Why are inserts a bad thing?

Just curious why everyone seems to dislike CDs, albums, DVDs etc. that have inserts with autographs vs. having the actual item autographed. Why would an autograph on an insert be any less valuable than on the product itself? Is it because you, generally , have to open the product to get the insert out for display? Or some other reason? Thanks!

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MikeEarmantraut on December 8, 2024 at 8:51pm

Some people don't find them as valuable because some inserts are mass produced,small or thin/low quality, which isn't as good as a signed vinyl jacket obviously, but it's still an autograph so it's better than them not having signed options.

They are more affordable most of the time also which is a big plus.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mindfreek on December 9, 2024 at 10:16pm

Thanks Mike. I guess I just look at it as an autograph Regardless of what it’s on. I have autographs on concert, tickets and magazine covers and drumsticks. Frankly, some of the most legible autographs that I own are on CD or record inserts. I haven’t found the quality to be poor in the autographs are helping me round out my collection. as you also pointed out, they aren’t that expensive either. I feel more confident buying a CD or LP autograph direct from the artist website even if it’s on an insert. These days, you don’t know what you’re getting from eBay or other sites where you can purchase autographs. It’s so easy to copy them anymore.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MikeEarmantraut on December 10, 2024 at 10:10am

Yeah an autograph is an autograph to me, if it's from a person I don't have I'll likely pick it up if authentic. I don't mind too much of what it's on, I have some small items like signed trading cards or inserts that I own but they got full neat signatures which I tend to look for.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich on December 9, 2024 at 7:26am

Both fans and collectors tend to dislike them in contrast to signed covers. With CDs it's probably less an issue, unless it's a low quality and/or tiny insert (I mean, is an insert really that much worse than a signed flimsy booklet?), but with vinyl they seem to elicit more groans. I'm somewhere in between on them. I mean, some are cheap, thin stock copies of the album art that might be bent up just in the packing process. Others are decent quality and actually easier to frame/store than signed vinyl.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mindfreek on December 9, 2024 at 10:20pm

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Rich. As I noted above, I don’t mind an insert. The autograph is the same size as it would be if it was on a larger. format background like an album cover. I haven’t seen a real issue with quality in the ones that I have purchased. I just got a beautiful Joan Armatrading autograph on a CD insert. I got the Coldplay autographs on their most recent release and a number of others that I’m very satisfied with. They all appear to be real versus auto pen and I have them displayed nicely on my wall. No complaints. I just wondered if there was something else that I was missing in terms of solid reasons not to purchase autographs in these formats. Thanks again.