Patrice Bergeron, Reggie Jackson, Gerry Cheevers, Ray Bourque, Dave Bing, and more.......

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  Other than this being my birthday week, I look forward to attending the Greater Boston Sports Collector's Club Card and Memorabilia Show.  It's occurred the first weekend in November at the Shriner Auditorium in Wilmington Mass. for as long as I can remember.  This year's show is scheduled on Friday November 4 - Sunday November 6 and is featuring many members of the 1980's Boston Bruin hockey teams, 2 members of the 2004 Red Sox, former Red Sox and very rare autograph signer, Joe Lahoud, baseball Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Ferguson Jenkins in addition to local boxer Mickey Ward and many more.  I have not missed attending this show since I first attended in 2002.  I have found hundreds of deals on anything including memorabilia, photos, cards, supplies and autographs. There will be over 80 dealers in attendance, both from the region and nationally.

One of the reasons this show is my favorite is that everyone is very friendly and helpful.   There are items out there for the bargain hunter or the high end collector and of course all of us in between.  I've seen autographs for sale that include almost every hall of famer for every sport.  I've seen rare items like Cy Young, Babe Ruth and Alan Shepard(First U.S. astronaut in space) signed items.  I learn much about collecting, how to preserve autographs and what's out there on the market.  I always feel that when I walk and speak with dealers, I discover something new every November.

So here are some tips on how to make the most of one day or the weekend at the show.
1.  Walk the entire floor at least once before purchasing anything.  My experience is that you will find the same item in multiple locations.  The dealers are very competitive and will almost always come down in price to get the sale.
2.  Prepare to spend at least 2 hours browsing.  Be patient and ready to negotiate.
3.  Bring something to drink with you.  It is very dry in most facilities.
4.  Wear comfortable footwear.  The entire floor is concrete.
5.  If you are purchasing an autograph or game used piece of memorabilia make sure it is has authentication.  Ask the dealer where it came from and who authenticated it.  If the price is too good to be true, then don't purchase it.
6.  Most dealers will come down in price on the last day of a show.  They honestly don't want to haul it back to their homes or businesses.
7.  Have cash on hand.  Most dealers cannot accept credit cards and if they do, they might charge a service fee to pay for the connection at their table.
8.  Sign up for raffles and door prizes.  Almost every show has them and there are usually great prizes.
9.  If you are attending to meet players, be ready to wait in line, and in small spaces.  Also, if you have no idea what you want autographed the promoter's merchandise table will have the best items at reasonable prices.




This year's autograph guests include:
NHL Hall of famers:  Ray Bourque, Cam Neely, Gerry Cheevers, Adam Oates, Grant Fuhr
Current Bruins:  Torey Krug, Patrice Bergeron
Baseball Hall of Famers: Frank Robinson, Reggie Jackson, Ferguson Jenkins
Boxers:  Mickey Ward, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, Gerry Cooney
Former Red Sox:  Ben Oglivie, Don Schwall, Jody Reed, Joe Lahoud, Scott Williamson, Gabe Kapler, Doug Mirabelli
Former Boston Bruins:  Rick Middleton, Normand Leveille, PJ Stock, Lyndon Byers, Bruce Shoebottom
NBA Hall of Famer:  Dave Bing

For more information on autograph guest information please visit www.sureshotpromotions.com

New England Patriots Martellus Bennett and Chris Hogan Autograph Appearances

The New England Patriots are on a roll, starting the season 4-1, and as we all know without Brady for weeks 1-4.  Part of the early success is due to New England Patriot off season acquisitions Martellus Bennett and Chris Hogan.  Both have played vital roles on the team to this point and with almost 3/4 of the season left, fans are sure to see their long term impact.

For fans who would like to meet them, here is a great opportunity for you.  Martellus and Chris will a make a public autograph appearance together on Monday October 17, 2016 at the New England Picture store at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Mass..

Pricing for this is great as it is $49 per autograph on any item for Bennett and $39 per autograph on regular items and $49 per autograph on premium items for Hogan.  Inscriptions per item per player is $15.  Customers purchasing a ticket for both players will be offered a discounted price.

For more information please check www.newenglandpicture.com.

