Sports Memorabilia

[Irish Insanity]

I also have a signed pic and plaque, I don't remember who it is, from the mid 90's I believe. I was at a car show, of all places, it was in the parts sales and it was only a few bucks. It's in its original box but has yet to make it out of my closet.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

So since obtaining my golf autographs, I've been doing some research and I've come across a predicament pertaining to golf pin flags:

I have three flags that I can purchase (unsigned) but the prices have been gauged because of who won the event. '15 Masters (Spieth), '15 PGA Championship (Day), and '16 US Open (DJ) - all are their 1st Major wins, which is important. All three flags cost $245 total. A ticket to a practice round to get the autographs is $25 (I'd go for 2 days probably). So for approximately $300 invested, I'd have three very cool (imo) collectibles and from what I can tell, the current value is roughly triple that.

The question: Who here thinks that I'm insane for considering paying $245 for three pin flags that aren't even signed?

Just for example, this is what I want to do and it's value is far more than the actual cost (even including the framing):

EDIT: I just purchased the 2015 Masters pin flag. Just going to stick with one instead of three and save the money.

 

[Steve]

I've got quite the collection that I have....collected. I will post some pics later tonight.

 

[Booslum31]

I have over 350 Wheaties Boxes. Haven't put anything into the collection for about 10-12 years. I have to check to see how much some of them are going for now. Like my 8 Bruce (err...Caitlin) Jenner boxes. My wife keeps threatening to put them by the curb.

 

[Wild Bill]

I have over 350 Wheaties Boxes. Haven't put anything into the collection for about 10-12 years. I have to check to see how much some of them are going for now. Like my 8 Bruce (err...Caitlin) Jenner boxes. My wife keeps threatening to put them by the curb.

Where the hell do you keep them?

I don't collect anything in particular but a buddy of mine gave me an autographed ND Montana jersey. Great gift, just not sure what the hell I'm going to do with it (besides hanging it in a closet).

 

[Booslum31]

Where the hell do you keep them?

I don't collect anything in particular but a buddy of mine gave me an autographed ND Montana jersey. Great gift, just not sure what the hell I'm going to do with it (besides hanging it in a closet).

The Wheaties boxes dominate a storage area in the basement. I had them all on display before kids. I have the Montana Jersey signed mounted in a huge glass frame in my office at work...kind of gawdy.

 

[Irish#1]

So since obtaining my golf autographs, I've been doing some research and I've come across a predicament pertaining to golf pin flags:

I have three flags that I can purchase (unsigned) but the prices have been gauged because of who won the event. '15 Masters (Spieth), '15 PGA Championship (Day), and '16 US Open (DJ) - all are their 1st Major wins, which is important. All three flags cost $245 total. A ticket to a practice round to get the autographs is $25 (I'd go for 2 days probably). So for approximately $300 invested, I'd have three very cool (imo) collectibles and from what I can tell, the current value is roughly triple that.

The question: Who here thinks that I'm insane for considering paying $245 for three pin flags that aren't even signed?

Just for example, this is what I want to do and it's value is far more than the actual cost (even including the framing):

EDIT: I just purchased the 2015 Masters pin flag. Just going to stick with one instead of three and save the money.

If you enjoy it and you can still pay the bills, go for it.

 

[Irish4Life09]

So last week/weekend I attended the BMW Championship event. I got quite a few autographs. Unfortunately, I didn't go there for the signatures originally, so I was totally unprepared.* Basically, I just got my ticket signed. It's still cool, but I'd much rather have the BMW pin flag signed and framed. *Example of how unprepared I was: Patrick Reed and Adam Scott both walked right by me. I said hey, good luck this week...something to that effect. They said thanks and moved on (meanwhile signing everyone else's stuff...Ugh!....When two of the top golfers in the WORLD are standing next to you...you get a signature. Rookie mistake)

I could've got the whole field, but I stuck to most of the bigger names. Jason Day is probably the nicest guy on tour. Speith was down to earth too. Justin Rose signed "GOLD" on any Rio flag that came his way (cool idea, wish I had thought of that). Zach Johnson was nice but you could tell he's annoyed by the ebay collectors. He personalized most of his stuff so you can't resell it. Rory, Rickie, Bubba, Phil, Kuchar, and a few others were basically unapproachable "until after their rounds." I didn't have the time/patience to fight those crowds. Sergio is cool.

