I started collecting autographs back in the late 70's and in 1980 bought the Jack Smalling address list book. I also worked in the back room of a sports card store (under age) and helped out sorting through hundreds of cards they would find from garage sales and from peoples garbage. (remember those days?) Anyway, the store would have players come for autograph appearances and charge a small fee. 2-3 bucks tops. Those were the days when you could go to a sports card show and pay 5 bucks for Joe DiMaggio or see Gaylord Perry sit around and eat peanuts and get an autograph for free!

I remember being 10 and getting Eddie Mathews autograph and not really knowing who he was and someone saying "hold on to that autograph son someday it will be worth something". So even back then people knew what the value of those autographs would be in the future. The difference was it was easier to obtain them. In person and TTM. So my friends and set out to get all living HOFers TTM. And we did. Alot just before the past away. Paige, Grimes, Campenella, Drysdale, etc.

Now because of what I do for a living, I come in contact with alot of athletes. One of the biggest no-no's is to ask for autographs. It is hard sometimes when you are just sitting around alone with current and retired stars. Temptation is always on my mind believe me and yes I am guilty on a couple of occasions. What I like to do, while we are killing time, is to ask them questions about this very topic. I give them a little background as to who I have and how I've obtained them and get their feedback. Most are collectors themselves and gathered alot of sigs when they played. Some share stories of the guy who jumps out in the parking structure or there in the lobby of the hotel with a binder full of cards.
A few have told me they do not sign TTM or at signings because they don't need to.
They did their time and signed when the needed to and put that behind them. They occasional sig in the elevator or lobby is fine but not TTM.

I followed a famous hockey player around the city one day to see what it was like and believe me at times I would not want to be in his shoes. Scheduled and non scheduled appearances. Hordes of people polite and rude. And believe me he could tell who was looking to profit and who was the "little Mike". I have also had athletes tell me they sign their name differently depending on who they are signing for. One person may get a letter and a line and another may get the real deal.

So for now I send out the occassional TTM request but times have changed. The failure percentage is much higher than success.