General Forum

I used to collect in person autos of cricketers and rugby players here in New Zealand as a kid. Never did the mail thing though — don't think the thought ever crossed my mind.

Got a few All Blacks (rugby) and Black Caps (cricket) and even some of the cricketers on cards. Most are just on (very faded) paper.

The "best" ones I got (and the names wont mean much to most) were from the same test — All Blacks v France 1994 at Lancaster Park. Jonah Lomu (RIP) on debut and Phillepe Sella in his 100th test (first man to achieve this). The only let down is they are on a scrap of paper rather than the programme! I now have the paper folded in the programme but it is not quite the same. 

I love collecting player autographs. Used to get a bunch at the stadium after games in the parking lot when I was younger, have participated in public and private (mail-in) signings, and have gotten a TON through the mail. TTMs are a great way to spend the winter months and getting a card back in the mail unexpectedly is super fun. You send out a bunch and when you get your little return enevelope it's almost like opening a pack to find out who sent it back. I've collected autographs of every player who had appeared in a game for the Brewers through the end of the 2018 season. Still need a few guys who debuted last season. Agree with a previous poster that I can't recommend sportscollectors.net enough. The $15/year is the best $15 you can spend on a hobby website as the tracking and access to addresses and private signings is amazing. 

I use to be into the autographs but not so much anymore.

I have quite a lot of Nascar Driver's autigraph from the early 90's 

I use to work for the Carolina Hurricanes and have a whole hockey binder full of autographed cards from about 2005-2012. I use to really value them but not so much anymore. Hockey and Nascar were both passing fancies for me....but baseball remains my true passion but honestly I am past the autograph collecting stage.  

i have a few i've collected over the years, nascar champions and hall of famers, daytona 500 champions, world series champion, baseball hall of famer, super bowl champion, super bowl mvp and hall of famer, #1 pop singer, actor from academy award best picture winner, and american idol finalist.  all these were collected in person.  i hope didn't leave anyone out.  i also have mark fidrych that a co-worker got me when i was unable to attend the card show that day. the only thing i can think of that i purchased is a bowling pin featuring several bowlers, including hall of famers.  i won't name drop, well unless prompted, lol

I like collecting pack issued autographs. I've gotten a few in person, but not all that many. I had Steve Kinser sign a windshield for a model of his 1995 Winston Cup car, still have not finished the model yet. Got the signature in 2008. I met 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope and got his autograph at the New York International Auto Show last year. Got a lot of Monster Truck drivers in the late 80s and early 90s, the biggest names being Dennis Anderson and Dan Runte, got a photo with Lyle Hancock. Have a poster personally signed and addressed to me by Andy Brass, who later ran one race in NASCAR. 

At a comic show a few years back I asked Fred Hembeck for an auto and even got a self-portrait sketch! I also got a signture from Todd DeZago and Charles Barnett. 

As a general rule, I do not like autographs that are on cards not intended for autographs. I just don't like the aesthetic of people signing over their face. 

I have sent two TTMs, one of which was returned. Stanton Barrett, NASCAR driver and Hollywood stuntman. The one that was not returned was Rik Smits from the NBA. I've been waiting since 1997. If he ever reads this and is still holding on to it, I'd still be able to get it if you sent it to that address! 

I've never actually met any NBA or NHL players in person. 

I have been debating on trying again just for the heck of it. But who? I'm extremely distantly related to Kevin Love- 21st cousin, you'd have to go back to the 1300s to find our common ancestor- but I have thought about him. Not sure if the Beach Boys sign through the mail, I believe I read Brian Wilson doesn't...they'd also be a consideration. (And the Wilsons, of course, are also distantly related)

However, my favorite IP auto experience was when I met Bogi and Faye last September. They seem cool on TV, but they are even nicer in person. They don't have any cards issued but they signed one of my buisness cards I had printed up and a poster. 

I like AU'd stuff and I have all kinds of them. IP's, TTM's, pack-pulled/certified (both on-card and sticker AU's) and IP's acquired by someone else who was thinking of me when they got the signature. Most are athletes but I also have some local TV personalities and the Carolina Panthers NFL HOF Superfan "Catman". I HAVE paid for some of my AU's: mostly certified cards but also a few signed photos with COA's. I also paid for a meet-and-greet with NFL WR Ricky Proehl.

I do it from time to time, I've been trying to get a different Brewers Player for every year.  I just got one back a couple weeks ago, Mark Loretta, which closed out the 90's for me and now I have a different player on a Topps card from 1971-1999 and then a few after that.

https://collectorscrack.blogspot.com/2020/02/ttm-success-mark-loretta.html

https://collectorscrack.blogspot.com/p/brewers-ttm-project.html

There are a bunch of publications you can buy and websites that have addresses and success rates.  I like to use the TTM Manager over at Sport Card Forum.  While not that complete it is free and lets you see if a player you're interested in signs and what they success rate is.

https://www.sportscardforum.com/scfttmm/ttmm/welcome

You paid the shipping to get mine :) 

Seriously, thanks for including  me on the list. First time I've ever been on a list with Colin Powell that I'm aware of. I just scanned my entire card collection of him earlier this week.

As a kid I wrote to Jerry Rice, Teemu Selanne and Tony Amonte. I got two cards signed by Amonte, a signed picture of Teemu and a "signed" picture of Jerry Rice(looks like it's just printed on.) Everything else I have has been purchased except for one auto, my absolute favorite. I have a signed Wally Bell baseball.

Wally was my mom's cousin and was an MLB umpire. When he started he was only in the NL which sucked for me cause I'm a White Sox and we went to alot of Cubs games as a kid when he was in town. Later the MLB changed things up and umps started doing both leagues so we got to see him do some Sox games. He poked fun at me once after he ejected Joe Crede from a game since he knew I was a Crede fan. Wally was a great guy. Sadly he passed away during the MLB playoffs in October of 2013. I will forever cherish the ball he signed for me when I was 11 years old. Miss you Uncle Wally!!

The information and great stories threaded were fascinating. This is what makes this such a neat hobby. You can learn new stuff everyday. 

However, I wish a few of you "autograph rookies", would try using my list just for "kicks". So again with that in mind.....Anybody, have a handful of names to try [1994 and before], [any sport]? It would just take 2 stamps?

PM me a list or email me at BOBSCARDZ@aol.com.

It might also open an ongoing Autograph post, "Look what came today?"  lol.

Always having fun collecting. TCDB IS THE BEST