Question for the autograph collectors

Tomi

Just wondering what signature do you believe would be the most expensive if offered in the highest grade available. Just the autograph on an index card or piece of paper. I know the Ruth signed ball was way over $300k and the King Kelly banquet signature was over $200k. Just wondering what would be considered the "Holy Grail" of autograph collecting, Ruth, Jackson, Mathewson, etc. My friends all say it's Ruth but I keep thinking a high grade auto of Joe Jackson would take it. Your thoughts.

yankeeno7

Joe Jackson is by far more valuable than an Ruth auto. Ruth signed a TON. I dont know who would be the most expensive auto out there or who the Holy Grail would be but Joe Jackson is certainly up there. Maybe Abner Doubleday would be another big one? I never looked at his auto prices.

MULLINS5

Nowhere near Jackson, but Terry Sawchuk would be a nice pickup.

Dboneesq

Just off the top of my head, I would have to go with Shoeless Joe. Not too sure there are very many around.

tnspro

Hobey Baker

PMKAY

<< <i>Hobey Baker >>



This auction was over six years ago but does anyone have the ability to see what this Hobey Baker autograph went for?

tnspro

12k or so

thenavarro

Probably non sport, on cuts not index cards

Obtainable if you are rich enough and can find one to pry from someone:

Button Gwinnett(sp?) He's the toughie of the Declaration of Independence signers

Pretty much not obtainable for even a very rich person but are in existence:

Shakespeare


No idea on sports.

Tomi

<< <i>

<< <i>Hobey Baker >>



This auction was over six years ago but does anyone have the ability to see what this Hobey Baker autograph went for? >>



$11,959.00

sbfinley

There two Joe Jackson signatures that I believe are without a doubt legit and those are his Will and Testament (which the Hall owns I believe) and a copy of his drivers license (which is in a private collection). I've seen a handful of others authenticated by JSA and PSA that are nothing more random chicken scratch, how they can be authenticated is beyond me. The legal document likely won't ever see the light of day. The driver's licence? I wouldn't know where to price it, but it sold at Sotheby's in the 90's so someone might be able to track down a hammer price.

Joe seems like the likely choice, but I'd be willing to bet a Jose Mendez signature could beat him if one ever popped up. I'm pretty sure his just a myth at this point and none have turned up. Not only does he short Hall of Fame auto collectors, but there are also some deep pocketed Cuban baseball collectors who would die for it.

gonzer

<< <i>There two Joe Jackson signatures that I believe are without a doubt legit and those are his Will and Testament (which the Hall owns I believe) and a copy of his drivers license

Not much has changed...people who can't read or write are still allowed to get a license.

orioles93

<< <i>Probably non sport, on cuts not index cards

Obtainable if you are rich enough and can find one to pry from someone:

Button Gwinnett(sp?) He's the toughie of the Declaration of Independence signers

Pretty much not obtainable for even a very rich person but are in existence:

Shakespeare


No idea on sports. >>



Aren't there only a handful of Shakespeare signatures in existence?

GR

For Football The best hall of fame autograph is Hugh "Shorty" Ray, the top names in non hof football are "Duke" Slater, Lavern Dilweg, and Players killed in action like Al Blozis, Jack Lummus, ect. Also Im not sure how much he would go for but Sidney gepford was the first ever football player to die in 1924. For Basketball honestly a good Jordan or Maravich is cream of the crop Naismith himself is usually around a grand. For baseball theres actually a LOT of non hof players worth as much or more then Babe Ruth! See Eddie Gaedel, Harry Oneill, Clancy Smyres (if one of his ever surfaced again may bring as much as 5 figures!) For the hall of famers any pre WWI hof players are usually pretty sure bets along with the obvious all time greats. Interestingly enough Rube Waddell is very very tough, he had some mental issues and rumour has it he signed with an X the way people thought Joe Jackson signed most of his. Don't disregard the negro leagues they have a HUGE following, and some expensive guys with Josh Gibson and Rube Foster. Lord Stanley in Hockey is the big one, he runs over 4 figures if you can find one. Hope this helps, Button Gwynett is insanely expensive as Navaro said he would run well over $100,000. Also with signed letters the content can rapidly increase the value of the piece but can never decrease the value of the signature which makes letters a good bet to invest in.

miwlvrn

Out of curiosity, I put in a search for what was currently on ebay and my terms were (auto, autograph, autographed, signed, signature). It is listed in order of highest asking price to lowest. You can also check out other versions of it, completed & sold. Obviously not all expensive autos hit ebay and many are in auction houses, but it was still an interesting list to read through.

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