Hi from an upper Midwest born Texan in New Jersey!

[WickyScratch]

I've recently started collecting autographed and game used memorabilia, though many years ago I got into card collecting with my dad. Totally didn't think about mailing cards or whatever to get autographs.

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He got rid of most all of his inventory that was in storage (was damaged anyway), but kept a few boxes that had my name on them. I went through them when the COVID came, and found a few autographed cards I had, a couple of which were a player that I've never met, but am related to (3rd cousin or something). I stumbled across this site while researching the genealogical connection. Now I'm going through my old cards to pick players I want to try to mail to, and coming up with my own little projects like all players with my birthday, or players from the 87 or 91 twins, etc.

Looking forward to getting to know y'all, and the site, better!

[JFried1029]

WickyScratch- Welcome to SCF!

[camsue]

@WickyScratch Welcome to SCF if you need anything please let me know

[adiddle]

Welcome and good luck

[bakemeister52]

Welcome WickyScratch to SCF!

Bake

[etmill01]

Welcome to SCF...Ed

[*censored*]

Welcome @WickyScratch! Best of luck on the mailings. If you need any advice on it, I've been a TTMer since 2007 and an autograph collector on a serious level since 2003.

[creasecollector]

Welcome to the site!

[WickyScratch]

Thank y'all for the warm welcome! Haven't had as much time yet to poke much around the site yet, so I'm sure I'll end up with some questions I didn't even know I wanted or needed an answer to!

There are a couple things I would like to get some input and opinions/recommendations on from y'all, if I could.

1) What is your preferred method of card protection for when you mail (and hopefully get back)? I've read some folks just use cardboard to keep the envelope rigid, others use inexpensive hard plastic top load protectors, etc.?

2) Any recommendations/preferences on how/where to get multiples of a player card that is considered a common card? For example, if I wanted to just get 4 Dan Gladden cards? (Using him as an example, I have plenty :-)) I feel like it would be kind of expensive with shipping and markup and stuff, but I also don't want to buy a box of 89 Topps or something, and have all the extra cards I don't really want/need...

3) Which now has me wondering - what do y'all do with your unwanted/unneeded cards? Ive been going through my small collection and sorting by last name so I can find specific players more easily (I'm not a set building long of guy). And I realized just how many of I have of players I don't foresee mailing to, and I'm not sure how I feel about having a few boxes of cards just sitting in a shelf or something


Thanks again everyone!

[OriolesFan]

In regard to your questions ------------------------------ (1)In how to send cards, it depends on 'values' and/or the number of cards being sent. On most trades I use bubble mailers. However, I also use PWE's with cardboard, and write "Photo-do not bend" on the envelop. Most cards,bubble mailer and PWE, are in top loaders. The top of the top loaders are taped (so the card(s) won't come out. If in a PWE, the top loader(s) is/are taped to the back side of the cardboard. Using PWE,with cardboard and cards in top loaders, the cost is usually 70 cents to $1.10. Disadvantage to PWE, no tracking. Advantage to PWE, much cheaper (most cards in bubble mailers are now $4 or more).

In regard to #2, for here at SCF: Just post a thread, in the trading forum and/or the buy/sell forum of the sport the player play(s)/(ed). Include who and what you're looking for. The trade/deal, including shipping, hopefully can be worked out.

Concerning #3 --- There are a variety of things you can do:(1)keep them, hoping down the road you can trade and/or sell them --- OR ---(2)just throw them away/out (not advised, but some do) --- OR --- (3)give them away --- (4)have a really really good deal/trade to just get them moved out --- OR --- (5) trade as a "lot" or "lots" for "lot(s)" for a card,cards,or lot(s) of players/teams you're interested in --- OR ---(6) whatever I have forgotten to mention

Just a few thoughts to your questions. Have a good day, Rodney