Drew Bledsoe Boston Autograph Signing

There are many New England Patriot fans who only know the history of the team to be 4 Superbowl championships, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.  While that is great, the reality is that if you were born before 1995, we only remember losing season after losing season, with some one time highlights such as Superbowl appearances in 1985 and 1996.  We remember names like Hannah, Cappelletti, Grogan, Morgan, Tippett and Nelson.  We also remember a crappy home stadium and games blacked out on local television.
Then in 1993 Bill Parcells and Drew Bledsoe came into the living room of Patriots fans.  This change with new ownership transformed the culture of the team into a winning tradition.  Bledsoe personally brought plenty of excitement (With some interception frustration) to the Patriot fan base.  Years after his retirement, true and knowledgeable fans understood and recognized the impact he made on the franchise.
For true Patriot fans, and those collectors collecting Superbowl 36 signatures, this is a great opportunity for you. Drew is making a rare public autograph appearance on
Wednesday, November 30th at the New England Picture store at Burlington Mall in Burlington, Mass..  Pricing is great for someone who makes rare appearances, as regular items are $69 per item and premium items are $89 per item.  Inscriptions are $30 per 3-4 word request.
For more information click one of these links www.newenglandpicture.com or Sureshotpromotions.com.
Hope to see you there.

Former Boston Bruin, Derek Sanderson autograph signing.

1970's Bruins fans, this one is for you.  This is your opportunity to see 2 time Stanley Cup champion. 1968 Rookie of the Year and Bruins tough guy Derek Sanderson.  Derek's professional and personal experiences are unlike any other athlete in the history of Boston.  His life spans far past hockey, as he had bouts with drugs and alcohol, was a Bruins TV broadcaster, and is now a financial advisor for current athletes.  In 1972 he was the highest paid athlete in the world when he signed a $2.6 million contract with the Philadelphia Blazers.

Derek will be appearing at the New England Picture store in the Burlington, MA. on October 25, 2016.  Pricing for this is great, as he'll sign any item for just $25, with an inscription price of $10.  Take advantage of this great opportunity.
For more information please check www.newenglandpicture.com.

NBA Champion, Brian Scalabrine Autographed signing

Celtic fans everywhere, here is the deal and opportunity for you.  2008 NBA Champion, former Boston Celtic, and current Celtic TV analyst, Brian Scalabrine, is making a public autograph appearance on Thursday June 16, 2016.  He is appearing at the New England Picture store in Burlington Mall in Burlington Massachusetts.

Pricing for this is outstanding, only $15 per autograph.  You cannot beat that price for a member of this team.  I highly recommend you take advantage of this.

For more information please check this link www.newenglandpicture.com

Unique and Personal

I am often asked about my favorite autograph in my collection.  I usually answer with my Bill Clinton, Albert Pujols or Bill Russell pieces.  It was exciting to meet them in person and share the story and encounter of how I acquired their autographs.

However, in the past few years, I've been working on a very personal and fun piece.  I recently had the item stretched and framed for the ease of hanging and transporting.  This item is a simple picture I took of Fenway Park's green monster in the year 2000.  I was always impressed with the photo, given it was taken before all the new advertisements were painted on the wall as is scene today.  I made some small 8x10's of the print for players to sign, but never did much more than that.

In 2010 I submitted the picture to be published in a book about fans and their experience around baseball.  In April, 2012, I found out the picture was indeed chosen for the book and it can be seen on the back cover as well as the opening picture for chapter 7.  With that news, I decided to make a 20" by 30" canvas of the print for former Red Sox players to sign.  Over the past 3+  years it has developed into the centerpiece of my collection.  It has now become a conversation piece with guests and what I think is cooler, the players I ask to sign it.  Players such as Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Luis Tiant, Carl Yastrzemski, Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn, and Pumpsie Green among others  have signed it. 

So if you're looking for that unique piece, take a look at your camera or phone and see what you can make from that. It is inexpensive, personal and most importantly sentimental, which generally leads to great memories.

Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts Autograph Appearances

Red Sox fans, this is a great opportunity for you.  Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts & shortstop and 2013 World Series Champion, Xander Bogaerts are making a public autograph appearance on Thursday April 14 in Braintree Mass..  Do not miss out on meeting these young exciting future stars.

As I've said in other posts, this is the best time to meet these young athletes. One because they are still new and fresh, two because they are accessible, and three because their autograph is inexpensive.  Their price will only go up and already has, so take advantage of this now.  Pricing for regular items are $69 per autograph per player and $89 for premium items per autograph per player.  Inscriptions such as 2013 WS champs or a personalization costs and additional $29 each. 

For more information you can check the following websites:
www.newenglandpicture.com
www.sureshotpromotions.com