How much would you consider "too much" for a living autograph if you needed it?

thenavarro · April 24, 2008 9:13AM

Just a question for discussion. What is the most you would pay for an autograph of a living person on an item of yours? For who and how much?

I just got to thinking about this myself recently, as Sandy Koufax was doing a private signing this past weekend with Steiner, and I wanted to get a rookie card signed for my collection, but they wanted around $800 just for the sig!!!! I said no thanks.

However, i would pay Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, or Tiger Woods $500 each to sign an item I need, especially if I got to meet them again as part of that experience (never met Woods personally, just from a slight distance). I would pay Bill Clinton $500.00 to sign my multi-signed Presidential piece that I posted (I wouldn't pay GW that much though as he is relatively easy to get compared to Clinton)

Another living person that is extremely rare that I might pay $500.00 to is JD Salinger, a reclusive author, I wouldn't enjoy meeting him, I'd just sell it.

How about y'all? Who would you pay big bucks to get a sig from, and what would be your limit?

Mike

fkw · April 24, 2008 9:52AM

$20

Futureman · April 24, 2008 9:54AM

It's tough to say. I think the most I've ever paid was $75 for Ryne Sandberg, but he was my favorite player when I was growing up. I don't really have anywhere to create a nice display of items right now. $800 for Koufax seems really steep. Steiner really has prices escalating. I guess they figure the market will bear it for the New York teams.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, what is a reasonable price for current players? There is a show this weekend, and some Royals (Gordon, Butler, Meche, Teahen) are signing in the $25-$30 range.

cwazzy · April 24, 2008 9:57AM

I remember going to shows when I was younger when autograph guests signed for free. I miss those days.

Chris

F1ferrari · April 24, 2008 10:04AM

As much as I'd love to have a Cal Ripken autographed baseball, I just can't bring myself to pay ~ $200 for one. Cal is in my 'Big 3' of favorite athletes, with Richard Petty and Michael Schumacher are the other 2. Petty's autograph is relatively easy to get (I think I have 2 or 3 of his) and I paid $35 for a Schumacher autograph years ago, but I can't bring myself to pony up for a Ripken autograph.

storm888 · April 24, 2008 10:06AM

I would not pay more than 50% of the amount I was SURE
that I could dump it for on EBAY the next day.

Futureman · April 24, 2008 10:17AM

If you aren't looking to resell it, then what price would you pay if you were going to use it to display. Like buying a piece of art to display, not with resale value as your first thought.

storm888 · April 24, 2008 10:24AM

"If you aren't looking to resell it, then what price would you pay if you were going to use it to display. Like buying a piece of art to display, not with resale value as your first thought. "

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

I would pay 50% of the amount I was SURE that I could dump it for on EBAY the next day.

VitoCo1972 · April 24, 2008 10:30AM

Whatever i would have to pay Tiger Woods to sign a ball for me is too much. People are paying like $2500 for authenticated ones. I have 37 different Masters winners on balls, but I refuse to pay that much for someone who is alive.

Stone193 · April 24, 2008 11:20AM

Current player - 25 bucks

HOF'er - 75 bucks

That's how much I think is appropriate - now if I really wanted/needed it? Not sure - maybe no more than 50 for the current and 150 for the HOF'er.

mike

MooseDog · April 24, 2008 12:52PM

I have a long dormant project of trying to get the entire 1992-93 Upper Deck Hockey set signed. At this point I would probably pay $50 each for two of the Gretzkys I need and maybe $40 tops for Kariya (always been tough in San Jose).

On the other hand, I have a Patrick Roy game used goalie stick signed by him and the great Russian goalie Vladislav Tretiak. I'd probably be willing to go $200 to get Ken Dryden on there too.

I know they aren't baseball but maybe that would give another perspective.

WinPitcher · April 24, 2008 12:57PM

I guess it really depends on the person?

Run of the mill people, 20.00?

hard to get people? 100.00?

Hall of Famers 50.00?

Tuff question.

Steve

divecchia · April 24, 2008 1:10PM

I paid $180 for my daughter to get a Manny Ramirez auto at a show. It's her favorite player. I personally have never paid for a players auto for myself and find the prices they charge outrageous. If I really wanted a Hof'er that is still alive I may pay $100, but not more than that.

