Think Outside the Box

Yes, I have many regular signed items, such as mini-helmets, photos and plenty of baseballs.  The easiest explanation for this is that these items are easy to carry, at shows they are the cheapest to have signed and most importantly athletes/celebrities are accustomed to signing these everyday collector items.

However, I have found that if you can diversify your collection with some unique or rare items, not only does that add value to your collection, it will usually generate a conversation with the athlete/celebrity and you will have a more memorable interaction with that person.

Some simple, but sometimes expensive ideas are game used items such as bases, stadium seats, and stadium seat backs.  There just aren't many of these around and these items have just become accessible to the regular fan, such as me. 


Fenway Seat Back signed by Hall of Famers, Jim Rice and Carlton Fisk.

There are some other unique items that many of us never think of.  For instance collectible toy team trucks are usually numbered to 1500.  Bobblehead dolls given out by minor league teams usually only have 500-1500 available on a particular night.  Seeing that very few people will ever get them signed, they become a unique and rare item in a collection.


David Ortiz autographed collectible truck.



Bret Saberhagen autographed bobblehead, less than 1700 of these items were produced.

When I'm asked what some of my favorite items are in my collections I always show those individuals my Bill Clinton signed flyer from 1992, my baseball lineup cards from different dugouts and my 2004 world series headline collage.  All of these items are great conversation starters, they are rare and most importantly they are all one of a kind and will not be reproduced.



Bill and Hillary Clinton autographed fliers from their respective presidential campaigns.




2005 Portland SeaDog line up card from a game in May.  Autographed by current stars such as Jon Lester, Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia and others.

So before you are ready to get that 8x10 or mini helmet signed, see what else you can find, think outside the box, and add value to your experience and collection.