Which would you rather have - vintage set high grade or autographed set - equal value?

frankhardy

I am only dreaming. There is no way I could ever afford either one of these. I was just sitting here wondering this for myself and I thought I would ask you guys. Pick your favorite vintage set. Which one would you rather have for your collection - a complete set that is autographed or a complete set in high grade (a high grade that would be equal in value to the autographed set)?

For example, I would say that a 1952 Topps complete set in PSA 10 would be worth WAY more than a complete set that is autographed (at least I would think so). In the 52 Topps set, what grade equivalent would equal a completely autographed set? That is hard to answer, I know. But, the main question is, which one would you rather have, if value is equal.

I think I would rather have a completely autographed set. That would be the coolest thing ever. I know of some guys that have even a 1986 Topps complete set that is autographed and I think that is the neatest thing ever.

Anyway, just thinking about that. Discuss.

jswieton

I would personally rather have an autographed set of 52's if we are comparing sets that are relatively equal in value. It blows my mind to think that each one of the players, at one time, had that card in their hands.

YogiBerraFan

Autographed set for sure

thenavarro

If monetary value is the same, I'll take the autographed set. I don't particularly care for unsigned cards though, so I'm admittedly a bit biased.

otwcards

Interesting thought.

I have completed the 1948 Leaf Football Set in PSA 5 and higher, am working on the Master Set (92% complete), have a complete raw set and am over 50% on an autographed set. All things considered, I'd be happiest having the complete set autographed, then the complete Master Set.

stevek

I'd rather have the high grade set. I have a number of autographed cards, and they are cool, but i bought them in lots of other cards and they just came along with it...but I generally don't collect autographed cards or memorabilia.

gemint

Definitely the high grade set. I'm not that into autographed cards. Plus I don't trust them, even if authenticated.

One set that would be cool though would be to have a complete '52 Topps set in which the facsimile autograph was erased and then actually signed by the player in the autograph box.

captainthreeputt

I am not an autograph collector at all, but I must agree, that given the choice, I would have to have the 52 set autographed. That would be so difficult to obtain that it would be much more satisfying to achieve!

Dboneesq

<< <i>I am not an autograph collector at all, but I must agree, that given the choice, I would have to have the 52 set autographed. That would be so difficult to obtain that it would be much more satisfying to achieve! >>


I AM an autograph collector and I agree 100% with Brian regarding the '52 set.

elsnorto

I'm not much for autographed cards unless they are manufacturer certified inserts. That said, I would actually take one of my favorite mid-grade vintage sets over an autographed version.

Snorto~

yankeeno7

I like the autographs because the personal touch by the actual player themselves. I have often considered doing the 78 set signed but the Munson keeps me from doing it LOL

Dialj

+1 on the Autographed set of equal value. Like mentioned above, the thought of the player actually having the card in his hand is awesome!!

MBMiller25

All things being equal, I would rather have the autographed set. As an aside, does anyone know how far Randy (Rube) got on the 52 Auto'd set before he got ticked off and sold it all? I seem to think he was pretty far along.

gregm13

Great question and I would definately go with the autographed set. I have built both high grade sets (my targeted grade was typically PSA 8) and autograph sets of the same year (for instance 1957 Topps football) and here is my philosophy which others may not agree with. When building a high grade set, the primary concern is money. Most of the cards will become available over a several years span and the question is whether you can afford the card or not. With autographed sets, the challenge is (1) determining whether the player is alive and still able to sign, and (2) if the player is deceased then finding his autographed card in the market. I currently collect only vintage signed football sets and there are many deceased players whose autographed cards are impossible to find. Through hard work, I have uncovered several small vintage autographed collections that I have purchased however they are few and far between. So, the issue with autographed cards is simply finding them. There are quite a number of vintage cards that are theoretically possible to have been signed, but none of the top autographed dealers I work with have seen one (e.g. autographed Bronko Nagurski 1935 National Chicle).

JMHO.

Rgs,

Greg M.

gregm13

<< <i>All things being equal, I would rather have the autographed set. As an aside, does anyone know how far Randy (Rube) got on the 52 Auto'd set before he got ticked off and sold it all? I seem to think he was pretty far along. >>



I think that he was 3/4 of the way finished w/ that set...which was simply incredible.

Rgs,

Greg M.

fiveniner

I can not imagine having a complete autographed set however that would be my preference,any pre 60 set.

MooseDog

I'm biased towards autographs so I'd prefer the autographed set. One of my last projects was a signed 1990 Leaf set. I know of two people who were down to needing less than 10 cards for the set, but there are at least two in there that are nearly impossible.

Also, the 1990 era was about the time that you saw the transition from nice, readable signatures to scribbles.

If I could have any complete set autographed, I'd probably opt for the 1968 Topps. Lots of portraits and they look great signed in ball point or sharpie.

JoeBanzai

Great Question!

I would like the autographed set, but my choice would be 1955 Topps. The value is not what the 1952 set would be, but it's Killebrew's rookie year and I would never sell a set like that any way, so the money thing doesn't come into play.

How about a different option for the single player collector? A complete run of your favorite players cards in "Gem Mint" condition or equal value complete run autographed? That would be a tough one for me. In this case, I would take the "Gem" set as I have lots of my guy's autographs on photos and baseballs.

Not trying to derail your thread.

Joe

frankhardy

<< <i>Great Question!

I would like the autographed set, but my choice would be 1955 Topps. The value is not what the 1952 set would be, but it's Killebrew's rookie year and I would never sell a set like that any way, so the money thing doesn't come into play.

How about a different option for the single player collector? A complete run of your favorite players cards in "Gem Mint" condition or equal value complete run autographed? That would be a tough one for me. In this case, I would take the "Gem" set as I have lots of my guy's autographs on photos and baseballs.

Not trying to derail your thread.

Joe >>




Well, I don't have a complete run of Albert Pujols because he has a gagillion cards. However, since my main focus is Topps base cards, I do have a complete run of 2001 to 2011 Topps Albert Pujols cards in PSA 10 holders, with the exception of 2001; it is a PSA 9. I can get a PSA 10 about anytime I want because they are not that rare. The 2002, 2003, and 2007 are VERY difficult to get a PSA 10. Try finding one sometime. Anyway, having said that, I could not imagine having all of those cards signed. I do have a 2001 Topps Traded Pujols signed, which is very rare. It is in a JSA holder. I would definitely go for an autographed run of Topps base cards of Albert Pujols.

I actually do own a run of signed Lou Brock in Cardinals uniforms from 1965 to 1979 Topps base cards (no All Stars, etc). Same thing with Red Schoendienst. I have all of his Bowman and Topps cards signed (in Cardinals uniforms).

cardsnbeads

A few years ago I would have said high grade, but now it is autographed all the way. Graded Vintage cards are still nice, but I would rather have every possible signed 1955 Topps All-American instead of every 1955 Topps All-American in a PSA 8 or better. I have owned the 4 Horsemen in a 7, but I have never seen the card signed by all 4. That to me would be better than a PSA 10.

jimrad

My answer is that I see no value in an autographed card. In fact I view it as the same damage to a card as trimming or coloring.
The original card to me is the collectible. If you want an auto get it on something else.
JMHO

SOM

<< <i>I have often considered doing the 78 set signed but the Munson keeps me from doing it LOL >>



So might Mark Fidrych and Lyman Bostock and a few others

fkw

an autographed set of any year (not just 1952T) would be far more important than a set of cards with sharp corners as issued (whoopy do )