Should you get your rookie cards signed by the player or not if given the opportunity?

Answer 1

It is not a good idea to have an expensive Baseball card signed. Even if the baseball card has a low value today, if the price goes up in the future the value will be diminished by the signature. Signatures will vary in price based on condition, the type of authenticity that accompanies the signature, the item signed, and how well the item displays the signature. Baseballs are the most common, and preferred by collectors because of it's connection to the game, low cost, availability and it displays the signature well. The signed baseball represents the average price for a signature, and by deducting or adding from this price for the Item signed accordingly will give you a good idea on value.

The lowest priced signed item would be for a "cut Signature." A cut signature is a signature on a piece of paper, or "cut" from a larger piece. Index cards are the next step up, and both sell at a fraction (about 10%-20%) the price of an autographed baseball. Baseball cards sell at about 30- 40 percent, and could be compatible in price with autograph photos that typically sell at about 40-60 percent the price of a baseball. Bats, uniform Jersey's and equipment selling at a higher price due to the higher cost of the item, rarity and display.

In general if an autographed baseball is worth $100. the same autograph on a 8 x 10 photo $50. a baseball card $35. a cut signature $20. on a bat $150. The percentage of the price could also vary based on the popularity of the player, and how sought after the signature is. Collectible items could add value to the price of a signature but not always. As in the case of a baseball card, generally collectors of baseball cards would rather have a baseball card without the signature. The signature would be considered as a flaw in the condition of the card and will lower the value.

A collector of signatures will not always pay extra for the "collectible" baseball card. The autograph collectors main concern is displaying the signature. This is why it is not a good idea to have an expensive baseball card signed. You could devalue the price of the card, and get less for it. A high value card can add some value to the signature, but not as much as the card unsigned.

Once a collectible baseball card is signed the value of the card dramatically goes down as a collectible. The card then becomes an Item to display the signature. The bulk of the value relies on the value of the signature of the player that signed the card, and how well the card displays the signature.