Presidential Autographs

ajw · June 24, 2008 1:39AM

Anyone know much about Presidential autographs? I've long dreamed of starting a baseball and adding each new President's signature. How easy/tough are the former Presidents Carter, Bush and Clinton? I suspect GWB might be fairly easy and he's a baseball fan.

blades3 · June 24, 2008 2:15AM

It would be almost impossible at this point. Carter is an easy signer, but doesn't sign balls anymore. Bush signs through the mail, but doesn't sign balls anymore. Clinton is a tough signer. I'm not sure if he signs balls. I think GWB would have to be in-person. I think you'd have a shot at Clinton on a ball in person, but that would be your starting point. You may be better off going for single-signed balls of each president since if you got a few on one ball, you wouldn't really want to keep sending the same ball through the mail to try and get the next one. There was a very cool multi-signed president ball in Memory Lane's last auction with Nixon, Reagan, Carter, Bush and Clinton...here's the link

thenavarro · June 24, 2008 2:52AM

<< <i>Anyone know much about Presidential autographs? I've long dreamed of starting a baseball and adding each new President's signature. How easy/tough are the former Presidents Carter, Bush and Clinton? I suspect GWB might be fairly easy and he's a baseball fan. >>

All the ones you mention are easy IF YOU CAN GET TO THEM IN PERSON. Carter and Bush will sign a lot of things through the mail but baseballs are not one of them unless it's a very special ball and you have connections. Clinton is tough through the mail on everything, but at appearances, secret service will gather items up and then he signs them all at once, GWB will sign anything you put in front of him if you get a chance to meet him, through the mail he will sign special items but you need to get permission first.

Sometimes at book signings, the literature will say "No items except books" or something to that effect, but I've gotten Carter to sign balls for me on a couple of different occasions at book signings by not showing them until I got right in front of him, don't give the bookstore staff time to say no. The former Presidents are all fairly gracious individuals, but you have to make it by staff first.

Good luck, it's really not as hard as some will make it out to be. If I were you, I would start by buying one already signed by Ford, since he's no longer alive and go from there.

Mike

CDsNuts · June 24, 2008 2:57AM

I heard Rutherford B. Hayes signs through the mail, but requires a $35 fee that goes to his foundation for troubled inner city youths.

nam812 · June 24, 2008 3:03AM

<< <i>I heard Rutherford B. Hayes signs through the mail, but requires a $35 fee that goes to his foundation for troubled inner city youths. >>

That type of reply from you is the main reason that:

A) 50% of the members here want to hoist you up on their shoulders and celebrate your existance

The other 50% are sickened by the mere though of you replying to a valid post that they make

ajw · June 24, 2008 3:07AM

<< <i>
Good luck, it's really not as hard as some will make it out to be. If I were you, I would start by buying one already signed by Ford, since he's no longer alive and go from there.

Mike >>

Thanks for the info, Mike. Mastro has a Ford ball right now, but I'm not sure I want him on the sweet spot. Picky, I know. Odds are I'll never actually start this project, as it just seems sorta overwhelming.

BobS · June 24, 2008 3:08AM

I'm in Group A, for the record.

Long Live Lee!!!

CDsNuts · June 24, 2008 3:20AM

Sorry, I was thinking of Ron Artest, not Rutherford B. Hayes. I always get those two mixed up.

ekardz · June 24, 2008 4:54AM

after seeing the Washington Hair cards from Allen & Ginter, I had considered collecting presidental autographs. Their value can do nothing but appreciate. However, I want the big wigs = Lincoln/Washington both of whom sell for around 7-10 grand a pop.

Presidential Autographs

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