Why the fascination with autos/auto cards?

[flightposite]

Too me it seems that too much emphasis is put on the autograph in the sports card industry. When a player is dead and gone, he will have left literally hundreds of thousands of autographs... Why do people care so much if their card is autographed?

I'm sure some of you will say that it brings you closer to the player, he touched that card. Well, sticker autos have been serving the same purpose in the industry for years now and most would still take a sticker auto'd rookie 100x over a nice looking base rookie.

I think that the importance placed on the auto has grown too much in the industry. Doesn't anyone like just a nice plain rookie with not auto or game used? That's what makes the iconic cards in the industry iconic. When you think about it, isn't an auto sort of dumb anyway? I mean, you are adding meaning to something because someone just scribbled there name on it (and in most cases, I do mean scribbled).

Just a thought... I know about 99% of people are going to disagree, so please, tell me why autos are so great.

 

[predatorkj]

I like autos because it affords me a chance to get an autograph of a player I would otherwise have a hell of a time obtaining.Hence why they mean something to me.A rookie card auto makes it even better because if the player ever becomes really hot...thats the card to have auto'd for sure.

 

[flightposite]

I like autos because it affords me a chance to get an autograph of a player I would otherwise have a hell of a time obtaining.Hence why they mean something to me.A rookie card auto makes it even better because if the player ever becomes really hot...thats the card to have auto'd for sure.

I think you are missing the point of my post. I stated those two things you said. I am asking why the industry has grown such a affinity for guys scribbling their names on stuff. Why can't an unsigned card be as nice as a signed one.

 

[scotty21690]

I like autos because it affords me a chance to get an autograph of a player I would otherwise have a hell of a time obtaining.Hence why they mean something to me.A rookie card auto makes it even better because if the player ever becomes really hot...thats the card to have auto'd for sure.

I think you are missing the point of my post. I stated those two things you said. I am asking why the industry has grown such a affinity for guys scribbling their names on stuff. Why can't an unsigned card be as nice as a signed one.

I like cards without autos...vintage.

But autographs on vintage cards spice them up a bit!

 

[predatorkj]

I like autos because it affords me a chance to get an autograph of a player I would otherwise have a hell of a time obtaining.Hence why they mean something to me.A rookie card auto makes it even better because if the player ever becomes really hot...thats the card to have auto'd for sure.

I think you are missing the point of my post. I stated those two things you said. I am asking why the industry has grown such a affinity for guys scribbling their names on stuff. Why can't an unsigned card be as nice as a signed one.

Not sure.I just personally feel its pretty cool to have a singed card rather than an unsigned one.I like both but honestly...which would you rather have.The industry knows this so they churn them out left and right.

 

[bballcardkid]

I like autos because it affords me a chance to get an autograph of a player I would otherwise have a hell of a time obtaining.Hence why they mean something to me.A rookie card auto makes it even better because if the player ever becomes really hot...thats the card to have auto'd for sure.

I think you are missing the point of my post. I stated those two things you said. I am asking why the industry has grown such a affinity for guys scribbling their names on stuff. Why can't an unsigned card be as nice as a signed one.

In all seriousness, because we as collectors are spoiled. First it was a rookie card, just normal, then an SP'd RC, then a serial numbered RC, then I guess an auto'd RC, then an auto'd material RC, then a combination of all of these. The companies created this, not the collectors. They create the stuff, all of which is perceived to be better than just a normal RC, and collectors like the better stuff.

 

[hive17]

I think it's the rareness of the thing. there are SO MANY cards produced now-a-days, that at leaast the auto makes it slightly more rare. And it's rare in a way that the player contributed to; not some machine-stamp'd number on the back of a card.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

i have no problem with un-auto'd mlb rookie cards.

 

[beefycheddar]

If it's someone I like I could care less about auto or not for a rookie. In fact if there is a sticker auto and no auto no sticker version I would rather have the one with no auto.

 

[wideright]

Because getting close to sports heroes, celebrities, and famous people has always been a fascination with "common" people, regular folks. Since the beginning of time, meeting someone who has been elevated in society to a point where everyone knows your name is a special occurance, one that brings a memory to share and pass along. "I met so and so when I was fifteen..." tells a grandpa to his grandson. That grandpa made a brief connection with that well-known person. What else does he have? Well he got that person to sign something, now he has something tangible to pass along as well which makes the story even more believable and special.

So, an autograph is not just a scribbled name on something. It's the connection between the player that's on the card, memorablilia, photo, whatever, and the person who owns it. I know I'll never meet Nolan Ryan or Bob Feller face to face, but I know I have a card that both gentlemen have held and added their name to, in their own handwriting. And now it's in my possession, and it will be in my kids' possession someday, and so on. As corny as it sounds, to me that's what makes autographed cards special.

