Pete Rose Autograph Still a Hit for Many

Pete Rose may have left Major League Baseball under a cloud of suspicion, but the rest of his illustrious career is still something to be proud of and commemorate. He was the ultimate switch-hitter, and a Pete Rose autograph is still a must for anyone putting together a collection of the greatest players of all time.

Rose bagged many awards in the major leagues, including World Series rings, Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and three batting titles. He has signed thousands of autographs, many for pay over the last 25 years, but his autographed jerseys, photos, bats, and baseballs remain fairly marketable.

Many people remember Pete Rose as he played the game, going full tilt, and often sliding perilously into home plate. He actually played for the Phillies and Expos late in his career, but most everyone remembers him as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.

You can keep memories of the “Hit King” by amassing and displaying a Pete Rose autograph collection. You will want to buy authenticated autographs, so you know you’re buying the genuine article. This is especially true if you are spending a good deal of money on a bat, ball or jersey. Reputable dealers carry everything from a batting helmet to a bobblehead.

You can purchase a Pete Rose autograph on so many various items, including frames, collages, collectibles that were used in games, baseballs and other memorabilia. Trading cards are quite popular, and, depending on the year, this can be a less expensive alternative for autograph collectors. Don’t have him sign your 1963 Topps rookie card, though. Vintage cards are worth more without an autograph.

Rose is still cranking out signatures for pay, and the resulting mini-glut in the market makes a Rose autograph relatively inexpensive. Don’t pay more than $50 for an authentic Rose autograph on a photo or ball. He’s in his 70s now and at some point, his flowing signature will deteriorate so it’s best to grab one now.

Autographed Nolan Ryan Memorabilia: Affordable Excellence

For those who grew up anytime from 1969 through the early 1990s, acquiring any autographed Nolan Ryan item was a huge deal.  The Express was one of the few pitchers capable of throwing a no-hitter any time, any place.  And he did it…seven times.

Nolan Ryan, the first baseball pitcher to earn one million dollars a year, is respected by fans both for his athletic skills and his character. Collecting autographed Ryan memorabilia makes a statement about the enduring values of American baseball.  The good news is that Ryan believes the more he signs, the less valuable his signature will be and the less money dealers who score freebies will make off him.  That’s good news for fans and collectors, making many nice Nolan Ryan autographed items affordable.  There are dozens of authentic Nolan Ryan autographs right now on eBay

Although most of Ryan’s career was spent in his native state of Texas, he began his career with the New York Mets, where his relief pitching helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Ryan then moved to the California Angels from 1972 through 1979. He played for the Houston Astros from 1980 to 1988. He is revered in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for his final excellent career years with the Texas Rangers, from 1989 to 1993, where in 1989 he become the only pitcher to record 5,000 career strikeouts.

Ryan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Collectors looking for affordable items would do well to focus on autographed Nolan Ryan memorabilia. One popular signed Nolan Ryan photograph portrays the memorable fight with Robin Ventura on August 4, 1993, shortly before Ryan retired. The signed photo is available in various sizes and has become a fan favorite. Ryan stated after the game that he used a similar maneuver on Ventura that he used when branding cattle on his Texas ranch in Texas. Many other photos and photo collages of Ryan and his career are available for astute collectors who wish to create a gallery of Nolan Ryan memorabilia.

In addition to photos, baseballs signed by Nolan Ryan are readily available. Jerseys, commemorative programs, autographed baseballs, bats, World Series photos, baseball cards and other excellent collectibles can be found with Ryan’s signature. Reputable sellers will provide a certificate of authenticity or some other proof that the signature on the collectible is really that of Nolan Ryan.

The great news is that if you respect and admire Nolan Ryan, you can still build a stunning collection of items that will highlight his career and emphasize the great enduring values of American baseball. Create a showcase of autographed Nolan Ryan memorabilia in your home and build an enduring collection of affordable excellence before scarcity and time take the opportunity away.

 

Baseball Autograph Collecting Tips

A true baseball autograph fan will have an eager approach to gaining signatures. For the older, valuable autographs, like Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, you will need to look at purchasing them from a reputable source. But if you’re into the current stars as well, like Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols, this can involve a hunt for the players at games and official signings.

