In this new, limited blog series, “20 Ways to Collect While Stuck at Home,” we offer ideas for enjoying your collection at times when a standard hobby experience is not possible. Illness, financial constraints, or any number of factors might temporarily keep collectors from participating…
Autographs
Want a breakdown of the various signature styles of Mickey Mantle throughout his career, or a profile on some of the scarcest autographs in the hobby? Here’s where you would start.
Bidding on Rare Abraham Lincoln Signed Portrait Photo Closes January 16
Note: This entry was updated on January 17, 2020. Authentic Abraham Lincoln autographs are hard to find. And when one surfaces, it can often fetch a steep price at auction. These can vary from an Abraham Lincoln autographed letter…
Jose Altuve: Houston’s ‘Little Big Man’ Continues His Hobby Surge
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve stands just five feet, six inches tall. He tips the scales at 165 pounds, soaking wet. But his impact on Major League Baseball games, namely postseason contests since 2017, cannot be overstated. He…
Who Wants a Fascinating TTM Autograph Project?
TTM = Through the Mail I’ve always found hobby projects to be most enjoyable when they have a specific theme and force me to learn something new while adding items to my collection. Of all the different manners in which…
Does a Player’s Autograph Add Value to His Card?
Ever since I entered this great hobby, I’ve been collecting on-card autographs. The majority of them I got signed in person. I’ve always found it fascinating to watch a player sign his cursive, and then see if he adds…
Just What Does the HOF Mean for Rookie Cards?
How many times have you been considering a card purchase when the dealer said something to the effect of, “It’ll go up once he gets into the hall of fame.” It happened to me pretty frequently when I was…
Celebrating Mickey Mantle’s Hobby Impact 24 Years After His Death
The first time I met Mickey Mantle I was standing on the dais at the first-ever, Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) kickoff press conference luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The date was Tuesday, Sept. 22,…
Best of the Best: All-Time NBA Autographs
With the NBA postseason heading toward the NBA Finals with (who else?) the Golden State Warriors representing the Western Conference and awaiting the winner of the Toronto Raptors/Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Final, now is the perfect time to look back…
The Evolution of Tiger Woods’ Autograph
Having clinched his 15th major last month, Tiger Woods is once again topical and relevant. Despite personal troubles, four back surgeries and just as many knee surgeries over the past decade, Tiger’s march back to prominence culminated with his…
The Evolution of Derek Jeter’s Autograph
Retired New York Yankees Captain and current Miami Marlins owner Derek Jeter was a creature of habit on the baseball field. During every at-bat, he looked pitches all the way into the catcher’s mitt. He leaned in or away…