The latest in a series of coffee table-type books focused on baseball cards and sports memorabilia will launch during this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs is the third volume in the set of award-winning publications authored by Tom and Ellen Zappala. It follows The T206 Collection: The … [Read more...] about 100 Greatest Baseball Autographs Book Set for Summer Release
autograph collector
Collector Turned Player: Tim Lynch Grew Up Chasing Autographs
One of America’s newest professional baseball players is also one of its biggest autograph hounds. Tim Lynch, the ninth-round pick of the New York Yankees in last week’s MLB Draft, spent his childhood and teenage years hanging around Roger Dean Stadium, securing autographs from big league players during spring training and minor league players later in the summer when the … [Read more...] about Collector Turned Player: Tim Lynch Grew Up Chasing Autographs
Autographed Card Request Returned…20 Years Later
If you’ve moved away from home, your parents have probably had to forward mail to you. Sometimes the change of address takes a while to catch up. Iowa collector Jeff Johnson recently received an envelope from home that took him back in time. The address on the envelope was written in his own hand, bearing a stamp from Valentine’s Day 1995. Inside was a hockey card, signed … [Read more...] about Autographed Card Request Returned…20 Years Later
George Brett vs. Persistent Autograph Seeker…and It’s Not Pretty
An autograph seeker who admits he's asked George Brett on nearly three dozen occasions and gotten at least 15 signatures took the brunt of the Hall of Famer's frustration this week and now the entire incident has gone viral. Brandon Farrens somehow learned of Brett's travel plans and tracked him down at Kansas City International Airport on Wednesday. "At the airport, he … [Read more...] about George Brett vs. Persistent Autograph Seeker…and It’s Not Pretty
SoCal Man Tracks Down Hall of Fame Autographs
Jim Smiley isn’t the type to brag about his collection, but you can count him among the hobby’s most passionate collectors. Like most who are involved in the hobby as adults, the southern California resident started with baseball cards and bubble gum. Years later, he acquired a Ty Cobb autographed check for a price that will blow your mind and a new collecting interest took … [Read more...] about SoCal Man Tracks Down Hall of Fame Autographs
30 Years Later, Smalling Still Publishing Autograph Book
Iowa autograph collector/dealer Jack Smalling first published his 'Autograph Collector's Handbook in 1980. It was a way to connect the growing legion of collectors seeking "TTM" or "through the mail" signatures with the athletes' home addresses. While other books had been published, Smalling took the process to the next level, updating his book every couple of years to … [Read more...] about 30 Years Later, Smalling Still Publishing Autograph Book