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Permalink Reply by Xwiesy on March 12, 2014 at 6:12am

I'd say it's more to do with the economy- people arent going to demand something when they have less discretionary income. Also, the number of fakes and getting burned time and time again...

I dont think social media has a thing to do with it...

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Permalink Reply by Mykaphobic on March 12, 2014 at 6:51am

I actually see it as a bonus. The 1st week I had twitter I gained 2 pairs of signed shoes direct from basketball players after writing to them on twitter.
Also picked up a couple of signed CDs direct from artists via twitter.

I have also had conversations with athletes while showing them a signed item I have of them.

And when I see a celebrity in person I'm not taking a picture of them just standing there. I will be asking of a photo together or taking a photo of them while they are signing for me :)

So social media hasn't killed the autograph for me. It has enhanced it.

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Permalink Reply by Null on March 12, 2014 at 7:10am

The way I look at it, is when you run into a celebrity/athlete you now have 2 options:

1. Get the autograph

2. Get the picture

Very rarely do you have time for both. (Now if no one is around, or if it's a private signing this may not apply.)

I go for the autograph, but most of my friends could care less about a pen scribble and would rather have a picture with the person. To each his own. 

I don't think social media is killing the autograph, when I get an auto I still tweet/instagram a pic of it just like I would if I got a picture with the person. 

Also, if "autographs were dead", then these forgers wouldn't be pumping them out left and right like they still do. There also wouldn't be lines/fights at Spring Training for them, etc. 

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Permalink Reply by Rick Meyer on March 12, 2014 at 9:22am

There are many celebs that do worse yet their autographs still in high demand.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 12, 2014 at 8:20am

Really not a very good or informed article.  I see social media as having minimal if any effect on autograph collecting.  It's a different form of interacting with celebrities, but it doesn't render personal interaction (including asking for an autograph) obsolete. 

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