Hall of Fame baseball stars whose tremendous careers are over are among the most popular of baseball autographs, but there are plenty of excellent players who have not yet been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and these tend to be a bit easier to obtain. Whatever autographs you seek, you need to find a reputable person or company to make sure your autographs are authentic. Much money has been lost on autographs that looked genuine, but were not.

You can find a baseball autograph in older autograph books, those being the books carried by people who “hounded” players for their signatures after the games. These books can be full of authentic autographs, since that was the goal of the books’ owners. The original hounds were often relentless, pushing their books into the faces of baseball players, and they often got their autographs that way.

Have a recognized sports autograph dealer check your baseball autograph collection to make sure that all the autographs are genuine.

Some wily sellers will acquire an old autograph book and then add old pages with forged names on them, to command a higher price. A recognized and reputable dealer can check each one to make sure that they are all genuine.

If you want to get a baseball autograph at a game, it can make your life as a fan even more enjoyable. Be sure you know each player’s name, if you want to try to snag a quick autograph. They know you’ll appreciate it more if you’re a dedicated fan who knows the team.

Keep a pen with you at baseball games. Players certainly don’t have pens with them when they are going in or out of the locker room. And be courteous. Treat the players like people, not like objects. Say please and thank you.

If you have a program for the game you are attending, that’s a great place to have players sign. A roster sheet will also work. You’re probably only collecting as a fan now, but if you wish to sell the autographs somewhere down the road, it looks better to have the signature on something that is directly related to the game.

Front row seats are a great place to get a baseball autograph, but that isn’t always possible. If there are players nearby who don’t need to be concentrating at a certain time, you can speak to them. Don’t harass them, though. The way that most autograph hounds get their signings is at the players’ entrance and exit. When they leave the park after the game, they are more relaxed and it’s easier to get a signature. They have more time when the game is done, too, since they aren’t in a hurry to get back to the dugout.

You can also attend autograph signings, especially if the team is in the playoffs or the player has a book he is promoting. These are excellent ways to get autographs, since that is specifically why the players are there. Baseball autograph collecting makes the game even more enjoyable for true fans.

Signed Team Baseballs Capture Slice of History

Signed team baseballs offer a snapshot of a given team at a precise moment in time.

Stars, semi-stars, and less heralded players are all represented equally. In fact, the autographs of many commons may be harder to come by individually than many stars. While the accomplishments of a team in a given season can be dubious like the 1988 Baltimore Orioles or glorious like a World Series Champion, baseballs autographed by a team represents those accomplishments equally.

Usually, the absence of a signature by a player can help define when a ball was signed due to the date of the transaction either by trade or free agency. Of course, the more stars or Hall of Famers on a team signed ball will result in a greater value and a higher price.

Finding an authentic team signed baseball in great condition can be a bit of a challenge, especially older balls. Because of the nature of the item, if all team members attempt to sign the ball right after one another smudges and smears were prone to happen. These defects not only affect the value of the ball, but may also make authentication more difficult.

Vintage signed items present a unique challenge. Depending on the price of the ball in question, a buyer may seek to have a third party authentication service certify the team signed baseball prior to completing purchase. However, a higher valued ball, for example the 1927 Yankees, will likely already have the necessary documentation proving its authenticity. One guideline however, a certificate of authenticity is only as good as the company providing it. Collectors should recognize the name, and perform some research before spending a lot of cash.

Team signed baseballs are a great way to recall a World Series year, a record year for wins, or other team accomplishment. Because collectors have favorite teams and favorite players, this type of collectible benefits both desires. Sometimes just reading the names (though handwriting is sometimes questionable) can help a collector recall each individual player and the ups and downs of a baseball campaign. The nostalgia can be somewhat overwhelming ten years down the road, as these great snapshots of history capture every player that was on the team at that specific moment.

Autographed Ted Williams Memorabilia

by Chris Houston

One of the most coveted baseball keepsakes–even for members of the current generation–is autographed Ted Williams memorabilia.

My Dad used to tell me that Williams was the greatest player he ever saw.  It didn’t seem to be any myth coming out of his mouth when he spoke these truisms.

Word of Ted Williams and his ability to hit just about any pitch spread very quickly well before the age of computers and social media.  He was one of those precious few players who was considered a legend while he was playing.  Williams didn’t seem to need any PR machine to become one of the greatest  players of all time.  Red Sox fans loved him beyond compare. and Williams’ long retirement allowed for him to corroborate many of the stories whispered among fans for years.

