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Permalink Reply by Brad on February 22, 2012 at 1:31pm

My grandfather sold cards and comic books when I was growing up. I started with that until he bought me a Mickey Mantle autograph ball one day and I was hooked! I thought to my self Mantle actually signed this with his own hand the same hand that gripped the bat he swung! It was different from collecting cards there was no connection on a card just a picture and stats. An autograph came from there hand and for me it makes it more personal its more of a connection. Then when you have a in person autograph experience  and its a good one it keeps you going it makes you feel that connection even more and also gives you a good story to tell!! Kevin your right there is a lot of forgeries and shady people who steal hard earned money all day and dont think twice about it.  Then theres sites like this that fight back and help collectors. To someone thinking about starting in autograph collecting I would tell them its not for the faint of heart! Know what you are getting into Its not easy! Do a lot of research! Theres a good chance you will get ripped off at some point! But god its a FUN ride!! The stories I have from in person autographs will live with me forever! I take pride in getting a jackie robinson autograph because he was my grandfathers favorite player everything is connected for me and my autographs represent my life. Its easy to get frustrated in this hobby but I always try to remember its more then the scribble on the page its the meaning behind it thats what really keeps me going and always will!

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Permalink Reply by Pablo Abilez on February 24, 2012 at 9:19pm

Collecting autographs is one of the funnest, coolest, and most exciting hobbies to do.  The thrill of getting of getting a autograph in a pack and/or box of cards.  Or meeting your favorite players and/or celebrities in person and getting their autographs of which, is the greatest, most exciting thrill of all.  I first starting collecting baseball, football, and non-sport cards (a few years before you could get a autograph in a pack and/or box of cards).  Once boxes and packs starting having autographs in them, I tried buying what I could.  Eventually, the buying of sports cards became such a difficult and expensive hobby, I ended enjoying meeting and getting a player's autograph even more.  I have met and gotten autographs from Pete Rose and other retired and current Padres players.  In football, I've met and gotten autographs from Brett Swain, Marshall Faulk, Andre Reed, Trent Dilfer, and other retired and current Aztec and Charger players.  Celebrities I've met and gotten autographs from are Cindy Morgan, Bruce Boxleiter, Harry Hamlin, Ernie Hudson, Ray Park, and John Schneider.  I even collect autographs of comic book writers and artists (although there are many that don't show up often at conventions, and still elude me to this day) from various local comic book conventions (San Diego, Long Beach, Anaheim, Yorba Linda, Oceanside, and Pasadena).

 

Despite the economy, the rising gas prices, the prices for autographs, traveling distances, long lines, the waiting, and difficulty of getting autographs, what drives me to continue collecting is the excitement of meeting my favorite players and celebrities.  There are still many players, celebrities, comic book writers and artists I would like to meet.  There are just those difficulties that I just mentioned that can stand in my way (and many collectors would feel the same way).      

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Permalink Reply by Randy Perry on February 25, 2012 at 2:54pm

I started collecting almost 20 years ago. I started working in the Entertainment side of the Casino industry. My very 1st autograph was with the legend himself Tony Bennett. From that point..I was hooked. I have seen many many shows and met many performers over the years. Many of whom I obtained an in person signed photo or LP. Some of my favorites Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Milton Berle, Merv Griffin, Suzanne Somers, Duran Duran..

Then I started collecting thru the mail. My favorite person to collect on was always Farrah Fawcett.  (check out my photo albums)

As a big fan of hers I always sought to find signed pieces by her. I have many pieces signed by her. I have slowed down quite a bit..maybe obtaining 3 or 4 good ones a year..but thats it. Which is ok..because I am running out of room for them. LOL

I will continue to collect only randomly however..with someone who catches my eye or passion..

Thanks for allowing me to tell my story. Hope you enjoyed it. 

