IP-Chicago and burbs:arfmax:2018

[kclj520]

Excited to see Fridge and Bortz, love the 85 Bears, will never forget that season!

God Bless,
Kevin

[arfmax]

A friend of mine told me yesterday about an appearance at a bank in Lake Villa, IL by former Chicago Bears legend Dan Hampton. I had 3 Hampton cards in my former Bears stack, so I went to the event, and Danimal signed all three, plus they were giving out free Photofile photos, which Mr. Hampton signed as well, and inscribed with HOF 2002, which I have heard he stopped doing at free signings recently. Anyway, always nice to see a Hall of Famer.

Photo of the Dan Hampton autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pshrpc7mo4.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 337

[arfmax]

I rarely do wrestling signings, but for some reason, I decided to do this one. I bought an action figure from eBay and a card, and went to a cell phone store in Harwood Heights for a meet and greet with WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss. I got there about an hour and 45 minutes before the event started, and was 197 in line. In all the years of signings, this was easily one of the top 5 crowds I have ever seen. At least 500 people in line. Anyway, eventually, I was able to get inside, and get a card and an action figure signed, for free.

Photo of the Bliss autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pskw7pcwsp.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 339

[chrisborene]

Nice job getting bliss, I wish wwe would do/promote more of these signings, even in so cal we don’t get many free ones, although we get a crap load of paid signings

[arfmax]

Yesterday, went to a grocery store in Milwaukee, WI, for an appearance by Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe. Mr. Bledsoe signed three cards for me, for free.

Photo of the Bledsoe autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pslpkcbtko.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 342

[arfmax]

Today, the ESPN Radio station in Chicago celebrated it's 20th anniversary, and all of the radio shows were live from a bar in Libertyville, IL, including Mike Golic and Trey Wingo, who were taking their jumbo bus to the Notre Dame game tomorrow. I went for the end of the show, and got Golic to sign 3 cards for me, for free.

Photo of the Golic autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psayafmrab.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 345

[arfmax]

Went to a food store in Wauconda, IL today for an appearance by former Chicago Bears center Jay Hilgenberg. Mr. Hilgenberg signed the three cards I brought, and signed a promo 5x7, for free.

Photo of the Hilgenberg autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4ha44hed.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 349

[arfmax]

Started the evening at a taping of a weekly Chicago Bears show, with special guest Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller. After the show, Mr. Miller signed two cards for me, for free.

Photo of the Zach Miller autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...psm05pzr2a.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 351

[arfmax]

After Miller, I went to a bar and wings restaurant in Gurnee, IL, for an appearance by Chicago Blackhawks announcers Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk. There were a surprising amount of people there, but I had Mr. Foley sign one promo 5x7, and Eddie O. signed 3 cards for me, for free.

Photo of the Foey and Olczyk autos:
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...pssbegcsfa.jpg

-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 355

[arfmax]

Sunday, I went to an appearance by the hosts of a Bears pregame internet show and postgame TV show, former Chicago Bears Alex Brown, Lance Briggs, and Matt Forte. I was able to get 1 autograph on a card from each player, including a Forte card I have been holding onto for years to get signed.

Photo of the Forte/Briggs/Brown autos:
https://beta-static.photobucket.com/...080&fit=bounds


-arfmax
Total IP autographs in 2018: 358