Donato

AlmostPerfect · April 24, 2008 1:21PM

<< Cal is in my 'Big 3' of favorite athletes, with Richard Petty and Michael Schumacher are the other >>

[ ] racers are athletes

storm888 · April 24, 2008 1:34PM

"[ ] racers are athletes"......

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

One could argue that it's a good bit harder to control a 200-mph+ car
for 500-miles than it is to walk 18-holes.

thenavarro · April 24, 2008 1:37PM

<< 

<< Cal is in my 'Big 3' of favorite athletes, with Richard Petty and Michael Schumacher are the other >>

[ ] racers are athletes >>

In my opinion they are definitely athletes. Back in the day I used to play the competitive traditional 3, baseball, basketball, and football. And now, I quite frequently take my Porsche to the track, and I can tell you from personal experience, that takes coordination, guts, determination, presence of mine, and endurance far more than I remember the baseball, basketball and football taking. Driving at high speeds with 24 or more other cars in very close proximity for long periods of time is a true test of sensory and decision making, and if you make a mistake racing, it could cost you or others their life, whereas if you make a mistake in basketball, it just costs you a couple points, or in football, you just miss the tackle, etc.

I never really had appreciation for the racers, until I started driving myself, and I don't do it competitively, only recreationally, (and only on tracks intended for that purpose, not the highway) but until you sit in that seat and get a chance to experience it, you never realize what it takes.

Mike

diamondman · April 24, 2008 2:10PM

3 or 4 hundred for a Jordan, other than that 50 to 100 for the rest. I'm not that big into autographs. but did get hooked on the 94-95 Be a player autograph set and opened about 2 and half cases in 1995, and still had to go out and buy the Gretzky.

Still remember one show in Cincy where Griffey Jr and Mark Lewis were both signing for 3.00 an auto in 1989. didn't get either one at that time waited until they where charging more. LOL

mikeschmidt · April 24, 2008 2:35PM

I used to be such an enamored autograph collector, and I could wax poetic about why it made sense to pay up for an autograph of Dr. Mike Marshall or some other prominent (or not) baseball player.

At this stage in life (I'm an early old man)....I wouldn't pay too much for a significant sports figure...maybe up to $200 or so....but I would pay a boatload of money to sit around and hear stories from any of numerous heroes...and the older I get (32 next month!), the less that these potential individuals are sports figures. How much would I pay for a personal audience with the Dalia Lama? Hugo Chavez (reviled....but interesting, because of his charisma)? Hard to say. I can care less about signatures anymore....and am much more interested in experience.

NickM · April 24, 2008 9:48PM

The most I've ever paid was $25, for Fred Lynn. I had a game-used bat of his, and he was appearing at a local show. It's not something I would carry around with me for anything but a certain signature, so I paid up.

Other than having something really special like that, I doubt I'd pay more than $20, especially with the proliferation of manufacturer-certified autographed cards that often sell for less than $10 (and sometimes less than $5) for HOFers.

Nick

jrinck · April 25, 2008 2:23AM

I don't mind buying an autograph to give as a gift, but if it's for me, then I MUST get it in person, and it must be free.

jrinck · April 25, 2008 2:27AM

<< I used to be such an enamored autograph collector, and I could wax poetic about why it made sense to pay up for an autograph of Dr. Mike Marshall or some other prominent (or not) baseball player.

At this stage in life (I'm an early old man)....I wouldn't pay too much for a significant sports figure...maybe up to $200 or so....but I would pay a boatload of money to sit around and hear stories from any of numerous heroes...and the older I get (32 next month!), the less that these potential individuals are sports figures. How much would I pay for a personal audience with the Dalia Lama? Hugo Chavez (reviled....but interesting, because of his charisma)? Hard to say. I can care less about signatures anymore....and am much more interested in experience. >>

To bring up one of your favorites, Mike Schmidt---I was an avid Schmidt fan in the 80's, as a teen in southeast PA, but due to me ignoring the call-waiting, I missed a chance to meet Mike Schmidt in person. There was some sort of award dinner/banquet in his honor, and one of my dad's friends, who had connections, tried to call me and ask me if I wanted to go. I never picked up the call, and thus missed my chance. I remember being on the phone and hearing the beep, but figured it was either for my sister or dad, and I was too self-absorbed to answer.

