Autograph Collecting, Memorabilias, and Authentication

I share my thoughts on how to get autographs from players, TTM autographs, and purchasing online.  These are just some of the ways I have obtained most of my collection.  Also the importance of authentication in this hobby.

Lets start off with the old fashion way, in person autographs.  Nowadays, you can go to shows that have current and former athletes who sign for a fee. Some are pretty reasonable prices while others are out of this world.  The more popular and the more rare the more expensive.  Always remember that because if your getting a "to good of a deal", it may not be authentic.

If you're  going to a game always bring something easy for the players to sign. A baseball, ticket stub, picture or even a baseball card.   My favorite autograph obtained was of course Derek Jeter, but I've been lucky a few times to get others.  Here are some of the things I got autographed while at a Yankees game.

I got to ask Jeter for an autograph which is really rare to get one like this.

One small word of advice.  Always use a regular ballpoint pen for autographs on baseballs.













This is now what this ball looks like because I used a sharpie.

As you can see the sharpie tends to run its ink as time goes by.

Johnny Damon I think is one of the nicest guys out there.  He will always try to sign for the fans.

The best way to get these autographs are the following:

-Get to the stadium as early as you can.  Players tend to sign more during warm ups and batting practice then any other time.  They will never sign during a game and rarely sign after.

-Look around and see where the players are entering and leaving the field, I hang out by the dugout because no matter who it is, its the only way back in.

-Be polite when asking.  These guys will not sign if your rude and pushy.

-Never throw anything at them to sign, unless they tell you or made eye contact with them.  You'll lose your chance at an autograph and so will the other people around you.

-Don't be greedy.  They know if they signed something for you already.

-Finally, say thank you.

While I'm sure I will not be selling any of my stuff in the near future at least I can be sure that it was pass authenticity when the time comes.  Here are some places that will authenticate your autographs.

Professional Sports Authenticator

James Spence Authentication

Now the next type is TTM or through the mail autographs.  This aspect of collecting is limited to what you can get signed.  Some guys have a fee or request donations for their charities and some do it for free.

All you need are the following:

-Address of the players ( you can send it to the team address or if your look it up their home address on different website that may provide them).
-Self addressed stamped envelope( so that they can return it to you)
-item to be signed ( usually a baseball card is best. Very simple and cheap to ship).
-and of course the stamp.
Right now, it would probably cost you a total of $1.80 excluding the card you put it.

Always remember that once you ship it, there is a high probability that you will not get it back but there have been occasions where you will be get a nice surprise.




















Best time to send them out is before or during spring training.  Players have more time and less stress during this time.


And finally the most expensive is purchasing online or memorabilia stores.  This is probably the trickier ones if you do not purchase from a reputable place, but if you do purchase always get a COA "certificate of authenticity" from one of the mentioned above.  Always be careful when purchasing from eBay, cause there have been a few sellers who have tried to trick and sell people who do not have knowledge in collecting.  Here is a sample of a "COA"

My favorite website or company is Steiner Sports.  They may be expensive but at least your getting good quality on your purchase.

steinersports.com

Whatever the reason for your collection, personal, investment, buy and sell, make sure you do your research to make sure you are getting what you paid for.

Here are some pics of my personal collection.

Leave a comment  or question.

Derek Jeter 3K and 15 games beyond...

The DEREK JETER 3K documentary by HBO premeires tonight. 

Fifteen games after he became the 28^th player in history to join the 3000 club the hype continues.  As a Jeter fan, I will enjoy seeing this aspect of jeter’s life that he has protected through his 15 year career.   This will further help the sales of every DJ3K product in the market which we will discuss as another topic.  From autograph balls, t-shirts and other apparel things will continue to sell as they continue to market DJ3K.  Here is the link for the documentary.

 Derek Jeter 3K

Now as for his performance on the field since becoming  Mr. 3000 has not really changed.  He’s 14 for his last 55 AB which comes to a .260 batting average.  Everyone was hoping that he starts hitting or at least become a 300 hitter again but doesn’t seem like it. Out of the 14 hits, 3 have been for extra base hits.  He has become more productive with runners in scoring position so that is an upside.  He has 10 RBIs in the last 14 games.  Many Yankees fan will be happy with production like this.  There so much criticism about where he bats, his fielding, lack of production but people need to realize that for a 37 year old shortstop, he’s still being a productive yankee.  As Brian Cashman stated before, Jeter is there BEST option at shortstop. 

For the criticism to stop, he and the Yankees will need to win another World Series with him as a starting shortstop.

Is that really the standings?

As you will find out when following me on this blog, that I am a NY Yankees fan! Ive been watching for years since i was a kid in  the 80's. Left the team in '86 to jump on the bandwagon of that other team in NY.  After my favorite Mets player was traded, I found myself changing the channel from WOR 9 to WPIX.  Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't jumping on any bandwagon at that point cause the Yankees had a record of 71-90 that year.  So things eventually changed, as we all know that the Yankees had a great dynasty in the late 90's-2000. With that said, I bring up the topic that has a buzz going.  The Pittsburgh Pirates, YES, the Pirates are only 1.5 games behind in their division.

Now it could be just luck that the Brewers and Cardinals are not playing a level where everyone is expecting them to play but it is baseball.  You can look good on paper but once your on that field its a whole different story.  Last year, they started to make some noise.  As i watch MLB network and Baseball Tonight, I start to see and hear these new names coming from these "analyst".  Names like McCutchen, Tabata, Hanrahan, Maholm, and Karstens.  I'm far from saying these guys will be 2011 World Champs but if things continue the way they are going these Pirates will be making some serious noise in a few seasons.  A season with three All-Stars may soon be more than you would have thought.

With that said, turn on a Pirates game and give them a look.  You'll be surprised on what you see.

New Venture...

If your like me, and you read blogs about anything and everything you definitely want to stick around and follow us. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on this venture. Jayare and I are just two guys who are great friends but we find ourselves debating on almost everything. I'm a Yankees fan and he's the other New York team fan. I find things one way, he finds it the opposite, he loves cheese and well you get the point. Probably opposites but thats good for a blogging venture. Our topics aren't just one type or category but topics of everything we feel like discussing, reviewing, commenting or informing. It's anything that a typical non-celebrity young guy can think of or come cross. So hopefully you guys will enjoy and continue to read. You can follow Jayare at freshdeluxe.blogspot.com