Considering a TTM auto complete set project

CrimsonTider · November 12, 2008 3:21AM

I'm considering starting a new endeavour, which like most I start gets about 5 - 10% finished. I was thinking about attempting to get the 1983 OPC set auto'ed thru the mail.

This set if finished would be worth about $200 less that the actual postage needed to complete, but don't tell my wife.

I was interested in any helpful info that anyone may part upon me, i.e. where to start? where to locate address? best writing instrument to send? whether or not it would be do-able?

I must also add that I'm lazy, play poker most week nights, play golf each weekend and about to have my first child so this would be a 4-5 year project at best.

Also, I'm not completely set on 83 OPC, would consider other sets from the 80's, leaning toward OPC due to its smaller size. 83 has a lot of HOF'ers (except for D Murph which is a crying shame, we should rally together and demand that he be placed in Cooperstown) and 2 solid rookies, Gywnn and Sandberg. Any thoughts on this to would be appreciated.

tennesseebanker · November 12, 2008 3:59AM

You wouldn't be able to do the whole set TTM , Some players are deceased, Most of the superstars wont respond TTM, and some players live out of the country or are impossible to find. If lucky, you may be able to get 65 to 70 % of the players TTM and that would be a good average. You will have to explore every avenue possible when completing sets, such as card signings at shows, E-bay, and guys who are collectors who don't even sell on E-bay.
That being said, If you are serious it is a commitment not to take lightly. I usually never complete much either, But I am working on several sets now, sometimes you have to put them on the backburner and do other things so you wont burnout. It will probably take years to complete a autographed set.
Good Luck and let me know if I can help.

Ironmanfan · November 12, 2008 4:08AM

It took nearly 15 years, but I did complete the 1983 Donruss Action All Stars set entirely (59 cards plus one checklist).

lsutigers1973 · November 12, 2008 4:10AM

You might try completing a Nick Saban auto set. Would only cost you about $1000 to get him to sign both of his cards.

leathtech · November 12, 2008 4:28AM

<< <i>You might try completing a Nick Saban auto set. Would only cost you about $1000 to get him to sign both of his cards. >>

LSU - play nice!

CT'er good luck starting this, you might want to start small and then think big... maybe start with a team or two from the set and see how many players you can get to sign from 1 team. I would also suggest joining http://www.sportscollectors.net/ it's one of the best TTM sites I have found.

bigwilli · November 12, 2008 4:35AM

I agree with everything said so far . Its near impossible to complete a set TTM . I am working on
getting the 2006 Topps 52' set . I am about 60 % done . I am having trouble locating a few of the guys.
If you want to try , be my guest but dont be let down when you get going only to stall out . Good luck
whatever you decide to do . TTM is an enjoyable hobby.

1,478 TTM autos and counting for me so far .

lostdart58 · November 12, 2008 4:41AM

...I think 65-70% TTM is a bit high!!!

leathtech · November 12, 2008 4:53AM

I would be very very happy at 60-70% completion rate via TTM.

I'm currently doing the 1985 Bears Team from the Topps Set - I think there was 15 cards issued (2 players have passed away) so far I've been able to get 6 back signed.

Good luck for sure!

CrimsonTider · November 12, 2008 6:05AM

That's some sound advise, I may start out with the Atlanta Braves from the 83 OPC or try the 1986 topps mini, that maybe a little more easier. I would hate to waste a cherry set of of 86 mint mini's though. That would be like throwing 3 quarters, 2 dimes, a nickle anf 4 pennies away!

leathtech · November 12, 2008 6:12AM

<< <i>I would hate to waste a cherry set of of 86 mint mini's though. That would be like throwing 3 quarters, 2 dimes, a nickle anf 4 pennies away! >>

Thanks for the great laugh... I think I have extra if you need them!

PowderedH2O · November 12, 2008 6:17AM

I've been collecting TTM sports autographs for about 20 years. I generally get about 50% of current players to respond, and of that, most of them are not the stars. Very few stars in baseball will sign through the mail anymore. I heard Ryne Sandberg say once that in the mid 80's he was getting nearly 2 million fan letters a year. Even if he was in the mood to sign, it would take him hours per day to have accomplished that. As far as retired players go, I get about 60-70%, but it becomes difficult to find a few players. And some are deceased - actually if you go all the way back to 1983 it would be quite a few. I would recommend you take on a smaller set or a more recent set where the players are still alive and you might be able to track down the rest via ebay. On another note, I also tried the 1983 Donruss Action All-Stars through the mail - I sent out all 59 and I got back 12. I got a couple more in person, and eventually I realized I wasn't going to get the rest and gave up on it. Now I just do photos and index cards and I leave it at that. BTW, I would recommend StarTiger for the addresses. It's cheap and it gives recent results.

Sam

slantycouch · November 12, 2008 7:02AM

I've been working on three sets for the last few years. The largest undertaking is a 1960 Topps set and I'm only about 70% of the way through in 7 years. I'm at the point where there are very few people left living or willing to sign. I've kind of lost steam because now it's all about finding/buying the autos.

Two of the sets are modern and they're certainly easier, but no necessarily cheaper. I've found that fewer of the 1980's-on players are willing to sign for free so even TTM it becomes pretty expensive.

If I were you I'd start with something a little smaller and see if you really enjoy it.

sportsgraphing.com and startiger.com are two good auto sites.

Ironfan8 · November 12, 2008 7:03AM

I bought a 1982 Orioles Team signed ball at the mid-1990s National that was held in St. Louis (don't remember if it was 1995 or 1996). I was at another booth at the national and found a guy who had boxes of autographs (alphabetically sorted) of commons and decided at that moment to buy the baseball card of all the players on the ball (27 of them). I was able to get all but the "big 5" for about $2 each, so had a good start on my project. The ones I had to buy on ebay were Earl Weaver, Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray, and Cal Ripken Jr. ( I know, Brooksie did not play for the Orioles in 1982, but he was a sportscaster at the O's during that time and must have been in the locker room when it got signed - so I had to add his to the list). Probably 50% of the cards are on a 1982 card (topps, donruss or fleer). It took me until this year before I finally bought a Ripken signed card and It is a 1993 Donruss oversize card. Not a TTM, but still an accomplishment that took some doing to finish it up.

That said, any project of completing any set or subset can be a lot of fun!

CrimsonTider · November 12, 2008 7:10AM

once again, thanks to all for this info

leath, thank you for your offer but I happen to have a few stashed away in my childhood closet at my parents house (five minutes away), fortunately I passed on buying any basketball cards in 86 and focused on both Topps regular and mini's. Anyone need any good stock tips?

Considering a TTM auto complete set project

Comments