Sending Cards TTM for Autos

lahmejoon

Hi All,

I haven't done this for a looooong time, but this board has peaked my interest in getting back into it. What I thought would be cool would be to send off to some of my favorite players from my childhood who are still in baseball in a coaching capacity (Carney Lansford, Mike Gallego, Curt Young, Chili Davis, etc), so I'm not going to be sending high dollar cards by any stretch of the imagination. My question to the experts is, do you send your cards in sleeves, or do you just send them loose? My initial thought would be to send them loose to minimize the potential for the autograph to smear when placed back into a sleeve, or minimize potential carelessness when the person takes the card out of the sleeve and puts it back in.

Thanks in advance!
Aaron

brianwintersfan

I do TTM as well and it is a lot of fun. Anyway I do sleeves, top loads and in a team bag. For a long time I just did sleeves and top loads but a lot of times the bumpy ride would shake them loose causing damage. Now some players won't always return them the way I send them, and they do get dinged sometimes. I have gotten some back with smeared autos but for the most part players have done enough autos so they know to let them dry.

Dboneesq

Aaron ... here is what I do and I have had very few problems as far as the auto smearing or the card being bent when put back in the holder.

Put the card in a CS1.

Write a nice note to the player, specifically mentioning something special that the player accomplished.

Include a self addressed stamped envelope for the return. I suggest using a 4ever stamp, as I have had returns come back years later.

Insert your letter, the card in the CS1 and the folded return envelope inside another envelope. ONE stamp on the outgoing envelope is sufficient.

GOOD LUCK and let us know your results.

ledsters

I have had the same positive results using Doug's method.

otwcards

Sending to recently retired players allows for one to use some of the protection that is available for cards. I tend to send to many of the aging players. Players that are in their 70's and 80's and their manual dexterity is not as keen, so I learned early on, unless you want a CS1 or penny sleeve signed instead of the card, it is best to slip the card between 2 blank index cards and include a cash donation along with the note. I've had very little damage sending this way and most return the cards between the index cards and often sign or write personal notes on the index cards as an added bonus. YMMV.

daddymc

Use a CS1, but slit the sides 1/2 to 3/4 down. Still gives some level of protection, easier for player to remove and replace, and doesn't smudge as easily.

VitoCo1972

<< <i>Use a CS1, but slit the sides 1/2 to 3/4 down. Still gives some level of protection, easier for player to remove and replace, and doesn't smudge as easily. >>



That's a good idea, Don! i usually just use CS1's as well but that seems like it would make it easier!

brianwintersfan

<< <i>Use a CS1, but slit the sides 1/2 to 3/4 down. Still gives some level of protection, easier for player to remove and replace, and doesn't smudge as easily. >>



That is a good idea. Might have to try that.

lahmejoon

Thanks, guys. That IS a great idea with cutting the CS1 down. Looking forward to getting back into this!