Autographed memorabilia

[PerkyForHerky]

Had a conversation with a coworker a bit ago that I thought I'd bring up with HROT -

We were talking about hobbies when we were younger. As a kid I would send away through the mail (because I lived in Iowa) to get things signed for my collection such as basketball/football cards, pictures, etc. I lost the entire collection in a fire a long time ago and have thought it would be cool if I still had everything for nostalgia purposes. You didn't see the huge market of certified autographed memorabilia back then, of course.

We got talking about adults who will try to get stuff signed at practices, training camps, etc. I'm not sure how I feel about it as I've always considered seeking autographs to be something for kids to do. But is there harm in an adult doing it?

Is there a difference between trying to get an autograph in person or buying one that has been certified somewhere (besides the obvious certification)? Would you frown upon one over the other?
Is it weird that some adults go to practices and such to get autographs or is it OK?
Is there an age where collecting autographed memorabilia, or specifically obtaining it yourself (not buying certified) is no longer OK?

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

I went to Colts training camp and most of the people there trying to get autographs where adults.

I think it's ok but I also will note that kids get precedence. I don't watch a lot of baseball or go to baseball games but it's basically like at a baseball game. If the ball comes to you then you can catch it and keep it. . . but you don't rush up and try to compete with a kid to get the ball or intercept the ball that a kid is looking to catch. I think in terms of autographs it sort of works the same way. There was a kid around me in the crowd (not mine) and I made sure that his thing got signed before I got mine signed.

I would say that there would be little moral difference between buying autographed items and asking for someone to autograph them except asking someone to autograph them is usually free. If you are willing to fork over money for something with someone's signature on it, it would seem odd to me that you would not want to ask that person to sign it for free.

 

[fredjr82]

We got talking about adults who will try to get stuff signed at practices, training camps, etc. I'm not sure how I feel about it as I've always considered seeking autographs to be something for kids to do. But is there harm in an adult doing it?

SP had a field day with this topic in a thread a year or so ago. I'll let you decide if he felt it was right for an adult to get an autograph.

Is there a difference between trying to get an autograph in person or buying one that has been certified somewhere (besides the obvious certification)? Would you frown upon one over the other?
Is it weird that some adults go to practices and such to get autographs or is it OK?
Is there an age where collecting autographed memorabilia, or specifically obtaining it yourself (not buying certified) is no longer OK?

I would feel weird as a 33 year old man asking for any Iowa Hawkeyes autograph. Why do I need an 18-22 year old's autograph? I don't really feel comfortable asking for an autograph anymore. If I'm a big enough fan I'll purchase a certified photo from one of the retail stores (I have an Acie Earl and Randall Cunningham my dad purchased for me years ago). The last autograph I asked for was Wally Joyner at a Royals game when I was probably 12 or 13. The David Cone line was too long so Joyner was our pick.

 

[iCRUNCH]

I take my son to river bandits games and usually get a few balls a game, and then have players sign them. He got Cardinal's pitcher Carlos Martinez's signature on a Midwest League ball a few years ago.

 

[iCRUNCH]

He also got a hawkeye football with tyler sash, micah hyde, jewell Hampton and a few other players too at one of the fall open practices

 

[Herkmeister]

IMO, there are 2 sides:

1. If adults are getting autographs because they idolize these guys, etc..., it's just plain creepy.
2. After watching Big 10 Treasure Hunters, I see another side. It's fun to have a few Hawkeye things signed by players and Kirk. I'll admit, I'd love to have a helmet signed by Brad Banks, Randy Duncan & Chuck Long. What's wrong with enjoying the history of Iowa Football and being able to pass it down to your kids?

Bottom line, if you're comfortable with it, do it. Who gives a shxt what people think? This board proves that no matter what you say or think, some douche bag is going to attempt to hurt your feelings or make you look stupid. I'm living my life for me. I'd expound further but I have to go clean my wife's bong.