The guy brought back an auto'd ball and some papers from the event, but I still kick myself for not taking that call.

Tedw9 · April 25, 2008 10:30AM

I just paid $200 plus gas and hotel to get David Ortiz a couple of weeks ago. That is the first time I have paid more than $20 for an autograph. If I didn't have a game used bat for him to sign, I never would have spent
that much on an autograph. But the bat looks sweet and the experience itself was a blast, so it was worth the money.

diamondman · April 25, 2008 12:21PM

best 200.00 dollars I ever spent was having Leo (Chico) Cardenas spend 2 hours at my store signing autographs (for free), and telling stories of his baseball career (playing days and coaching days). didn't make any money that day but had a great an unforgetable time. Just my 2 cents or penny and half worth since I think I've lost 25% of mind . LOL

TheHun · April 25, 2008 12:50PM

Other than a few commercial cards, I've never paid for an autograph.

I have a few deceased athletes/people:

Joe Di Maggio - FREE
Andreas Escobar - Columbian soccer player (shot dead) - FREE
George Best - Manchester United soccer great - FREE
Billy Martin - FREE
President James Polk - TRADE

and a few living notables:

Gaylord Perry - HOF - FREE
Willie Stargell - HOF - FREE
Col. Oliver North - FREE
Jack Nicholas - golf legend - FREE
Ken Stabler - NFL QB - FREE
Pele - soccer legend - FREE
Guy LaFleur - hockey legend - FREE
Cobi Jones - MLS soccer - FREE
Tony Esposito - hockey HOF - FREE
Chi Chi Rodriguez - golfer - FREE
O.J. Simpson - FREE

But "IF" I was to purchase an autograph I would pursue:

Telifio Stevenson - Cuban Olympic Gold Boxer
Eric Cantona - Manchester United legend
Tonya Harding - figure skating drama
Art Donovan - football player - with the best stories ever in the NFL !
Murray Armstrong - oldest living Toronto Maple Leaf - played in the 1932 Stanley Cup !

cheers

BobaFett72 · April 25, 2008 1:18PM

honestly, i'd never pay more than $50 for an autograph, unless it was for a REALLY good cause or charity and i knew that the money was being put too good use and not lining the pocket of some millionaire celebrity athlete.

Knuckles · April 25, 2008 1:26PM

For a living player I wouldn't pay more than $35 unless it was in person... In person I would pay as much at $100 for the likes of Gordie Howe, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson (yea Tyson), Ken Griffey Jr... can't think of anyone else right now.

- Garret

taka · April 25, 2008 3:23PM

The prices for sending items to Steiner to get autographed were not bad just a few years ago. They have lots of hockey signings but the prices are too expensive now.

I used to send in items to Gretzky's company when he had his private signings. I paid $299 each to get some sticks signed. Gretzky signs when you see him in person but the quality of the signatures isn't great.

MooseDog · April 26, 2008 3:47AM

I'm pretty sure Tonya and and Armstrong can be gotten TTM. Stevenson is really rare.

<< Other than a few commercial cards, I've never paid for an autograph.

But "IF" I was to purchase an autograph I would pursue:

Telifio Stevenson - Cuban Olympic Gold Boxer
Eric Cantona - Manchester United legend
Tonya Harding - figure skating drama
Art Donovan - football player - with the best stories ever in the NFL !
Murray Armstrong - oldest living Toronto Maple Leaf - played in the 1932 Stanley Cup !

cheers >>

Carew29 · April 26, 2008 4:51AM

I like Artie Moreno's approach to this.....Every, and that's EVERY Angel player will sign auto's at different gates throughout the season during home games. So basicly the value is $0( or price of admission to that particular game) --you asked, he signed.

How much would you consider &quot;too much&quot; for a living autograph if you needed it?

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How much would you consider "too much" for a living autograph if you needed it?