Have professional in-person collectors ruined collecting for true fans?

What's your opinion on the in-person collectors that graph for the sake of selling them onwards. Has it stopped true fans from having their stars sign autographs for them? I'm just asking myself is it even a hobby anymore with all the fuss competing with people for autographs, it seem pretty chaotic with some of the footage you see, people trying to graph when artist are in their cars. In the 90's from what ive read it was fairly casual affair for ip collecting, even if you were to sell a few, your not the worst person in the world. I've purchased a few things of ip collectors, but not a great deal, I'm just saying I'm not any better than anyone else.

Any thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Rich on October 17, 2016 at 1:30pm

On the topic of quality, I find that pros almost inevitable go for volume over quality. In some instances, this doesn't present a problem - especially if they artist always has a less than stellar signature. But in some cases, I find that the money-seeking collector ends up with a far lesser product than an actual fan. I've noticed that with Florence Welch, sllers are almost inevitably sentenced to a crap sig, whereas if you're an actual fan (and obviously so) with a nicer than average item, you actually have a shot at a full signature.

I saw some reputable IP sellers offering one of my favorite singers - Birdy - on Ebay and on their websites. What I saw for sale was kind of disappointing, as she used to sign beautifully in her early teens. This is what I expected to get from her if I met her at all - pro autographer examples below:

Oh well. That happens when more an more when a celeb gets a bit more famous and gets asked for their autograph more, right?

Well - my friend and I found out that if you're actually a fan and go to a show and get there early (or stay late), here's what you get.

This is what my friend (first in line in Detroit) got.

Here's what I got the next day in Chicago, after waiting about an hour post show:

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Permalink Reply by Paul on October 17, 2016 at 1:44pm

There's a huge difference.

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Permalink Reply by Xwiesy on October 18, 2016 at 5:11am

Inthink Steve is spot on. The only exception I would make is where supply is limited.

Something like a signed Bob Dylan LP- you aren't going to get many chances at a perfect one.

When there are 5 or so known examples, being picky can cost you.

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Permalink Reply by OK_Android on October 18, 2016 at 2:00pm

There's no doubt that greed ruined it for a lot of people, I mean look at Ringo's stance on autographs now. I can't blame the guy either. It's not just IP either, its TTM as well. It is now impossible to get a James Earl Jones sig ttm because people have abused his generosity by sending him 15 things to get signed.

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Permalink Reply by william on October 18, 2016 at 3:03pm

It also spoils it like persons like me on a very limited income.I'm thinking of getting out of collecting altogether.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on October 18, 2016 at 2:30pm

I wont be surprised if Jack white pulls the pin on signing except for store promo's, anything the dealers pick up ends up on ebay, which is great if you need a white graph.