 

[ping72]

Grown men should not:
A) seek autographs
B) wear jerseys

 

[2bagger22]

I assume any adult seeking an autograph for personal gain lives at home with his parents and pro athletes share similar feelings. For example, Curtis Granderson is a family friend and right when he was called up to the big leagues we watched him play in Minneapolis. Before the game, he was signing autographs while we talked and a middle-aged dude held out a stack of Granderson rookie cards. Seeing the stack, Granderson took them, signed them, and handed them to all of the kids within his reach. He told us later that he encounters these middle-aged autograph seekers at every stadium and cannot stand it.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

As an adult, I have asked for 3 autographs - my favorite baseball player of all time, Ryne Sandberg on a Cubs jersey, Bob Sanders, my favorite Iowa player, on a Colts jersey, and KF on a football.

If I saw anyone else, I would just introduce myself and try to shake their hand and take a moment to tell them I enjoyed watching them play/act/sing, etc.

Adults men should not wear jerseys. Adult women should always wear jerseys.

 

[Herkmeister]

Grown men should not:
A) seek autographs
B) wear jerseys

Even if your son plays for the Hawkeyes you should not wear a jersey? Really? And at what age should you quit? Not being snarky, just curious. I don't even own a jersey. But my wife has a Hawkeye thong.

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

I have a few signed items.
got a mini hawkeye helmet for a christmas present with Matt Roths signature on it.

back in 2010 or whenever the football team was signing at Carver during a basketball game, my mother in law saw Ricky Stanzi and Adrian Clayborn as she was walking somewhere (bathroom perhaps). They both signed the Orange Bowl Champions poster that was being handed out and it was gifted to me.

Tim Dwight was making an appearance at an event in CR. the wife (no pic) took my "Dwight" Falcons jersey and got it signed for me. I guess he told her he didn't' think there were too many of them around anymore.

I got BJ Armstrong and Brad Lohaus's signature on a program. My sister pestered them during the game the 86 team was back. I did not endorse her approaching them during the game, and was glad that we weren't too close because i was embarrassed.

 

[HallofFame]

I don't care if someone wears a jersey or gets an autograph it isn't hurting my life. Now if they are getting the autograph just to sell it on ebay that's a losers life.

 

[LuteHawk]

When you get autographs for free, this is the best way.
Their value cannot be financial, but sentimental. Most
guys who get autographs in their youth are not seeking
a financial gain. The thrill comes from showing them
to family, friends and neighbors.

 

[Jakeleg Jake]

I have autographed photo of Coach Robert Montgomery Knight...given to me personally by the General himself.

 

[ping72]

Even if your son plays for the Hawkeyes you should not wear a jersey? Really? And at what age should you quit? Not being snarky, just curious. I don't even own a jersey. But my wife has a Hawkeye thong.

Correct, jerseys are for Moms. Once you hit 7th grade the only acceptable jersey is your own.

 

[Herkmeister]

Correct, jerseys are for Moms. Once you hit 7th grade the only acceptable jersey is your own.

Last question: Say a gay couple (Dudes) have a son playing for the Hawkeyes, which one of them can wear a jersey? I mean, there ain't no baby momma hear, know what I'm saying?

 

[jellyfish10]

I don't care if someone wears a jersey or gets an autograph it isn't hurting my life. Now if they are getting the autograph just to sell it on ebay that's a
losers life.

+1. I don't give an f who wears a jersey. If that's your thing by all means...

Same with autographs. As long as you aren't pushing kids out of the way for an autograph I don't know why anyone has a problem with it.

 

[fsusurfer]

Nothing wrong with mild autograph enthusiasts. I have a couple in my home office and would love to have a few more of my favorite teams star players to display.

 

[HawkFantastic]

+1. I don't give an f who wears a jersey. If that's your thing by all means...

Same with autographs. As long as you aren't pushing kids out of the way for an autograph I don't know why anyone has a problem with it.

Who's jersey do you wear? It's obviously your thing and it's got you riled up.

 

[HallofFame]

Who's jersey do you wear? It's obviously your thing and it's got you riled up.

Not directly asked of me but I will answer honestly. I also have never got the whole a real man doesn't wear the name of another man. Please the entire concept of sports is based on cheering for other dudes so who cares.