That’s why autographed Ted Williams memorabilia still remain at a premium these days. These days Williams is still fourth on the all time list for Career Batting Average with a .344 average. The buzz he created from many years ago still seems to remain in the form of his signed baseball memorabilia.

Those who watched the man play are still in awe of his ability to hit for average while knocking 521 balls out of the park. These days an autographed Ted Williams baseball can be found rather easily since he signed so many. An autographed Ted Williams jersey is a little harder to locate but not impossible.

The bottom line is the demand is still there for autographed Ted Williams memorabilia after all this time. That’s because of the grass roots campaign the last generation started thanks to just being in awe of one heck of a baseball player.

What happened at Fenway Park and around the rest of the American League from the late 1930s to the early 1960s  still has a huge impact on the pricing of sporting memorabilia in 2010.  Feats like hitting .400, winning all of those batting titles and ending his career with a home run put Williams in a place shared by few across more than a century of big league baseball.

When Ted Williams passed away in 2002, many baseball fans mourned the loss of one of the all time greats. Even those who didn’t like the Boston Red Sox or Williams had to admit #9 deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the game’s greatest icons. That’s why many still covet Williams signed items  to this day-even if they never saw him play.

Here’s a link to some authentic Ted Williams autographs on eBay right now.  These are items with a stamp of approval by PSA/DNA and James Spence Authentication.

The stories like my father told me aren’t done by the way just because we live in a different generation. As the years pass on, so will the grass roots effort of explaining the Ted Williams legend through stories and signed memorabilia. That’s why autographed Ted Williams memorabilia will tell stories by their mere existence for years to come.

Autographed Babe Ruth Items; Never Enough to Go Around

He’s been gone now for decades but autographed Babe Ruth items really aren’t that hard to find thanks to the Babe’s lifelong goodwill toward fans.

He signed thousands of autographs every year.  Before games, after games, and especially in public.

The Babe was no hermit.

He truly enjoyed being around fans and understood their importance to the success of professional baseball.  He also had a soft spot for kids having grown up in an orphanage.

You could argue that it was Babe Ruth signing baseballs that really kick-started the autographed baseball craze.  Signed baseballs have been around since the turn of the 20th century but Ruth made them into valuable collectibles to be treasured, not played with.

So why is it, then, that autographed Babe Ruth items are still worth four figures..sometimes more if they’re in pristine condition on a ball or bat?  The simple law of supply and demand.

Ruth’s star burns so bright even today that owning anything that he touched at one time–even for a few seconds–is very desirable to fans and collectors.  His larger-than-life story still plays well today.  The fact that he was a Yankee doesn’t hurt.

“I can’t keep Babe Ruth autographs in stock,” one dealer told me recently.  “Unless you price them at a level that doesn’t make sense, there are always buyers for Ruth signed items.”

Babe Ruth autographs have proven to be an excellent investment.  The last generation of people who remember him are now long-retired and seeking a connection with their past.  Modern collectors love to boast about having a signed Babe Ruth anything in their hobby room.

The cheapest way to buy an autographed Babe Ruth item is to purchase a cut signature, taken from a scrapbook or penned on a piece of ordinary paper.  You can then create your own framed baseball memorabilia if you like using the autograph as the centerpiece.  Signed Ruth baseballs will cost you more, but if they’re authenticated and if you’re not fussy about condition, you can pick up a lower grade ball for a few thousand dollars.  Photographs are plenty and nice ones are a really fabulous piece of the Babe to hang in your own baseball dugout.

 

Autographed Joe DiMaggio Memorabilia Offers Link to Yankees’ Past

For fans wishing to connect to the “Golden Era” of Yankee baseball, nothing serves as a better reminder than autographed Joe DiMaggio memorabilia.

The graceful, iconic predecessor to Mickey Mantle, the “Yankee Clipper” was regal in his approach to the game and fans were awestruck by the grace he displayed on and off the field.

“Joltin’ Joe” was a main cog in the Yankee Machine that won ten pennants and nine world series titles during his 13-year career. He was an All-Star every year during that span and won the MVP award three times including 1941, even though Ted Williams hit .401 that year.

Despite a career .325 batting average, DiMaggio stepped aside in 1951, claiming he had lost the needed intensity to play the game. His decision made room for another promising rookie to take his place, Mickey Mantle.