Now for people looking to make money, it's obviously where the money is at in this day and age. So to them it's nothing more than a means to an end.

 

[Brett Keith]

That's what makes the iconic cards in the industry iconic.

The iconic cards aren't iconic because they lack an autograph or game used piece, and they'd still be iconic if they did have them, just nobody thought of it at the time.

As for the "it's just somebody's name" thought, anything can be made to seem insignificant if really broken down. It's this thinking that keeps the anti-depressents a sellin'.

 

[sportscardtheory]

A non-autographed card is also "just a name" printed on a piece of cardboard. Autographs add something to a card and don't take anything away. If Topps released a certified auto version of the 1952 Mantle, that would be worth more because the auto would add to it an extra dimension of collectibility.

 

[Big Mac McGwire]

for me, it brings a rush back, just like when the player is walking towards you after BP ready to sign. An autographed card...there are so many reasons. Why buy a unsigned card when you can have one autographed.

 

[gamedaygator]

Does anyone know the process of how a manufacture obtains each autograph weather it be on sticker or on card? Do they send the stickers or cards to the player and then in turn they are sent back to the manufacture? What steps are in place to insure that the autographs are "real"?

 

[Musial Collector]

Because getting close to sports heroes, celebrities, and famous people has always been a fascination with "common" people, regular folks. Since the beginning of time, meeting someone who has been elevated in society to a point where everyone knows your name is a special occurance, one that brings a memory to share and pass along. "I met so and so when I was fifteen..." tells a grandpa to his grandson. That grandpa made a brief connection with that well-known person. What else does he have? Well he got that person to sign something, now he has something tangible to pass along as well which makes the story even more believable and special.

So, an autograph is not just a scribbled name on something. It's the connection between the player that's on the card, memorablilia, photo, whatever, and the person who owns it. I know I'll never meet Nolan Ryan or Bob Feller face to face, but I know I have a card that both gentlemen have held and added their name to, in their own handwriting. And now it's in my possession, and it will be in my kids' possession someday, and so on. As corny as it sounds, to me that's what makes autographed cards special.

Now for people looking to make money, it's obviously where the money is at in this day and age. So to them it's nothing more than a means to an end.

Come up to Twinsfest and you can.

 

[Viking4Alpha]

Because getting close to sports heroes, celebrities, and famous people has always been a fascination with "common" people, regular folks. Since the beginning of time, meeting someone who has been elevated in society to a point where everyone knows your name is a special occurance, one that brings a memory to share and pass along. "I met so and so when I was fifteen..." tells a grandpa to his grandson. That grandpa made a brief connection with that well-known person. What else does he have? Well he got that person to sign something, now he has something tangible to pass along as well which makes the story even more believable and special.

So, an autograph is not just a scribbled name on something. It's the connection between the player that's on the card, memorablilia, photo, whatever, and the person who owns it. I know I'll never meet Nolan Ryan or Bob Feller face to face, but I know I have a card that both gentlemen have held and added their name to, in their own handwriting. And now it's in my possession, and it will be in my kids' possession someday, and so on. As corny as it sounds, to me that's what makes autographed cards special.

Now for people looking to make money, it's obviously where the money is at in this day and age. So to them it's nothing more than a means to an end.

Well put.

 

[Therion]

Simply: It is what I enjoy.

I don't question other's collecting habits because whatever makes you happy makes you happy.

 

[justinmandawg]

I like breasts. I like Chinese food. I like a red ref auto. I like cheesecake. I like beer. I like to fish. Why? Because they add spice to life.

 

[subpop77]

I think as far as MLB rookie cards or as for Bowmans "First Year Card" alot of people "Prospectors" can sometimes get big returns on a players FIRST AUTO whether it be on card or on the infamous "band-aid". And as far as "Star Players" it is harder to get there autos. I usually go to some Ranger games hopeing to pick up autos of diff players, When I go to the ballpark and the Yankees are playing it is extra difficult to get one of thier autos. While standing in line last season there was about four different lines fourty or so deep just on the third base side, the guy behind me said it took him three seasons to get an auto and it was of a less known yankee. So alot of people would be willing to buy a card with an auto especially when it is cheaper to purchase then say a ball, jersey, hat, ect.

 

[f2tornado]

This thread was started by the same person who asked if he would be crazy to get his rare Morneau and Mauer rookie year cards autographed. Perhaps Bo was just throwing out a hypothetical or simply showing off some cards I and most other Twins fans would love to have in a collection.

I like an autograph like most on here but they are not the focus of my collection. If the card is well designed and comes with an auto then I will pick it up. If the card is ugly and auto'd then I will pass. I do like patch cards but maintain the same stance; if the card is well done I will add it otherwise I let it go.