I have owned 3 Jersey's in my life. Jerry Rice when I was in high school. Nile Kinnick throwback from 2004 game. And a cheap Chinese knockoff of a Zach Parise jersey I bought this year for a Minnesota Wild game I attended. I did own a generic St. Louis Cards jersey but it didn't have a name on it. Of all the things in this world that make me a bad excuse of a man this isn't anywhere near the top of the list.

 

[UNIowaHawk]

I think the same can be said for people who bring gloves to baseball games. If you're old enough to drive you shouldn't be bringing a glove to a game.

 

[reesehawk]

I will admit that I have asked for autos, make sure kids get theirs first. You will never see my collection on Ebay. I always look to ad to my Hawkeye collection. It will, til my last breath, never be for sale! My wife always says that the kids will have a great inheiritence when I go. That's the way it will be, as my whole room will not be sold as long as I live. I'm a lifelong fan. It means more than any amount of money.

 

[jellyfish10]

Who's jersey do you wear? It's obviously your thing and it's got you riled up.

Riled up? No, the people riled up are the ones concerned with what another man wears. I don't wear them and haven't for years but it doesn't bother me if that's your thing.

 

[ICWestfan]

I have 2 pieces of memorabilia- a Shonn Greene rookie NY Jet game worn jersey I bought at a fundraiser auction and a Nate Kaeding picture he signed himself. My oldest boy got Ozzie Smiths autograph at a game in StL towards the end of Smiths career when he was 6 or 7. Ozzie would stay out and sign autographs after BP. The day my son got that it was 110 degrees on the field, but Ozzie was out there as were folks who were lined up from dugout to dugout 4 or 5 deep, the majority who were adults.

 

[IMCC965]

Grown men should not:
A) seek autographs
B) wear jerseys

Oops

 

[Chuck C]

What about having somebody sign a book? Tonight at the Rutgers/Iowa wrestling meet, season ticket holders who got the Olympic trials package get a copy of Dan Gable's new book. He'll have an area set up where he's going to sign that book if you want to. I'll probably stop by and have Gable sign the book.

 

[hawkssox1]

I have a pennant autographed by Chris Street along with the game program and ticket stub from the Iowa -Michigan game after his death.Just had it all framed in black look's awesome.

 

[zwick99]

Had a conversation with a coworker a bit ago that I thought I'd bring up with HROT -

We were talking about hobbies when we were younger. As a kid I would send away through the mail (because I lived in Iowa) to get things signed for my collection such as basketball/football cards, pictures, etc. I lost the entire collection in a fire a long time ago and have thought it would be cool if I still had everything for nostalgia purposes. You didn't see the huge market of certified autographed memorabilia back then, of course.

We got talking about adults who will try to get stuff signed at practices, training camps, etc. I'm not sure how I feel about it as I've always considered seeking autographs to be something for kids to do. But is there harm in an adult doing it?

Is there a difference between trying to get an autograph in person or buying one that has been certified somewhere (besides the obvious certification)? Would you frown upon one over the other?
Is it weird that some adults go to practices and such to get autographs or is it OK?
Is there an age where collecting autographed memorabilia, or specifically obtaining it yourself (not buying certified) is no longer OK?

Yes there is a difference between getting an autograph in person and buying a certified autograph. MOST certified autographs are forgeries.

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

perhaps we should have a "what jerseys do you own" thread.

I have 4-5 football jerseys of my favorite NFL team (going back to the early 90's). The last one I got just had my name put on the back (for the price of jerseys nowadays, seem silly to get a players jersey that likely won't be on the team in a couple years..plus the older i get, the weirder it seems wearing another persons name on your back.).

I have an authentic Iowa football jersey that Scheels was selling about 5 years ago. At the time it was the number Mitch King was wearing).

Typically don't wear the football jerseys much anymore. Typically break out the older NFL ones when my favorite team is doing good...i will wear the older ones so I don't look like a bandwagon jumper as my team isn't good too often.

I have a couple baseball jerseys. One CR Kernels, and one for my favorite MLB team.

I have about ten Hockey sweaters, a handful of CR Roughrider ones, and Team USA sweater and a few various NHL ones.