Notes: Shows in Toronto, Chicago; Tech Changes in the Hobby; Illegible Autographs

A couple of shows brought out autograph signers and collectors over the weekend. Some social media activity from the Sports Card Expo in Toronto and the Fanatics Authentic event in Chicago…

 

Having a blast at the Sport Card Expo in the International Centre. #sports as far as the eye can see! We’re representing #Barrie folks! #FanCave @sportcardexpo

A post shared by Fancave&WithoutAPaddle (@thefancavebarrie) on May 5, 2017 at 2:40pm PDT

THANKS @FrameworthSport connecting me with another #goaliesrock legend with @Bernieparent at @sportcardexpo #SignatureSunday #sportcardexpo pic.twitter.com/RUGDbRBLVK

— Stephen Cooper (@Coopaaloop) May 7, 2017

Busy day at the #SportCardExpo! Thanks to all the fans who came out today! Still going on case and wrapper redemption promotions!!! pic.twitter.com/Swl5sPTnxB

— Upper Deck (@UpperDeckSports) May 6, 2017

The nicest guy in hockey? Mr. Bower hard at work #sportcardexpo pic.twitter.com/kADyUOisx6

— Frameworth (@FrameworthSport) May 5, 2017

Gretzky rookie cards always come out of the woodwork at the Expo. Beckett Grading saw plenty of them:

Final #GretzkyCount for the #sportcardexpo is 65! And 2 fakes.#thehobby@beckett_grading

— Andy Broome (@cardgrader) May 7, 2017

Several members of the 2016 World Series champion Cubs (but not Kris Bryant or Anthony Rizzo) were signing autographs Friday night including Jake Arrieta, who was signing for the first time since the Series.

Packed house tonight for @Cubs night at Chicago #FAShows pic.twitter.com/G67nIDKK5A

— Fanatics Authentic (@FansAuthentic) May 6, 2017

Great night meeting the best @JArrieta34 ! Walker and I had a blast. Thank you to @FansAuthentic for a great show pic.twitter.com/U7L3Di6D2E

— D. Mike Wood (@DMikeWood) May 6, 2017

Illegible autographs are all the rage. It’s not just an American sports problem. In a recent column, Rob Vanstone of the Regina Leader-Post wrote about the good, the bad and the ugly autographs north of the border.

Engadget wrote about the hobby this week, focusing on the technology changes like smart tags for memorabilia. You can read their story here.

Related Stories:

Record Rookie: O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky Card Sold for $3.75 Million Notes: Photog Tells Story of Gretzky Rookie Card Current List of Top Selling Sports Autographs Arrieta Signs Autograph, Game-Worn Deal with Fanatics Collectors Turn Out for Autographs at Chicago Show Editor’s Blog: Time to Cut the Auto-Relic Cord? Fanatics Chicago Show Set for March 18-20

About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 40 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].