TTM: Best place for addresses?
riccaboni
Posts: 454 ✭
Hey guys,
Was reading through the Topps AA TTM thread and was getting pretty inspired to start TTM'ing again. The last response I got was in 2003 when a Chipper Jones card I sent out in 1998 was finally returned and signed. Needless to say, I had completely forgotten about it but was very pleasantly surprised to have it arrive in the mail. I have had success with various players from various sports, but that was back in 1998. I was 11, and wrote like I was 9. The players who actually read my letters probably returned the cards signed out of pitty.
I want to start doing it again, and have the motivation to write out all of the envelopes, insert the cards, etc. but I just can't think of what to write. Am I honest about my intentions (personal collection) or do I create a greater goal (maybe focus on a set)? And how do I go about the addresses? I heard retired stars are the way to go, but the only time I ever mailed anything was c/o teams. Let's say I want to put together, for instance, a 1987 Topps set, autographed for the year I was born (lord forbid I would do this; one of the ugliest sets ever, I'd probably focus on the 1989 Topps set in all honesty). Or should I go for the index card route? Where should I start? Anyone willing to PM me their success and failure lists? BTW, I used to love that TuffStuff section as a kid where they chronicled their TTM stuff; it was great. I'm really excited to do this now but need a direction.
Just need a good kick in the rear and some advice to get me started; I have the rest of the summer to do this
-Ian
Was reading through the Topps AA TTM thread and was getting pretty inspired to start TTM'ing again. The last response I got was in 2003 when a Chipper Jones card I sent out in 1998 was finally returned and signed. Needless to say, I had completely forgotten about it but was very pleasantly surprised to have it arrive in the mail. I have had success with various players from various sports, but that was back in 1998. I was 11, and wrote like I was 9. The players who actually read my letters probably returned the cards signed out of pitty.
I want to start doing it again, and have the motivation to write out all of the envelopes, insert the cards, etc. but I just can't think of what to write. Am I honest about my intentions (personal collection) or do I create a greater goal (maybe focus on a set)? And how do I go about the addresses? I heard retired stars are the way to go, but the only time I ever mailed anything was c/o teams. Let's say I want to put together, for instance, a 1987 Topps set, autographed for the year I was born (lord forbid I would do this; one of the ugliest sets ever, I'd probably focus on the 1989 Topps set in all honesty). Or should I go for the index card route? Where should I start? Anyone willing to PM me their success and failure lists? BTW, I used to love that TuffStuff section as a kid where they chronicled their TTM stuff; it was great. I'm really excited to do this now but need a direction.
Just need a good kick in the rear and some advice to get me started; I have the rest of the summer to do this
-Ian
0
Comments
One of my stalled projects is getting the 1990 Leaf set signed. I have abot 40%. There are a couple of guys out there nearly complete, and they are holding on to a ton of dupes for trading. That sets looks absolutely dyn-o-mite signed. The kicker to this set is that Kelly Gruber of all people will not sign that card.
<< <i>One of my stalled projects is getting the 1990 Leaf set signed. I have abot 40%. There are a couple of guys out there nearly complete, and they are holding on to a ton of dupes for trading. That sets looks absolutely dyn-o-mite signed. The kicker to this set is that Kelly Gruber of all people will not sign that card. >>
That's not a bad idea; I'm sure wax has gotten cheaper now that Sosa has cooled off and it's a solid set with a few Ryans and a couple HOFs. It'd be neat to try it and I have some busted wax of that already from a few years ago. Hmm...
Oh, by the way, why won't Gruber sign the card? I'm not particularly familiar with his 1990 Leaf issue.
Play On....
Thanks guys!
-Ian
<< <i>
One of my stalled projects is getting the 1990 Leaf set signed. I have abot 40%. There are a couple of guys out there nearly complete, and they are holding on to a ton of dupes for trading. That sets looks absolutely dyn-o-mite signed. The kicker to this set is that Kelly Gruber of all people will not sign that card. >>
Any idea behind the reason for Gruber's resistance?
<< <i>Go spend the $15.00 and sign up at sportscollectors.net. It's one of the best resources on the net for addresses. >>
I second sportscollector.net plus buy Meiselman's address guide. It's the best $33 I ever spent.
Regards,
Greg M.
References:
Onlychild, Ahmanfan, fabfrank, wufdude, jradke, Reese, Jasp, thenavarro
E-Bay id: greg_n_meg
-Ian
<< <i>Do a search online, most of the addresses in thebooks are pretty easily available online, may take a little while but you could use that 33.00 for stamps. >>
I disagree. At least spend the $15.00 for sportscollectors.net. You can see what a players signing habits are and you can also track what you mailed out to who and when it came back or didn't come back. It's a great site with a ton of members. If you are serious about TTM it's a cheap investment in my opinion.
As I said most of that same information is available for free online. Usually when you find a site with the information, it tells about their signing habits and everything.
link
This one popped up real quick with a little extra looking I could find more. The most recent (2005) published guide also had Joe Adock's address in it, he has been dead for 3 years. All the published and pay sites do is search the web and other information centers and put it altogether. All the information they sell you is public information. As far as the signing habits there are websites that deal with that too.
Why spend money for something you can get for free???
Adam B.
<< <i>Again why pay for something when you can get it legally for free with a little work. >>
Maybe money is that big of an issue for you but for me it comes down to saving time and having it all in one place.
As I said we can agree to disagree ok!
Its not about the money, I just do not see why you would want to pay for something that is just taken from the free sources online, but then I am a research fanatic I am always wanting to learn something new.
If you find the right site it will give you everything that is in the books or on the pay sites in one place that is updated monthly instead of yearly.
I am looking for that old site I found that had hundreds of thousands of addresses, and information on the signing habit of everyone on it. It was updated monthly and was free.
<< <i>If you find the right site it will give you everything that is in the books or on the pay sites in one place that is updated monthly instead of yearly. >>
Well the site I use is updated daily by one of the 15,000 members that are on it so for me the $15.00 is worth it. I'm sure your response will be that you can find it online for free so can we just let this one die. It's starting to sound like a broken record.
I'll keep you posted on how these turn out,
-Ian