Autographed DiMaggio material is in great demand and commands a premium price as Yankee fans try to capture and display the greatness of a by-gone era.

An signed collectible item is a solid connection for the fan that can be put on display, rather than in a card album that has to be taken off of a shelf.  By displaying a ball or a bat in a protective covering, the fan can make sure that the item will remain undamaged and the autograph secure and protected. Given the cost of signed DiMaggio items these days and his place in Yankee lore, any damage to the autograph would be catastrophic.

He signed a lot of items, especially after his playing days ended when he was a guest on the autograph show circuit and did some private signings but a DiMaggio autographed bat can cost in the $1500-3,000 range and a jersey can go higher.  Signed DiMaggio baseballs can be found anywhere from $350-$800 or so with photographs in the $150-500 range.

You should always try to buy material that comes with a certificate of authenticity or tamper-proof hologram to protect against fraud and forgery.  Searching through the listings we have linked to here at Diamond Autographs offers the peace of mind that a trained authenticator has offered their opinion that the item is genuine.

Autographed DiMaggio memorabilia is a great gift item for Yankee fans of all ages  to display and cherish through the years and is a great way to reflect on the era in which he played.

 

Autograph Signings Offer One-on-One Opportunity

Pursuing sports autograph signings is nearly as exhilarating as the games you attend. Obtaining autographs is an exciting way to get close to your favorite athletes, whatever sport they play. It’s a way to show that you are a true fan, not only of a specific team, but of the best players in the game. Team balls are a perfect souvenir once you get them signed, and these balls may eventually be worth a good deal of money.

Before you attend sports autograph signings, allow yourself time to wait. If the athlete is popular, there may be lines of many people forming outside the venue where the signing will occur. If the area where the signing will be is a smaller venue, you may have to form lines, which certainly beats the alternative of pushing and shoving to see who gets up to the table first. Still, this means you need to watch the weather, because you may be standing outside for some time. Wear shoes and clothes that are comfortable, since you may be standing for awhile.

If you have an item already purchased that you would like signed, such as a ball or program, it’s best to take those with you, rather than count on there being items available for purchase at autograph signings. Sometimes they have items for sale, but they may run out before you get to the front of the line.

Be prepared to tell your favorite athletes what you’d like to have written on your souvenir item. If you can get more than just their names, that’s always a plus. A special message doesn’t need to take a long time to write, and it will make your autograph different from the rest, should you ever decide to sell it. In addition, it will make the item more special to you if it is personalized. A clever saying can be a good idea, if the athlete is signing more than just his name. You may want to make a note of what you’d like him to write with his name, because you may forget it when you come face to face with your all-time favorite player. At some paid autograph signings, you’ll have to fork over a little more to have an inscription added.

Autograph signings are not the place to get autographs for twenty of your closest friends, either. Even though your friends will want you to get an autograph for them, too, asking for a lot of them is usually annoying to the athlete, and it also is not fair to all those people standing behind you in line. At paid signings, you’ll pay for each autograph ticket so ‘extras’ aren’t possible. Try it and you’ll probably be asked to leave.

There are many ways to find local sports autograph signings. You can check the website of your favorite teams, or check sports autograph sites to see if there are any coming up in your area.

Is Mounted Memories Reputable?

Yes, it’s accurate to say Mounted Memories is a reputable autograph dealer.   Formed in 1988, the company was a quick riser from the beginning-quickly growing from a 500 square-foot operation to a company with multiple offices in major metropolitan cities.

Huge and steady growth just may be a major indication of how well respected Mounted Memories has become in the sports memorabilia industry.

Mounted Memories even claims the company is “the ultimate destination for sports memorabilia authentication”. Mounted Memories, according to various memorabilia analysts, isn’t doing anything to disprove that theory. The company serves as one of the more reputable sports card authenticators in the country.

This fast-growing company has already landed exclusive contracts with some of the contemporary giants in sports like Peyton Manning, Pete Rose, Dan Marino and Dick Butkus.

Mounted Memories also continues to make a name for itself by handling autograph sessions at major sports card collector shows around the country. Appearances from major names like Terry Bradshaw, Barry Sanders and George Blanda are not uncommon at their shows. The star power is extremely high with Mounted Memories-often packing shows with multiple big name athletes from a variety of different sports. The association of so many top name athletes with this company makes it extremely hard to overlook Mounted Memories as a major player in the Sports Collectibles industry.