This brings me to the eventual winner, Dustin Johnson. Prior to this, he's probably a top 10 favorite golfer of mine. But now he's arguably #1...He didn't have time to sign prior to warming up on the range. Practice ran over, so he didn't have time after either. He singled my buddy, Josh and I out saying, "I didn't forget you guys. I'm sorry I don't have time now though. Can you meet me at #10 and I'll get you before I tee off?" So we walk over to the tee box half expecting to get blown off and we hear, "Hey, sorry about that guys. What do you want me to sign?" DJ walked out of his way (outside the protected player area) to find us and sign our stuff. This is one of the top players in the world. I was shocked. He got a life long fan that day. And I'm pumped that he 1) set the course record and 2) won the tournament.

Golf signatures on pin flags is a new obsession for me. I can't wait to grow this collection.

That's awesome. It is my obsession to get golf flags signed. I currently have ever major except for the British Open, plus I have both the Ryder Cup and President's Cup, as well as some other tourneys like The Memorial.(I plan on doing a giant shadow-box of all the majors and RC/PC once I get the British completed.)
However, my most prized possession are my 3 signed golf balls from Jim Furyk, Davis Love, and Bob Tway when I got to be a standard bearer during the ProAm,1st, and 3rd round final pairing for the 1998 Tour Championship.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I am trying to get rid of some stuff around the house. I am selling Wins, Losses, and Lessons signed by Lou Holtz. If anyone is interested just PM me.

 

[GATTACA!]

How did I miss this thread? My bad

 

[Armyirish47]

I'm going to resurrect this thread and try to keep it more active.

I just got back last night from the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago and it was an incredible experience. The size and scope of what was available was really overwhelming the first couple of days. Sadly I did not get to add a single Notre Dame Upper Deck 2013 auto to my collection, but I did get a couple leads I hope will pan out.

My most interesting purchase was a Notre Dame Shake Down the Thunder ice bucket. It's going to look sweet in the cave. My wife also got to take a picture with Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair which was spectacular.

I'm on ebay daily so I'll try to put different things I find that might interest people on here every week or so.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm going to resurrect this thread and try to keep it more active.

I just got back last night from the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago and it was an incredible experience. The size and scope of what was available was really overwhelming the first couple of days. Sadly I did not get to add a single Notre Dame Upper Deck 2013 auto to my collection, but I did get a couple leads I hope will pan out.

My most interesting purchase was a Notre Dame Shake Down the Thunder ice bucket. It's going to look sweet in the cave. My wife also got to take a picture with Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair which was spectacular.

I'm on ebay daily so I'll try to put different things I find that might interest people on here every week or so.

If you come across any B&W pics of ND football let me know. I got this one of George Gipp. Found the frame and matte at Goodwill.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Love this thread. A follow up to my above post:

I purchased the 2015 Masters flag and went to the BMW Championship. Jordan Spieth graciously signed the Masters flag along with the BMW flag I purchased (Phil, Rory, Rickie, DJ, Rose, and JT all signed the BMW flag too). I also had the opportunity to go to the 2018 Masters. I purchased a flag there. But unfortunately Patrick Reed won that year and I can't stand him. I'm hoping to get it signed by Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo some day instead. And a huge rookie mistake moment occurred the following year when my neighbor went to the Masters, asked me if I wanted anything from the shop, I said no.....only later realizing I should've asked for another flag just in case someone I loved won.....Tiger won in 2019 UGH! Facepalm.

In other memorabilia news, I came across a box of my old sports cards from when I was a kid. I went down the rabbit hole on ebay of getting them graded. Wow that's a crazy world. Turns out I have potentially thousands of dollars worth of cards in a box but getting them graded is the hard part right now. I did go ahead and purchase a few of my childhood favorite cards that I remembered I wanted but was never able to collect. Two different Ken Griffey Jr Rookie cards and a certain Anfernee Hardaway Rookie card. Potential waste of money but the nostalgia is off the charts.

