Autograph Essay Questionnaire

[BlueJaysRock]

Hey everyone I'm currently attending class at the University of Toronto and I have chosen to do an essay topic on the autograph. If you could take the time to share some insight and answers these questions it would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time!

1.) Why are you involved in autographs?

2.) What are your most common means of attaining autographs?

3.) Does the amount of effort put into the signature have value to you?

4.) Would you consider buying an autograph without authentication from a
major company?

5.) Why does the cost of grading at a company such as PSA vary depending on the autograph?

6.) What brand of baseball do you prefer to get autographs on?

7.) What marker do you prefer to use?

[lambeauleap87]

1) Relatively inexpensive hobby that brings me closer to the game and players that I enjoy watching.

2) In person, mainly at baseball games.

3) Yes

4) No

5) Profit margin

6) Rawlings Official Major League Baseballs

7) Blue fine point Sharpie

[Yankeesfan428]

1) Fun and exiting hobby, the thrill of the chase paired with meeting players keeps me going

2) Mostly in person, at practices, games, sometimes hotels. A little bit through the mail as well

3) Yes

4) No

5) Good question, not too sure, but I would agree with the above answer

6) Rawlings Official Major League Baseball

7) Blue Sharpie, fine point. Nearly flawless

[soc4yankees]

1.) Why are you involved in autographs?
Cool thing to do, keeps me busy. Learn more about baseball in general and the players.

2.) What are your most common means of attaining autographs?
Through the Mail as well a a little in person and card shows.
3.) Does the amount of effort put into the signature have value to you?
Yes
4.) Would you consider buying an autograph without authentication from a
major company?Possibly, depends who and price

5.) Why does the cost of grading at a company such as PSA vary depending on the autograph?
Same as lambeauleap87 answer
6.) What brand of baseball do you prefer to get autographs on?
ROMLB or minor league balls
7.) What marker do you prefer to use?
Bic blue pen, or blue sharpie

hope this helps

[mrveggieman]

Hey everyone I'm currently attending class at the University of Toronto and I have chosen to do an essay topic on the autograph. If you could take the time to share some insight and answers these questions it would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time!

1.) Why are you involved in autographs? Mainly for fun. I can probably count on 1 hand the amount of my IP or TTM autos that I sold or traded. 2.) What are your most common means of attaining autographs? IP at games or ttm3.) Does the amount of effort put into the signature have value to you? Not really4.) Would you consider buying an autograph without authentication from a
major company? No5.) Why does the cost of grading at a company such as PSA vary depending on the autograph? The more popular the player and the rarer his/her auto will naturally increase the demand for the service and therefore the price of authentication.6.) What brand of baseball do you prefer to get autographs on? I don't do a lot of baseball but if I were to get an IP baseball my preference would be an official MLB ball but I will use whatever I have available at the time. 7.) What marker do you prefer to use? Black or blue sharpie on cards but my buddies have put me on the the bronze sharpie. On baseballs I will go with ball point pen.

Responses in bold. Good luck on your project and keep us posted on how it turns out.

[yankeesfan1324]

1.) Why are you involved in autographs?

Because they are one of the few ways to collect cheaply and give you a special connection to the players. I have found myself rooting for the players that signed for me, even if I don't like their team.

2.) What are your most common means of attaining autographs?

TTM, mailing out 3 or so cards

3.) Does the amount of effort put into the signature have value to you?

Less of the effort, but mainly the amount of times I had tried. If a player turned me down IP 10 times, the auto means more than if I got it signed on the first try

4.) Would you consider buying an autograph without authentication from a
major company?

If it was very cheap, yes, but if I was spending any decent amount of money I would need an authentication

5.) Why does the cost of grading at a company such as PSA vary depending on the autograph?

If a player signs everything, they won't spend much time on the authentication because they know there is no reason to fake it. On players that are commonly forged, they need to spend more time and resources to make sure it is real.

6.) What brand of baseball do you prefer to get autographs on?

The best is a Rawlings baseball (MLB, AL, or NL, or MiLB) but for lower caliber players, I use cheaper ones.

7.) What marker do you prefer to use?

For baseballs, just a blue pen. For others, blue sharpie.

[Rj_PSU]

1.) Why are you involved in autographs?
I really big fan. I enjoy meeting the players and autographs go along with it.

2.) What are your most common means of attaining autographs?
In person and TTM. I also purchase pack-pulled.

3.) Does the amount of effort put into the signature have value to you?
Yes. There's a story behind every autograph.

4.) Would you consider buying an autograph without authentication from a
major company?
Yes - If it's someone I desperately need.

5.) Why does the cost of grading at a company such as PSA vary depending on the autograph?
Don't know and don't care. I don't grade my autos. I know they're real and that's all that matters to me.

6.) What brand of baseball do you prefer to get autographs on?
I don't do baseball. I do football. I use any brand of cards. Even odd balls.

7.) What marker do you prefer to use?
Sharpie Blue Fine

[dhuxos]

1 it seems like it brings me closer to the game
2 ttm
3 Yes
4 maybe
5 my understanding is that the better the player, the more the auto could be sold for, and the company wants a set percentage of the sell value
6 havent really graphed on balls yet
7 fine blue sharpie

[acarter13]

1.) Why are you involved in autographs?
It brings me closer to the game and I find it extremely fun

2.) What are your most common means of attaining autographs?
IP and TTM

3.) Does the amount of effort put into the signature have value to you?
Yes

4.) Would you consider buying an autograph without authentication from a
major company?
Yes

5.) Why does the cost of grading at a company such as PSA vary depending on the autograph?
Not sure

6.) What brand of baseball do you prefer to get autographs on?
ROMLB

7.) What marker do you prefer to use?
Blue Fine Point Sharpie

[RealBrianD]

1) it's fun and exciting. It provides a direct link to them men doing what I dreamed of doing for a living but didn't have the talent or discipline needed.
2) either at signing events or through the mail. Mainly through the mail
3) not really. However, I do appreciate it when it is neater and legible and don't look rushed or scribbled without care.
4) ABSOLUTELY NOT! There is a "big 6" of authentic actors and if it isn't from them I don't waste my money. Only exception is if I buy something that I directly witnessed being signed. That's the only way. OR if someone can provide proof that it's legit, ex: a ticket stub with pictures of item being signed.
5) the higher the value, the more work that goes into verifying that it's authentic, and the more pressure there is to get it right. If thousands of dollars are on the line, one wrong call destroys your companies legitimacy. Ex: Ted Williams died years ago, and his son signed items as his dad. Psa has to determine exactly who signed, while a buyer waits with a $1400 check if it's real.
6) Rawlings Official Major League ball for higher end autographs, or a Rawlings "CROLB" for lower tier guys. The CROLB is a fine ball, still has a genuine leather cover and the signatures hold really well.
7) For baseballs- a blue, ball point Bic.
For photos, cards, or jerseys- A blue or black Sharpie. I prefer blue but if it's black that's fine too.
I sincerely hope this helps you out buddy. Good luck on your paper!