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Perfect Gifts For Autograph Collectors

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Let them empower you!

Huh?
Too many loved ones will think, “What’s an autograph, and how do I get the one he wants most?”
Tell the non-collectors who want to buy you a December present what you really want — ways to take your collection to a new level!
Here’s two basics no collector should be without:
1. The 2014 Baseball Address List — Address king Harvey Meiselman starts shipping in January. Tell the gift givers this is worth waiting for. Home addresses of everyone who debuted from 1930 through 2013? Swoop on this, Santa!
2. A www.sportscollectors.net membership — Members post good and bad (invalid) addresses. Imagine getting detailed notes of someone’s signing habits for the last 15 years. A forum gives you access to many of the top collectors in the hobby. I get my hobby questions answered immediately. All for $14.99 for one year.
Are there gift options for $10 or less? Oh, yeah!
1. Stamps: Love those FOREVERs. 
2. Basics: Paper, envelopes, pens. Don’t forget return address labels.
They don’t have to attend a hobby show or learn a foreign language to get you something that you’ll love throughout 2014. 
Readers: what would be your best gift suggestions or requests? And, what’s been the best hobby-related gift you’ve ever received?

Thanking Milwaukee Brave Jack Dittmer

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Another impressive career has ended.

Jack Dittmer didn’t have Hall of Fame stats. He was a hobby hall of famer, however.

In October, Dittmer’s wife began sending out the sad news. I saw the update via the ever-insightful www.sportscollectors.net.

The second baseman now lives in a care facility. He can no longer sign autographs or answer questions.

Dittmer was at his best for my 2011 letter. See for yourself via the above link.

On SCN, his success rate was staggering: 175 success responses in 178 attempts.

Just a thought…

A note of thanks to Mrs. Dittmer might bring a bit of brightness during the holidays, considering her husband’s health. I’m sure she may have been an unsung hero in getting all those autographs returned.

Gates Brown Gone At Age 74

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Our friends at
www.baseball-almanac.com
had a great specimen of
Brown’s autograph.
Check out their
Brown page!

Condolences to all Tigers fans.

William “Gates” Brown, one of the greatest pinch-hitters of his generation, has died.

Detroit fans often saw Brown at games. He signed at team functions, long after his retirement.

In person, he was a prince.

However, www.sportscollectors.net listed just 43 successes in 80 tries over the last decade for TTM attempts. No 2013 successes were recorded.

What lessons might remain from Brown’s duality?

As recently as five years ago, Brown was including extra photos with replies. My brother mentioned that his bonus looked like a candid someone snapped. Others said that Brown wrote the photo was from his own collection, even laminating each.

Health problems or even one greedy form letter could have slowed his TTM signing generosity.

Anyone who met Brown got more than an autograph. They got an experience. A handshake, a picture posed for, a story shared — the full effort.

Give that same effort when you write any retiree. I don’t think you have to send a page of flattering lies, or a $5 bribe for a better chance at a response.

Just add two WHYs.

1. Why do they matter?
2. Why are you the most deserving writer in the pile of envelopes?

If Mr. Brown can slide into second with a mustard-drenched hot dog in his pocket, you can write a letter that counts.

Decoding Alan Trammell

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A selective hitter
and signer
these days!

Congrats to collector Dan Brunetti.

After getting one of the increasing rejections by Alan Trammell (card returned unsigned in the SASE), Dan tried again.

“I sent the second time in a big yellow envelope.  I wrote “2nd attempt” on the back of the envelope so he might see it when he opened it.”

Studying the recording attempts and rejections for a problematic signer like Trammell (whose autograph attitudes seem to have taken a U-turn beginning in 2010 as a Cubs coach), can be done easily with a source like www.sportscollectors.net.

However, the time comes when you have to make your own game plan. Everyone is different. Time of the year (in- or off-season) may matter, too. Even retirees can be busier in summer.

The moral of this story is to keep hope. Don’t risk losing a valuable card from your collection. Yet, figure out a way to stand out from the other requests, and you may be smiling like Dan.

Coming Monday: Baseball’s most inspirational broadcaster?

Rocky Colavito? Darren Daulton? Who’s Worth The Price?

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Applause to Harvey Meiselman, who just forwarded news of two baseball retirees now charging for signing through the mail.

Rocky Colavito wants $55 per autograph! Sure, www.sportscollectors.net has just two FREE responses logged in the last decade-plus. He hasn’t cared for fan mail for years.

Oh…his signing agent says they’ll sell you their autographed card for just $70.

I’ll buy my own card, thanks…

Colavito’s pricelist/list states that a portion of proceeds will go to his church, builders of a recent school and gymnasium. Hmmm…how big is this portion?

I’m still reeling over the extra fees imposed for inscriptions or special items ($170 for a Hartland statue, for instance). I’m steering clear of this “deal.”

The contrasting news about Darren Daulton’s $15 per TTM signature fee was less jolting. Daulton is facing a dire health forecast, dealing with a malignant brain tumor. I could envision him liking help with his mail, considering his condition.

However, the idea of Daulton costing is a shock to collectors watching the SCN site. He’s responded more than 400 times, good for 90 percent of all attempts.

My problem with this change is that even Daulton’s website says he’ll be resting at his Florida home, far from the agent’s Pennsylvania address.

Nonetheless, if you’re interested, gets more details first from Todd Schafer at Under The Radar Sports Promotions. Contact  sales@undertheradarsports.net.