New England Patriot, Malcolm Butler Autograph Signing

The first official post superbowl 49 champion signing is coming this week.   Superbowl hero Malcolm Butler is appearing on Thursday February 26th at the New England Picture store in Braintree Mass. at 7:00pm. 

Pricing for this signing is $79 for any item.  This price also includes the inscription "GW INT".  This is a great deal as inscriptions are usually an extra fee.

I expect this signing to be packed and very busy.  I highly recommend you pre-purchase your tickets as this will most likely sell out.

For more information click on one the links below.
www.sureshotpromotions.com
www.newenglandpicture.com

Autographs of Champions

With all the excitement of Tom Brady winning his 4th Super Bowl, the debate has continued across the nation about who the best QB in NFL history is.  Then in Boston, the question was raised about who the best champion in the history of the city is.  Who should be on the Mt. Rushmore of Boston Sports?  Names such as Russell, Bird, Williams, Orr, Ortiz, Auerbach, etc... spark this fun debate. 

With all this talk of local and national champions, I started wondering about who's autographs do I own, of which won at least 4 championships.  Not that this necessarily makes a case for the best athletes, but it sure does represent highly historic performances at the peak of pressure situations.

Generally speaking autographs from champions, even for the 2nd and 3rd tier players is worth more over the long term.  I think of some of the bench players from the 60's Celtic championship teams, and they are still highly coveted 50 years later.

So if you are thinking of starting a collection or wondering whose autograph you should acquire next consider some of these names.

Bill Russell:  11x NBA champion (Autograph for regular items runs about $175)
Tom Brady:  4x SB champion (Autograph for regular items start at $649)
Reggie Jackson:  5x WS champion  (Autograph for regular items runs about $99)
Derek Jeter:  5x WS champion (Autograph for regular items runs about $400)
Mariano Rivera:  5x WS champion (Autograph for regular items runs about $250)
Mike Timlin:  4x WS champion with 2 teams (Autographs for regular items runs about $50)
Bob Cousy:  6X NBA champion (Autographs for regular items start at $79)

These are just samples of some that I own.  You can also consider checking out autographs from Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Johnny Bench, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Paul O' Neill among many others.

Mike Timlin Autographed baseball.



Mariano Rivera autographed 1999 WS Ball

Derek Jeter Autographed ball

Bob Cousy Autographed photo.

Reggie Jackson Autographed ball.





My Tom Brady & Bill Russell Autographs (King of Team Champions)

 

Superbowl Champion Jamie Collins, public appearance

As New England Patriot fans work through their euphoria of winning a 4th SuperBowl, players will start making some public autograph appearances. Some will be come in the next week and some over the next month.  Either way, these appearances will provide a great opportunity to get up close to members of this championship team. 

One of the first appearances will occur on Monday February 9 and will feature linebacker Jamie Collins.  The event is scheduled to occur in Braintree Massachusetts.  Pricing for this is fantastic as it's $39 for regular items, $49 for premium and $25 for inscriptions such as SB 49 Champs.  Pricing for a player of this caliber won't remain this low, so take advantage of this now.  Consider starting a team item or simply get an 8x10 or mini helmet signed.

For more information click here.
www.sureshotpromotions.com
www.newenglandpicture.com

The Big Game Merchandise

SuperBowl mania is amping up in New England this week.  Despite "Deflategate", the anticipation of this year's game is growing each day by fans and collectors.  Moreover, collectors are starting to wonder on what team signed item they'll start to gather signatures.  And as most collectors know, gathering the signatures on one item from at least 53 members of a football team is very challenging.
So here are some ideas to help you work through the challenge.

An authentic and official Superbowl football is a great way.  If you have the players sign small you can actually fit all the signatures on the 4 panels.  I recommend silver or black paint pens on footballs.  This year's SB 49 football is selling from $99-$129 on many different websites.  I also recommend having the game MVP sign an individual football with the MVP inscription.  So yes, time to purchase 2 authentic MVP footballs.

Another option, but more expensive, is a full size authentic or replica helmet.  There is definitely enough room on this item for all the signatures.  You also can pick up a SB branded helmet or your favorite team helmet.  Pricing on these helmets ranges from$99-$150 for a replica and a minimum of $200 for the authentic brand.

Smaller items include game programs, team yearbooks and mini helmets.  All of these items range in price from $15 - $30.  Generally speaking these items do not fit more than 20-25 signatures.  However, if you wanted just an item signed by positions, I recommend considering these items.  Or if you want a single signed item, or an item to be signed by the game MVP I recommend these choices.

So, as game time approaches consider these items.

Trot Nixon Appearance, and Hot Stove Dinner.

I've blogged about sport dinners many times.  It's always a great opportunity to enjoy a meal with lots of sport fans, support a philanthropic effort and build your autograph collection.  On January 17th the Lowell Spinners are hosting a hot stove dinner and their keynote speaker and guest is Trot Nixon.  As New England fans know, Trot was on the 2004 World Series Championship team and a true fan favorite.

So if you want to meet him and other former players such as Adam Everett consider purchasing a ticket for $75.  The price includes the meet and greet, autographs, dinner, an auction and the opportunity to help the Spinners charities. 

For more information check this link.  www.lowellspinners.com

New England Patriot running back, Jonas Gray, Public Appearance

For those of us from New England, we know the only current team that has any true fan interest is the New England Patriots.  As they are set to begin their Super Bowl run (hopefully a Super Bowl win), the buzz about the team is gaining momentum.

One way to work through that buzz is to take advantage of Patriot public appearances.  On Tuesday January 6, running back, Jonas Gray will be appearing in Whitman Mass.  This is an outstanding chance to meet a current player and wish him and the team well in the upcoming weeks.

His pricing is great.  It is only $25 for him to sign any type of item.  This is a steal for any current player from any sport.  There is a $10 charge for personalizations or inscriptions.  I can tell you as his career progresses, this price will double and if the Patriots win some playoff games, it will increase higher than double.

For more information click on this link. www.sureshotpromotions.com

A Win-Win: Charity Events, Dinners for collectors to participate in.

One way I attempt to manage dreary and cold winters in New England is to find about and participate in fun and local baseball events.  These events are generally casual, family friendly, include food, auctions for authentic collectibles, meet and greets with current and past players and lots of autographs.  Proceeds for these events usually go to charitable organizations such as team foundations, local charities and other philanthropies. 


In New England, 3 of these events are scheduled in January.  The Lowell Spinners, Portland Sea Dogs, and New Britain Rock Cats, are all hosting charity events with plenty of players available to meet.  Each event has it's own set of rules, pricing and schedule.

The Lowell Spinners dinner has one price, and usually one autograph per person.  Trot Nixon is the keynote guest scheduled for this function.  Adam Everett is another person listed to appear. They haven't listed any other significant guests to this point.  Although in the past, this event usually had 10-12 guests.  The Spinners usually have a great silent auction, live auction and a good dinner.

The Portland SeaDogs are also hosting an event in January.  Their dinner has former Red Sox outfielder, Johnny Damon appearing.  This dinner is sold out, but please check the website for details.

The New Britain Rock Cats are hosting a lunch in late January with former player and NLCS MVP Rob Dibble.  They have other guests TBA in the upcoming weeks.

So take advantage of these family oriented charitable and team events.  You are not only supporting these respective organizations,  but offering opportunities for fans of all ages to meet their favorite players in a very laid back setting.

For more information, click on these links below:

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20141110&content_id=101025584&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t546&sid=t546

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20141219&content_id=104504976&fext=.jsp&vkey=pr_t538&sid=t538

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20141007&content_id=97858706&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t558&sid=t558