In Person AutographsHave an autograph collecting story you would like to share? Maybe you have a question about an autograph you have just discovered. Comments or questions, we'd we'd love to hear from you. Go to Your Autographs Few collectors would disagree that the best autographs are those that are received in person. Trouble is, it is often expensive and time consuming to get in person autographs. Sometimes it is impossible. Neil Armstrong wouldn't sign if you were sitting next to him at an airport. Barry Bonds would just stare at you even if you asked politely. All of that's true, but it's still not impossible to get some GREAT autographs in person, if you're in the right place at the right time and pull the trigger. One of my favorite entertainers was Don Knotts. He didn't even have to speak to be funny, but when he did he was one of the best. I got an in person autograph at a personal appearance at a local mall over a decade ago. I picked up a signed photo of Howard Morris (Ernest T. Bass) while I was there. Last year I bought a Hal Smith (Otis Campbell) signed photo and had it professionally framed with the Barnie and Ernest T. It looks great. A few years back, my family spent a pleasant day at a local water park. While we were cooling off under an umbrella, we heard a small commotion nearby. It was Mick Foley of WCW and WWE wrestling fame. All I could my hands on was a french fry cup from the concession stand. I borrowed a pen. After a short conversation with him, he signed as Cactus Jack and that signed french fry cup is a part of my collection. Getting an in person autograph that day was not in the plans. My wife and I spent last New Year's Eve in Biloxi, Mississippi. the high point was a midnight Little Richard concert. He's getting old, but he still puts on a great show. To my surprise and delight during the show he held up a poster and said that he would be happy to sign one just like it after the show to all who would buy one for $20. He repeated the offer a couple more times, even mentioning that he was getting up in years, and he wasn't going to be here (meaning alive) forever. Both my wife and I bought a poster and Little Richard signed them both. One is framed in my hobby room. No surprise to me, but only a hundred or so took Little Richard up on his offer. An authentically signed Little Richard poster could get around $200. Little Richard is normally a tough autograph. Over a lifetime most people could build a nice autograph collection capturing nice memories, but they have to be ready to seize opportunity.
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I don't have a Neil Armstrong, but I do have several Barry Bonds autographs. A family trip to Cancun just after Barry Bond's rookie year gave me several of Bonds' autographs way back when he was much smaller and a lot nicer. At the time he was a high profile player, a few years later he was was at the top of the pyramid and an almost impossible in-person autograph. His star has been tarnished in the last few years, but in my opinion, the future value of his autograph, though it might be lessened among sports purists, will be heightened among the generalists who collect "big names." Regardless of monetary value, when I look at the autographs I remember good times.
