Autographs should be cheaper WITH a personalized inscription!

jrinck

One thing that autograph signers seem not to like is when they suspect someone is just going to turn around and sell the autograph for a profit. One way to devalue an autograph, however, is to put a personalized inscription on it, like "To John..." for example.

But the autographs cost MORE for inscriptions, so most people might not go for them even if they'd otherwise want to.

So if a signer would offer a discount for a personalized inscription, he or she would know that the person getting the autograph is less likely to turn around and sell it, so the signer could be somewhat at ease, and maybe even be a little friendlier to the requestor.

So instead of charging, say, $10 EXTRA for an inscription, maybe they could charge $10 LESS.

At the very least, maybe just have Willie Mays do this. He seems to be grumpy all the time about signing, and this might help to put him at ease.

milbroco

You are absolutely correct! They should be cheaper!

Back in the mid 1980's I used to go to Phillies games with cards of the visiting team and got autographs after the game when the players were going to their team bus. Most of the time the players would sign but some would not and even remarked about us collectors selling them. One player who did sign asked my name before he signed for me and then personalized the card "To Bob, Ray Burris". That was really cool.
Best of luck,
Bob

Estil

I know Hall of Fame-Elect Cal Ripken Jr was know not only for being probably THE best signer in the game, but also always asked everyone where they wanted him to sign their items. Any other players do that?

storm888

"You are absolutely correct! They should be cheaper!"

///////////////////////////////////////////

An exception to this rule falls into this category:

A famous player/person signs an item "to" another famous player/person.

eg: "From Mickey Mantle to/for Joe DiMaggio," or vice versa.

eg: "From Dick Nixon to/for Elvis."