Aug
For those of you who are new to this hobby / profession you will find it can be hugely rewarding, fun and entertaining ‘industry’ to be involved in. I use the word ‘industry’ deliberately here – it can be like any other industry out there. There are your time wasters, those who are great to deal with and the inevitable pains in the behind! Money can be made (and lost too), and there are the inevitable ‘highs and lows’. But most of all it can be hugely exciting – and that’s what keeps our interest!
There are a number of articles listed on the site – please feel free to have a look around and I hope you pick up some useful information that will assist you with your collection, or help make you more profitable.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to do my ‘sell’. Now, it’s not a hard sell. I’m not sure it could even be seen as ‘firm’! It’s more of a personal preference that I want to share.
Assuming you get the chance to actually obtain an autograph yourself at some stage – in person – then the question of ‘what to get signed’ arises. Now, clearly there are a number of different alternatives. Skin has a few major drawbacks as you can imagine. Exposing excess flesh to be autographed to some poor, unsuspecting player may not be their ideal start to the day! Plus, it will have no benefit to any collection. Best leave this one to the guys who’ve had a ‘few too many’ at the game…
Pictures are always a great option. These can be framed and can look brilliant if you obtain a clear signature on a quality picture. However, unless you are carrying around pictures of all your ‘targets’ for the day this can be a little limiting. The team photo can work well – if of sufficient proportions. 20 signatures on an 8×10 is going to look a little cluttered to say the least.
Shirts are another great option. You can obviously put numerous autographs on one shirt, and when mounted can look fantastic. These are very popular aswell and can be an excellent addition to any collection.
And my preference? Well, it has to be the ball. Now, there are a number of options here. The full size ball. The official match ball. The collectors’ full size ball etc. Wilson has produced some superb football autograph balls especially with the collector in mind. There’s plenty of room for numerous autographs, with white panels specifically designed for this purpose. (Yes, you can actually see the autograph clearly!) And best of all they also look fantastic.
There’s something particularly satisfying about being able to pick up a signed ball (carefully) and look it over closely that you can’t do with some of the aforementioned alternatives. They also stand out brilliantly if displayed on small stands, or are cased I glass (for the extra special pieces). Just imagine a number of these quality balls on the mantelpiece or in the display cabinet. A little more impressive than auntie’s spoon collection, I’d have to say! (No offence intended to the spoon collecting aunties out there).
At the end of the day it is absolutely the preference of the collector – but if you are leaning towards my thinking then check out the Wilson NFL Mini Autograph Football here and grab one today! That’s the end of the sales pitch. Whatever you choose make sure it is of good quality, and will last. Spend a little bit more if it means you get a better end product – especially if you intend doing this for commercial reasons. If for a personal collection it pays to think long-term too. If you want to pass this onto a relative / friend then make a point of buying something that will last over the years. Remember - the choice is very much yours.
Clever..
Check out Joe Montana signing autographs at Steiner Sports in New Rochelle, NY in November 2007. To see the entire Montana collection go to: http://www.steinersports.com
