Nachos Grande's Autograph Survey

What is the best autograph you own?

I got this at the Diamond Giveaway site:

What is the best autograph that you've ever pulled from a pack of cards?

That is probably a tie between these three:




Notice a theme?

What is the worst autograph you've ever pulled from a pack of cards?

2004 Upper Deck Yankee Classics Kevin Maas.

Do you try to get autographs through the mail? If so, what sort of success (or failure) stories do you have?

No, I do not.

Addendum: I did send some cards off through the mail to be autographed at a live signing, but I don't do any TTM direct to players. I wrote about that signing here.

Who was the subject of your first ever autograph?

I can't remember who it was, only the situation. I got to go to a few Rochester Red Wing games growing up (in the old Silver Stadium) and we used to line up by the dugout to get our gloves signed. The glove, a Wilson Paul Blair model, is long since gone. And even if I had it, I am sure that the autographs would have worn off through use.

Do you actively collect any autographs (certain players, teams, brands, etc)?

Not at this time, although it might be fun to try to collect more autograph cards from the 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game set. Not sure how I would go about it other than buying them individually. Over the course, of a few boxes, I have managed to pull 2 Vida Blue autos. I'd hate to buy boxes and get more duplicates.

Which is better: Autographs or Relics?

Autographs. Unless you are talking some classic player, I think relics are overdone and, consequently, have little intrinsic or extrinsic value. For example, I pulled a Johnny Bench relic out of a Topps Lineage blaster this year that I threw up on EBay as part of my quest to accumulate funds to buy a Greats of the Game box. I managed to only get $10 out of it. Had I known it would go for so little I would have traded it to Nachos Grande (Sorry, guy.)

What do you think of cut autos?

Overall, I don't really care. I am more about card design than whether auto is on card, sticker or cut. For example, this is a lousy cut auto:


This is a nice cut auto:

What is your favorite autograph design (say in the last 5 years)?

Having only been back in the hobby a year, I probably am not the right person to answer, but I do like the 1952 style autos that came out in Lineage this year:

If you could get the autograph of any five people (dead or alive) who would you want a signature from (and why)?

1. Abraham Lincoln - I think he is the greatest President ever, and a fascinating individual. Read "Team of Rivals" some time to get a sense of the man.


2. James Madison - One of the primary authors of "The Federalist"


3. Alexander Hamilton - The other primary author of "The Federalist"


4. Roberto Clemente - A great ballplayer and an even better human being


5. Lou Gehrig - One of the greatest ever

So, there you have my contribution.