Randy

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Permalink Reply by David Jackson on March 2, 2012 at 7:28am

For me its a connection to history and the past.  I collect mostly older baseball items from the 1950's era.  I was never alive then and there is a certain nostalgia about that time period in American history.  It makes me think of a simpler more innocent America and a society that is not as rushed as what we are today.  A time when Americans celebrated their young sons home from wars and didnt take one minute of life for granted. A time when your word was your bond.  Things were built with style and class, and service was TRULY service.  So for me the autographs I collect from that time period or legends that played during it are a way for me to take a trip back with them.  I also feel a sense of responsibility to pieces, to preserve them and tell their story.  What were they doing that day they signed a piece? Where was it signed?  Its just amazing to think that with vintage pieces its like a moment from the past froze in time forever and we have a key to unlock it.

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Permalink Reply by CEE GEE on March 2, 2012 at 9:05am

This is a great subject right here...there seems to be family ties for the most part in why we collect...My uncle was a huge comic collector from the old days when comics where pure art and under a dollar to own what is now for the most part his collection is worth thousands...He has the original spider man comics and some of the other great pieces from that time period from the 50s-60s...I started collecting comics first and although it really is not my focus of passion at all any more I still drool over certain books that bring you back to your child hood that's graded and hung on the wall in my local collectible shop...As we all know cards and comics go basically hand and hand in this industry and started also collecting baseball cards...once I started moving away from comics and books this was now about 1983-1985...Growing up as a Yankee fan and living in NYC my whole life there has been some wild times dating back to the 70s but once the Mets where in it to win it and it was such a huge deal at the time Mookie Wilson was signing autographs for free in the local mall...I went with my brother and just got a piece of paper signed...although I don't have it anymore and it was a pretty crumbing thing to have signed but I would give up my left arm to have it back because it is what basically started me on the autographs them self...later down the road as I got older the cards where being randomly inserted into packs in the 90's up until today...I started gambling on getting pieces in packs but came to realize  as a Yankees fan the chances of getting a pin stripe auto was slim to none as I never pulled any...but it started to become wildly popular...I strayed away from the comics and started getting autos full time...once ebay was on the rise and it was much easier to pick the item I wanted instead of hopping I would get a good pull...I starting getting addicted to auctions instead of anything when at the time the fakes and the crooks where at there peak of robbing people and they got me for few bad pieces which in this hobby is nearly impossible to NOT get burned...then all the great legends like Mantle and Dimaggio passed and I knew I had to start going to in person shows and meeting these guys in person and stop getting burned by fakes and that is what I began to do...I wish I was able to meet Ted Williams but he was just to old at that point and never came around my area but I was lucky enough to obtain his auto before he passed and the prices went up and up...this also sparked the rise of Steiner Sports in the late 90's which was a great out let to meet these legends in person as I started and still do living what is basically 15 miles from there east coast and I think only outlet...plus also starting to write TTM's...but first with meeting Don Larsen...Joe Montana...Yogi Berra...Phil Rizzutto...and then some other guys like Rivera...Mookie Wilson and Bill Buckner and several others....I knew this was the way to do it and although I still purchase autos  from auctions and in store collections I started leaning towards getting them in person at shows...hotels...and ball parks...It is a heart pumping thrill when you get that close to a guy that you watched or witnessed break a record or hit that memorable home run and to actually shake the hand of these guys and get a photo and an auto to me it does not get any better then that...to own a piece of these guys with just a simple stroke of a pen or marker and to look at it on a certain image or item or child hood card is just something that if you don't have the passion like we all do is almost impossible to explain...I have met so many great athleathes and celebrities in my life but I have to admit when I met Hank Aaron about 3 weeks ago I was just star struck to say the least...Shaking the hand of the guy that broke Babe Ruths home run record !?!?!?!...for any baseball autograph collector I don't think it gets better then that...I don't think for me personally it ever will...what a insane experience...

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Permalink Reply by kevin conway on March 9, 2012 at 8:12pm

Some great stories !!

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Duncan on March 31, 2012 at 6:44am

I collect Rock and Roll Memorabilia/Autographs because I am fascinated with anything having to do will classic rock music.  To have a signature from them/to say I have "met" them, is such an incredible thrill.

www.rockandrollcollection.com

Stephen

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