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Inscriptions or Less?

There was once a time when celebrities would be happy to add an inscription to an autograph. Many times, I have asked for a famous quotation or statistic to be added, and many times the celebrity would be pleased to do so. They are typically very excited to meet a collector who is familiar with their accomplishments and work.

Inscriptions have become more popular. Unfortunately, they have also become more expensive. The days of celebrities adding free inscriptions have become rare over the years. I recently paid Don Mattingly to add HIT MAN to my custom New York Yankees baseball jersey.

My Don Mattingly autographed custom New York Yankees baseball jersey. I hope to add three more inscriptions to it in the future.

I often wonder if less is more when adding inscriptions to autographs. The appearance of a single autograph on an item may present much nicer than an item that contains a lot of ink. Do you prefer inscriptions? If so, how many are too many?

1 member likes this

Comment by Eric Keith Longo on May 28, 2021 at 4:23pm: Yes! Always. Here is one of my favorites:

Comment by Eddy on May 28, 2021 at 4:54pm: Inscriptions are just dandy! Love the Swanson above from Eric.

Here's one of my favorites....inscription and all:

Comment by Eric Keith Longo on May 28, 2021 at 5:11pm: Thanks - here is another:

Comment by Eddy on May 28, 2021 at 5:34pm: Great!

Comment by Joe W. on May 28, 2021 at 5:49pm: I personally believe more writing on a piece assists in determining authenticity. Pertinent inscriptions add interest to the piece. Personalizations, to most collectors, seem to hurt overall value but I don't mind them at all. Sometimes who a signed piece is dedicated to can become an interesting side story. I actually find pieces signed "To Joe" very cool!

Comment by Rich on May 28, 2021 at 6:26pm: If you're talking sports stars, those are the most problematic when it comes to inscriptions. For a while, they were really the only ones charging an arm and a leg to add a couple legible words to what are mostly ugly scribbles. It was rarely a problem for celebs at conventions to add anything extra you wanted, though it seems like in some circles that is changing a bit (with certain private signings). Musicians, if not mobbed, are usually fine writing whatever you want. It's the athletes who are the worst offenders. But sports autograph collecting seems to have taken on a completely different life of its own the past 20-25 years.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on May 28, 2021 at 7:00pm: Eric, those autographed photos are incredible, particularly the Gloria Swanson. Thank you for sharing.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on May 28, 2021 at 7:05pm: I completely agree, Joe W. My dream piece would be a personalized Steven Spielberg autograph. I would never sell it, so the more ink, the better.

Comment by Mike Shepherd on May 28, 2021 at 7:13pm: Absolutely, Rich. The private signings are particularly difficult. I am still hopeful that Al Pacino will be willing to add a personalization at a private signing one day. Thanks for the comment.