Hints and Tips for collectors of Autographs!

1.   Always include a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope).  This is a common hint, but for the new collectors out there, they may not know that you need to include a sase.

I alwasy put my return address on the SASE.  You never know when our beloved USPS will mess things up.

2.   Never send anything you can't afford to loose.  Many players just don't sign.  I would hate to loose anything valuable.

3.  Make sure you have the correct address.  For home addresses I suggest using  Harvey Meiselman's lists.  They are hands-down the best lists out there.  Jack Smalling's lists used to be pretty good, but they can't touch Harvey's list.  Any real autograph collector must have the Meiselman's list.   Team addy's can be found here on Sport Collectors Digest's site.

The below hints (rants) are my personal beliefs.  If you have a problem with them simply email me, and we can discuss them.

4.   Always be polite.  I know for a fact that some players actually do read the letter.  Be polite, say please and thank you.

5.  On the other hand, DON'T SEND A FORM LETTER.  Have a little originality.  Say something that's unique about the player.  Believe it or not, the players probably receive many letters that look and sound alike.  Dare to be different. 

6.  A little bit against what I said in my previous post, I don't think it matters if you hand write or type the letters.  What is more important is to make the letter stand out.  If the player is a tough signer, hand writing may be the way to go.

7.  PLEASE, PLEASE understand that not every player/person will sign.  I look at thru the mail autograph collecting as legalized gambling.  Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.  If I really need an autograph that bad, I will purchase it.

8.  I truely believe that this hobby is slowely changing for the worse.  Please remember what you do in terms of collecting affects others.  If you act like a jerk, the player may not sign anymore.  If you hound a player with 30 cards and it ticks him off, you just made collecting harder for all of us.

9.  This one comes as a result of an email I received.  A ghostsigned card and or a stamped card is not a success.  If the player himself did not sign the card then it's considered a failure in my book.

10.  Make use of the Web.  (Hopefully my site first)  There are numerous great autograph/collecting website out there.  Before I even think of sending a request out, I search a couple of websites out to see if there are any reported successes from the player.  Good sites can be found on my links page.

11.  Patience-Patience-Patience.  Don't expect a busy athlete to sign your cards in a week.  Sometimes is happens, sometimes it takes years to get a success back.  Don't give up on a request.

12.  Learn the traits of a ghostsigned, stamped or autopenned card.  Once you do, you will be surprised about how much crap is sold on ebay and other sites. It will also teach you what athlete uses these techniques to "please" his fans.

Pretty much anything and everything baseball can be found here at:

This will update/changed when I am either asked new questions or something pops in my head.  Once again, take these with a grain of salt.  These are my personal opinions.  I am a very passionate/opionionated person, so be ready.

1.  What do I say in my letter?

Say what you want.  Easy answer. Well, not really.  I usually tell the player about my self.  I explain (don't lie) that I am a fan of the sport/team/his.  I tell the player that I would love to add his autograph to my collection.  I usually ask him to personalize one card to myself or my son.  I always conclude the letter by saying thanks.

2.   How do you pick who to write to?

Depends on my mood, the sport, how my successes have been.  If I am in a dry spell, I will usually send off a couple of requests to "sure-fire" signers.  I also have little side projects I am working on, like former Michigan Wolverines, and former Boston Red Sox players.

3.    What is a CIC?

Great question.  A CIC stands for custom index card.  Which basically means a plain white index card custamized the way you want it.  When I include CIC on my site, my cards are not really index cards, but normal sports card size homemade cards.  I use photoshop elements 4.0 and make my own cards.  This is one of my new passions.  I have had pretty good success with players signing these for me.  Most players will not sign plain white index cards.

4.  Can you make some homemade cards for me?

At this time no.  I only make the cards for my self.

5.  Why won't you give out more than one home address?

Well, this is where I get upset.  The way I see it. Harvey Meiselman put the time in to find the addresses.  I put the money in to purchase his books.  Why should I give out free addresses?  Is this mean, not really.  I have no problem giving out 1 address per person per week.  If you need more, I will gladly sell you 3 addresses for a dollar each.  If this sounds good to you, simply email me and we will talk.

6.  Why are there some addresses you just won't give out?

You caught me.  Call me a little selfish.  This is the deal.  There are some addresses for players that are not listed in Meiselman's list, or are some other semi secret addresses that I have researched and found.  More often than not I won't give them out for free.  If you catch me in a good mood, I will help you out.  If you need some of these addresses, see my sales offer above.

7.  Why are you so mean?

Huh, just joking.  I know that I sometimes will rub people the wrong way with some of my comments or opinions.  I am more inclined to help out new collectors, because I was once one my self.  For you more expierenced collectors, you would be surprised at the amount of information is avaiable on the net.  This includes addresses.  So if you do a little research, you should be able to find it.  Honestly, I love using Meiselman's book, but the satisfaction of finding a home adddress for a player not listed (and it working) is an awesome feeling.

8.  Why won't (insert name here) sign for me?

Face it, some guys will just not sign.  It sucks, but such is life sometimes.  You will rarely see me even try most of the big name atheletes ttm.

9.  Are any of your autographs for sale or trade?

This is the deal, most are for trade or sale, if I have dups or really want something else.  I don't have a trade list.  If you see something you like, make me an offer.  On a side note, I do plan on having a for sale page with both autographed and non autographed cards for sale.

10.  Will active players sign c/o their home in the offseason?

Some will and some won't.  I generally try to give the players some respect and don't send to their homes.  Also current players have a habit of moving, so many addresses just aren't current.

11.  Where do you get your addresses for college players?

The vast majority of my college successes come from writing to the respective athletics department.  You can usually find the schools address on their website. 

12.   Which college players sign?

Many schools are clamping down on their students signing autographs.  Here is a short list of schools that are very difficult (imo) to get signatures back from.  (this is just my opinion, I have seen successes reported from these schools occasionally)

Texas-  hit or miss with football, with baseball being a little better.

Florida- on their website, they say they will not forward mail.   I have never received a success back from the Gators.

Florida State

Georgia-   won't forward mail

Miami-  there are more and more successes being reported from the Hurricanes.

13.  Do you have any secrets for getting college players to sign?

Well, it wouldn't be a secret if I told you would it.  I often find that for college players, sending to them during their offseason, may be a good time to try to get them to sign.

Another secret is to get the next superstar before their stars.  Get them when they are freshman.

14.  How do I get the gloss off the cards?

There are several ways to do this.  Some people rub baby powder on the cards.  Other poeple rub an eraser over the glossy part.  I have heard of people rubbin the card pretty firm over jeans to remove some of the gloss.