My dad told me a story recently about his childhood card collection getting stolen. I asked him if he recalled a favorite card. He said he loved his 1967 Topps Pete Rose card. So I found a PSA 1 grade and bought it for him as a gift. (Man, those things are expensive). He had a Mantle too but I'm not spending that much for a baseball card.

 

[Irishize]

My dad told me a story recently about his childhood card collection getting stolen. I asked him if he recalled a favorite card. He said he loved his 1967 Topps Pete Rose card. So I found a PSA 1 grade and bought it for him as a gift. (Man, those things are expensive). He had a Mantle too but I'm not spending that much for a baseball card.

getting cards graded by PSA or Beckett takes forever since COVID. They are 3-6 months behind last I checked.

Pete Rose cards still hold their value….crazy expensive for vintage 1963-1972. Anytime I see a good deal on a Mantle, I snag it.

 

[Irish#1]

I don't remember what happened to my baseball cards, but it was all 1960's. Big Yankees fan. I bet I had around 50 Mickey Mantle cards alone. I need to get busy building that time traveling machine so I can go back and get them.

 

[Armyirish47]

Love this thread. A follow up to my above post:

I purchased the 2015 Masters flag and went to the BMW Championship. Jordan Spieth graciously signed the Masters flag along with the BMW flag I purchased (Phil, Rory, Rickie, DJ, Rose, and JT all signed the BMW flag too). I also had the opportunity to go to the 2018 Masters. I purchased a flag there. But unfortunately Patrick Reed won that year and I can't stand him. I'm hoping to get it signed by Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo some day instead. And a huge rookie mistake moment occurred the following year when my neighbor went to the Masters, asked me if I wanted anything from the shop, I said no.....only later realizing I should've asked for another flag just in case someone I loved won.....Tiger won in 2019 UGH! Facepalm.

In other memorabilia news, I came across a box of my old sports cards from when I was a kid. I went down the rabbit hole on ebay of getting them graded. Wow that's a crazy world. Turns out I have potentially thousands of dollars worth of cards in a box but getting them graded is the hard part right now. I did go ahead and purchase a few of my childhood favorite cards that I remembered I wanted but was never able to collect. Two different Ken Griffey Jr Rookie cards and a certain Anfernee Hardaway Rookie card. Potential waste of money but the nostalgia is off the charts.

My dad told me a story recently about his childhood card collection getting stolen. I asked him if he recalled a favorite card. He said he loved his 1967 Topps Pete Rose card. So I found a PSA 1 grade and bought it for him as a gift. (Man, those things are expensive). He had a Mantle too but I'm not spending that much for a baseball card.

The whole grading scene is wild, the longest line at the National was people trying to grade STACKS of old cards, brand new cards, you name it, they wanted it graded and slabbed. Also what blew my mind, I never got into Pokemon or anything as a kid but those are graded now as well and they go for RIDICULOUS amounts of money. Even just unopened boxes were going for as much as $65,000.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

getting cards graded by PSA or Beckett takes forever since COVID. They are 3-6 months behind last I checked.

Pete Rose cards still hold their value….crazy expensive for vintage 1963-1972. Anytime I see a good deal on a Mantle, I snag it.

Yea, if I read correctly on PSA website, they aren't even offering grading prices to people like myself.

The 1967 Topps Pete Rose PSA 1 I bought was like $50. (I'm genuinely curious about the grading. The card looks like a 5 or 6, maybe higher....the PSA 1 listed on ebay right now looks beat to hell).

What kind of Mantle prices should I be looking for? Note: For the new cards (my generation 1990-2000s) I always look for PSA 9. But for my dad's cards (1960s mostly), I can't really afford anything beyond 1, 2, maybe 3 depending on player....esp Mantle. He really wanted the 67 Topps Mantle but I can't find it for less than $250 (PSA 2)

 

[Armyirish47]

This week I wanted to highlight one of the cool wrinkles of the NIL stuff, the ability for current players to get paid to make legit memorabilia signings. Typically before you had to hope what you were buying was legit or had to know it was being done in bulk under the table (Manziel *cough*) but now we have access to pieces much sooner and actually legit authenticated. Kyle Hamilton is a great example having everything from full size helmets to footballs popping up all over eBay. Is it a little pricey? Yes! Will it appreciate in value over time? Doubtful! BUT WAIT...you get to purchase it and display it proudly while a possibly generational talent is still suiting up. That's hardcore badass.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...leDesc=0&_odkw=notre+dame+autograph&_osacat=0

 

[Irishize]

Yea, if I read correctly on PSA website, they aren't even offering grading prices to people like myself.

