Kevin Keating is PSA’s principal autograph authenticator. He evaluates and inspects thousands of autographs every year on behalf of PSA and routinely offers his services on the road. Recently, Keating was invited to appear on an episode of “American…
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.
Autograph Collecting 101
When it comes to acquiring athletes’ signatures, there are plenty of ways to go about the pursuit. After several decades of collecting autographs, I’ve discovered that honesty and politeness can go a long way. By honesty, I mean ask…
Gridiron Glory: The Lost Art of Signing
Throughout 30 years of covering, researching and writing about this great hobby, I’ve discovered one indisputable truth. The level of penmanship practiced by professional athletes has waned considerably. Is the habit of signing one’s name a lost art? Maybe…
Three PSA-Authenticated Items Lead the Way at Auction
Robert Edward Auctions (REA) completed its 2018 Fall event this past weekend and some impressive figures were recorded. Three of the auction’s top-selling lots included baseball-related gems that were each authenticated and graded by PSA. From a T206 Ty…
Perfect Penmanship: Recognizing Six Quality Autographs
There have been countless lists compiled surrounding baseball autographs. Many of them have to do with the highest prices realized at auctions, while others focus on the popularity of the players themselves. But what I’d like to do with…
Postseason Ink: Top National League Signatures
The Hunt for October is upon us. The 2018 MLB Playoffs are in high gear as the best clubs continue to slug it out to compete in this year’s Fall Classic. Over the past 10 days, in fact, the…
Postseason Ink: Top American League Autographs
It’s October and that can only mean one thing: the MLB postseason is in full swing! This week, in fact, the games began with the National League Wild Card game batting leadoff yesterday between the Colorado Rockies and Chicago…
Collecting Autographs Through the Mail
There are many ways for hobbyists to add to their autograph collections. Participating in private signings, attending personal appearances, visiting hotels where celebrities are staying and purchasing PSA-authenticated signatures from hobby dealers are all legitimate ways to build a…
How the Hobby Led to a HOF Campaign
While acquiring new cards is a key tenet of having a collection, I have found that the connections we make in the hobby are as important and enjoyable, if not more so, than the cards themselves. Back in December…
Building Themed Collections
There are infinite ways to build an autograph collection, but in my experience the hobbyists who have themes and goals seem to derive greater enjoyment out of their hobby than those who collect without guidelines. That is not to…