Growing this hobby, the professional way

As one who has been active in (historical and political) autographs for many years, it amazes me that there has not been a decent influx of young collectors into our hobby. The political scene is giving us constant reminders of our country's history via references to our U.S. Constitution and Founding Fathers. With the diminishing trust in the stock market and people trying to find constructive ways to spend some of their hard earned money, what better avenue than putting just a portion of their disposable cash in historical/political autographs!

I am not advocating an investment strategy (as this is speculative).......but then again, in this economy what financial vehicle is not speculative. The stock market is becoming more like Las Vegas. The gold market is getting a bit scary. The real estate market....need I say more. Oh, and CDs? z-z-z-z-z-z

It would be great if we can get a few long term dealers and collectors to extol the enjoyment and positives of collecting historical autographs via a lecture circuit. Imagine encouraging people to save money through buying a set of presidents! What a great way to find a challenging, enlightening way to build a collection and thus possibly increase one's net worth/savings.

Imagine the thrill and enjoyment people would get assembling a nice collection of individuals they admire and revere!

Just a thought

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Comment by john reznikoff on September 19, 2010 at 7:02pm: I believe the UACC has a speakers circuit?

Comment by Rick Badwey on September 19, 2010 at 7:35pm: It would be great to take an active role

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on September 19, 2010 at 9:30pm: Rick, I love your blog post!

Autograph collecting is a great hobby and can be rewarding on so many levels, whether you collect historical autographs or rock and roll. While getting the word out about forgeries is very important, I am concerned that the focus on them on this site is overshadowing the positive information that is shared here—and we need more of it. You're a great writer with lots to share, and I hope you'll contribute regularly here.

John is right, the UACC has a speaker's bureau headed by David Grossberg. I'm sure David would be more than thrilled to have you on board. Email me for his contact info or open any Pen & Quill and you'll find it there. I just checked their Web site and unfortunately his email isn't listed.

BTW, I really enjoyed your blog post on framing. Very well done—and important.

Comment by Rick Badwey on September 20, 2010 at 4:28am: Thanks Steve I would like the contact when you have time. The problem with the UACC speakers bureau is no one knows about it. It is like having a business but not getting the word out and wondering why things are not happening. We need to somehow advertise it or get an officer or speaker to make calls to appropriate groups to discuss this great hobby.

Although sports collecting is popular, a lot of people would be amazed at how affordable a signature of Madison or other early figure is. Non collectors dont just stumble on ebay or the internet looking to start. They hear about it or encounter an experience to grab their interest, and they are hooked!

By the way, with autographs, unlike other instruments, you can actually display and enjoy your piece for years to come....and build a strategic collection!

THis may sound weird, but why not get a mailing going to a certain area (esp one not experiencing the recession) like DC or NY? Do a mailing almost like Investment Planners do one with a lunch tied to it.

Speakers can discuss the fun, excitement, displaying and acquiring aspects of the field.

Comment by Tricia Eaton on September 23, 2010 at 7:00pm: Rick,

I like your post! Autographs can definitely be a good investment. I think that there needs to be a real passion behind the collecting though. It's a funny thing how to someone a Marilyn Monroe SP can be worth $20,000 yet to many people off the street they wouldn't understand why. As a "young" collector myself I can say that it's the love of autographs that drives me instead of the money aspect.

- Tricia

Comment by Rick Badwey on September 23, 2010 at 7:06pm: Tricia, I try not to categorize these as investments because that is a dangerous philosophy. I am just saying that knowledge in this field goes a long way (versus competing against the big guys in the stock market, etc.) and can even be more enjoyable and educational. Once you get the bug and buy correctly, you would be amazed at what a small fortune you could accumulate.

Comment by Jeff Browne on June 30, 2011 at 5:45am: You are definitely on the right track here, but there is something to be said about this new generation.

First of all I strongly agree with you that young collectors would be ideal to the business and community which would in turn make it grow substantially, but the problem lies with the ages in my opinion. Political and historical autographs and collections have been a foundation for collectors in past generations, but no longer are younger collectors interested in that route. Most collections in this field are passed down through generations, not collected.

This generation of younger collectors seems to want to invest their money and time collecting into the sports field. It appeals much more and that is why you see that field of the autograph business substantially growing and making moves. Kids start collecting at a much younger age with autographed baseball cards or balls and build their collections that way. You don't see many younger collectors bragging about their autographed portrait of Harry Truman.

Although continuing to teach younger collectors about the extreme importance of political and historical collections can be an ideal first step in helping this business continue to grow!