Personalized autograph VS Non-personalized autograph

austinchau · February 25, 2009 9:42AM

Would a personalized autograph value significantly less than a non-personalized ones?

Thanks,
Austin

PoppaJ · February 25, 2009 9:50AM

Hi Austin,

I'd say generally yes, but there are exceptions. One exception might be if the personalized item's signature is much better than a non-personalized one.

I've seen Babe Ruth single-signed balls that sold for far less than one's that he personalized just because his signature was much bolder and more legible.

I'm sure others can add to this.

PoppaJ

tennesseebanker · February 25, 2009 9:50AM

yes, personalized ones sell somewhat cheaper than ones not.
Personally I have no preference, As I see the value in getting more writing from the player for less money.

tennesseebanker · February 25, 2009 9:53AM

I think autos that are signed "Best Wishes" and "Good Luck" or whatever inscription dont bring the price down as much as one signed to another person, Like John,Barry, or To Rube from Jenna Jameson.

yankeeno7 · February 25, 2009 9:59AM

There is no DNA certification available for Jenna. She has too much of others mixed with hers. You'll never be able to tell if its hers or not.

alifaxwa2 · February 25, 2009 10:25AM

it all depends on the person and the item

otwcards · February 25, 2009 10:30AM

<< There is no DNA certification available for Jenna. She has too much of others mixed with hers. You'll never be able to tell if its hers or not. >>

That's pretty hard to swallow...

matthewbschultz83 · February 25, 2009 10:33AM

<< 

<< There is no DNA certification available for Jenna. She has too much of others mixed with hers. You'll never be able to tell if its hers or not. >>

That's pretty hard to swallow... >>

If Jenna's on these boards I know she's taking it pretty hard.....

Dboneesq · February 25, 2009 11:34AM

<< 

<< There is no DNA certification available for Jenna. She has too much of others mixed with hers. You'll never be able to tell if its hers or not. >>

That's pretty hard to swallow... >>

OTW Good one!

Ironmanfan · February 25, 2009 11:44AM

The only time a personalization would demand a premium would be if the autograph was personalized to another famous person.....99% of the time, a personalization will drive down the value as opposed to one with no personalization

austinchau · February 25, 2009 12:20PM

<< The only time a personalization would demand a premium would be if the autograph was personalized to another famous person.....99% of the time, a personalization will drive down the value as opposed to one with no personalization >>

I see a lot more personalization nowaday when it comes to TTM, such as "To Austin: ..."

I think some of the players realized that there are some graph seekers who just get TTM solely for resell purpose. Do you guys think that is what's going on?

Ironmanfan · February 25, 2009 1:05PM

<< 

<< The only time a personalization would demand a premium would be if the autograph was personalized to another famous person.....99% of the time, a personalization will drive down the value as opposed to one with no personalization >>

I see a lot more personalization nowaday when it comes to TTM, such as "To Austin: ..."

I think some of the players realized that there are some graph seekers who just get TTM solely for resell purpose. Do you guys think that is what's going on? >>

yes

leathtech · February 25, 2009 1:18PM

<< 

<< The only time a personalization would demand a premium would be if the autograph was personalized to another famous person.....99% of the time, a personalization will drive down the value as opposed to one with no personalization >>

I see a lot more personalization nowaday when it comes to TTM, such as "To Austin: ..."

I think some of the players realized that there are some graph seekers who just get TTM solely for resell purpose. Do you guys think that is what's going on? >>

I think you are right on... personally I kind of like the personalized auto's via TTM - it shows that the person looked at the letter.

Now if I'm paying for the auto via TTM I do not like the personalization.

nightcrawler · February 25, 2009 1:34PM

I've always trusted the personalized auto's more than the non personalized.

I don't trust anything without real proof.

austinchau · February 25, 2009 1:38PM

<< I've always trusted the personalized auto's more than the non personalized.

I don't trust anything without real proof. >>

That's a very good point! If a scammer wants to fake a graph, he wouldn't have bothered or risk to derive lower value by personalizing. I will look at personalized autograph with added respect now

Allen · February 25, 2009 1:40PM

When I asked Michael Jordan to sign a basketball for me he smiled and asked what my name was as he put the pen to the ball. I smiled back and said "eBay."

A Ruth ball personalized to Bill would likely get more aggressive bidding from potential buyer named Bill.

schr1st · February 25, 2009 2:20PM

For modern living players, it will nearly kill the value unless the signature is very rare (Mike Marshall, Pete Vukovich, Sammy Stewart, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, etc.).
For big name players that passed away within the modern era, it can hammer the final sale price, but the item will still have value (IE, a personalized Mickey Mantle signed ball might only go for $200 where a comparable one would sell for $400 or more).
For vintage and rare signatures, it's not quite so damaging, especially if it's a high quality signature. Granted a well preserved non-personalized Ruth will sell for 5 times the price of either, but a well preserved personalized Babe Ruth ball could sell for as much if not more than a shellacked Babe Ruth beater.

PowderedH2O · February 25, 2009 4:51PM

I personally prefer personalizations. Even if they are to someone else. I find that the more writing that the person did is just like that person put a little more into it. I know that whenever I have had the opportunity to have a signature personalized I have requested it. For example, when I met Lou Brock years ago, he signed a photo to me and put a notation and then shook my hand afterwards. To me, you couldn't pry that autograph away from me for anything. When I have purchased other autographs that were personalized (or letters on occasion), it just makes them more special. Maybe I am in the minority, but it is the way I look at it.

MooseDog · February 26, 2009 12:26AM

I'm with TenneseeBanker and the others who don't mind personalized autographs for my collection. What got me interested in autographs in the first place was the handwriting and variances thereof. The first time I saw Charlie Gehringer's signature I thought it was a work of art.

I've been at this almost 40 years and it boggles my mind still that a personalized 3x5 or photo signed "To John" is "devalued" yet a letter that starts "Dear John" commands a premium in the market. It was that way when I started out and still holds true today.

thekid8 · February 26, 2009 12:58AM

I perfer the personalized auto more now than I did 20 years ago --- even though 100 years from now it might not mean anything to the person who ends up with it but for me today and my family down the road it means alot. I have begun to request some TTM for my kids and ask the signers to personlize them --- Mike Mussina sent one back for my son that read "To Carter Thanks for being a baseball fan" Mike Mussina
I have posted the items below before but since I share my name with an ex player I though this personlization was great

but if you are looking to sell the non-personalized might be the way to go
Mike

Personalized autograph VS Non-personalized autograph

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