If variety is your game, this company might be worth checking out. That’s because Mounted Memories isn’t limited to just standard sports like baseball, football and basketball. Mounted Memories is one of the few sports memorabilia authenticators to truly handle sports like Auto Racing and the PGA. Mounted Memories currently has autograph contracts with Jack Nicklaus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and many of the premiere NASCAR teams. The company has an open mind to the future and doesn’t just narrow choices to a particular sport.

Mounted Memories instead carries an incredible inventory of athletes with a wide variety of products associated with those players. The price levels also range in accommodation for the low level collector to the big time spender. Mounted Memories doesn’t just stop with sports authentication. The company also prides itself on acrylic display cases and high quality custom framing. These extras are more reason why many sports collectors turn to Mounted Memories.

Is Mounted Memories reputable?  No question.  If you’re interested in seeing some of the thousands of autographed items they have, visit Mounted Memories 24/7.

NFL Autographs: A Guide to Buying the Best

Across the board, prices for highly valuable baseball autographs are much more expensive than for NFL autographs.

This could possibly be due to the fact that baseball as an organized, competitive sport has simply been around longer than the NFL. It could also be due to a period of time when major League baseball was more popular than the National Football League. Whatever the reason, there are probably some currently exceptional values out there for the most desired NFL autographs. But you have to seriously search them out. Of course, if you want the best and the rarest, like anything else, you’re going to have to spend a little more.  But it’s certainly worth it if you’re a true, loyal NFL fan.

The most popular players all have definite criteria and niches. Certainly  Hall of Fame enshrinees are at the top of the list when it comes to NFL autograph collecting.   Players who’ve won one or more Super Bowls also rank high.

Statistical records leaders is another area that collectors use as a theme. Passing and receiving and rushing champions will head this list, so we’re talking about such elite players as John Unitas, Joe Namath, Otto Graham,  Sammy Baugh. And Jim Brown, Bronko Nagurski, Walter Payton, Dante Lavelli, Don Hutson, Lynn Swann, Paul Warfield, Fred Biletnikoff, and offensive lineman such as center Jim Ringo, guard Gene Upshaw, tackle Ron Mix, center Jim Otto, and defensive linemen Deacon Jones, Gino Marchetti, Alan Page and Merlin Olsen. Highly valued autographs from other NFL legends would include linebackers Sam Huff, Jack Hamm, Ray Nitschke and Dick Butkus, also defensive backs Mel Blount, Dick “Night Train” Lane, and Mel Renfro.

Not many people collect manager autographs in baseball, but football fans are a little different.  Not many would turn down an NFL signed item from the likes of  Vince Lombardi, George Halas, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, Paul Brown, Weeb Ewbank and Sid Gillman.

Other NFL autograph collection themes can center around Super Bowl champions, Pro Bowl MVPs, members of the NFL’s All-Time Team, linebackers, or quarterbacks.

Among the modern era icons that bring NFL autograph collectors to eBay listings in droves are  Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Steve Young, Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, Drew Brees,  Brett Favre, Dan Marino, John Elway, Terrell Owens, Bruce Smith, and the late Reggie White.

It’s very important to only purchase professionally authenticated NFL autographed items for your collection, as you can trust these sources more. There’s less chance of you wasting your money and getting ripped off.  Different autographed items will be priced differently.  You can look to purchase specific photographs, either action shots or static, posed head shots. Jerseys, helmets and autographed footballs are also mainstream when it comes to NFL autographs.

Pigskins can be in different conditions, so just because you can get a John Unitas autograph on an NFL football doesn’t mean it will be extremely valuable wherever you try to sell it. Quality condition is as important as who signed it and its rarity.

Most modern era authenticated items will be in good shape.  No one plays with an autographed football anymore like they may have done 40 or more years ago!  Still, don’t be afraid to ask for multiple photos of any item when you discuss purchase with a seller.

If you’re buying as a gift or may someday resell your item, it’s best to stick with the best you can afford.  The most popular player, the best quality item from the top authenticators with the cleanest, most eye-appealing signature you can find.  NFL autographs, like anything else, are best enjoyed when they are of high quality.

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