players are becoming wary of those who request several autographs, perhaps to be sold at a later date. Thus, sometimes the player, in return for his autograph, might ask for a donation to his favorite charity.

Auctions are another source for autographed material. These events, whether by telephone, Internet, or live, often offer quality material. Items may also turn up at antique shops and flea mar¬kets, but questions regarding authenticity, value, condition and scarcity may occur if the seller has limited knowledge of the item.

Prices for autographed materials are set by the principles of supply and demand, based on regional interest, scarcity, condi¬tion (not faded, dirty, shellacked, smudged, scuffed, ripped), player popularity, and significance of the event commemorated. Factors for autographed basketballs and footballs also include the signature form (style, placement, nickname), type of ball and writing medium used.

Individually signed balls usually have the autograph on the sweet spot—the shortest distance between two seams. Team balls, those which should include the signatures of all the key players, starters and bench players, generally reserve the sweet spot for the manager’s signature.

The more complete the ball is with key players, the more valuable it is. It’s also easier to pinpoint the year being repre¬sented. But having other signatures, such as those of umpires and broadcasters, detracts from the value.

Some items have just select players who have signed it. These group-signed items can commemorate a particular accomplishment or event.

When examining an item for authenticity, consider the writing medium used. Was the player alive when the ink, such as in a felt-tip pen or ballpoint pen, was available? Ballpoints became prominent in the 1940s, felt tips in the 1960s and Sharpies in the 1970s. However, whatever medium is used, don’t retrace the signature.

Signatures can vary, based on the writing tool, item being signed, person’s age, popularity, health and mood, time spent during a signing session, and circumstances when it was signed. Learn the player’s signature evolution. Slant, size, char¬acters, flamboyancy, legibility and capitalization may all change during a player’s career and after.

Forgeries can sometimes be detected by uncommon breaks, peculiarities in pressure and movement in strokes, and changes in thickness in the letters.

Facsimile signatures also exist; they are exact reproductions that are printed or screened on the item, often through com¬puter-based technology. Rubber stamps and ghost writers have also been used by players to sign their mail.

Beginning collectors should become familiar with collector terminology in their area of interest. Utilize the knowledge of skilled, reputable, experienced dealers and maintain good rap¬port with them. They can be future sources in helping you build a collection.

Collections can be stored in a file cabinet or display case, with background information on the event and purchase also included. The best conditions for display cases are when effec¬tive, indirect lighting is used, so as to not damage or fade the item. The ideal temperature and humidity conditions are 65 to 70 degrees and 50 percent humidity. More valuable items can be kept in safe-deposit boxes.

It’s wise to periodically check your collection for signs of deterio¬ration, but avoid excessive handling. Restoration is best left to a professional conservator who has done that type of work before.

From Standard Catalog of Sports Memorabilia by Bert Lehman
© Sports Collectors Digest, F+W Publications Inc.