The 1967 Topps Pete Rose PSA 1 I bought was like $50. (I'm genuinely curious about the grading. The card looks like a 5 or 6, maybe higher....the PSA 1 listed on ebay right now looks beat to hell).

What kind of Mantle prices should I be looking for? Note: For the new cards (my generation 1990-2000s) I always look for PSA 9. But for my dad's cards (1960s mostly), I can't really afford anything beyond 1, 2, maybe 3 depending on player....esp Mantle. He really wanted the 67 Topps Mantle but I can't find it for less than $250 (PSA 2)

Picked up a ‘67 Mantle at a show this past Saturday. It was probably “Good” condition and I paid $90. You could wipe your ass with a Mantle and still get $100 for it.

 

[Armyirish47]

Last week Topp's released Allen & Ginter which is a baseball card product that always has some other non baseball folks and some off the wall stuff to chase as well (like birds, yeehaaa!). This year they have one of my favorites Rocky Bleier in the set with autographs and plenty of chase cards.

https://www.cardboardconnection.com/2021-topps-allen-ginter-baseball-cards

 

[Irishize]

Last week Topp's released Allen & Ginter which is a baseball card product that always has some other non baseball folks and some off the wall stuff to chase as well (like birds, yeehaaa!). This year they have one of my favorites Rocky Bleier in the set with autographs and plenty of chase cards.

https://www.cardboardconnection.com/2021-topps-allen-ginter-baseball-cards

Not a big fan of A&G but that Bleier would be a nice pull.

Picked up a few blasters of Gypsy Queen a few weeks ago and pulled a numbered Alex Verdugo auto & an auto of a rookie Diamondback who is already in his late 20s and not even on the current roster (so it’s worthless).

 

[Armyirish47]

Not a big fan of A&G but that Bleier would be a nice pull.

Picked up a few blasters of Gypsy Queen a few weeks ago and pulled a numbered Alex Verdugo auto & an auto of a rookie Diamondback who is already in his late 20s and not even on the current roster (so it’s worthless).

I'll probably roll the dice and try a couple player case breaks this week, can't bring myself to buy boxes because of the wild swings. Where did you find some blasters? We still can't get any on shelves here because of the fisticuffs.

 

[BobbyMac]

I stopped at a garage sale to try and buy a Snap On tool box (a swing and a miss) but I found this in the package. They were asking $5. I got it and a pair of $50 Knipex wire cutters for $10.

 

[Irishize]

I'll probably roll the dice and try a couple player case breaks this week, can't bring myself to buy boxes because of the wild swings. Where did you find some blasters? We still can't get any on shelves here because of the fisticuffs.

Wal-Mart still stocks blasters…usually on Thu or Fri. I travel a lot so if it’s convenient, I’ll hit a small town WM & if they have blasters, I’ll buy a few to rip. I did it w/ Stadium Club and GQ. I refuse to pay “flippers” for blasters. Plus, Stadium Club & GQ aren’t huge in-demand sellers like Bowman & Topps Chrome tend to be. Good luck!

 

[Armyirish47]

HUGE news in the trading card world last week as Fanatics (yes, those guys selling you merch) essentially stole the entire trading card industry from everyone else. It will take a few years to shake out what this really amounts to but for now it just means they have the rights to all the major sports trading cards by like 2026.

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.c...s-nflpa-trading-card-license-in-20-year-deal/

 

[Irishize]

HUGE news in the trading card world last week as Fanatics (yes, those guys selling you merch) essentially stole the entire trading card industry from everyone else. It will take a few years to shake out what this really amounts to but for now it just means they have the rights to all the major sports trading cards by like 2026.

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.c...s-nflpa-trading-card-license-in-20-year-deal/

I knew Fanatics scored the MLB/MLBPA rights from Topps but had no idea they snagged the NFL & NBA, too. Wow!

There’s been speculation about what Topps will do for the last remaining years on their contract. Will they hike the retail & hobby prices even higher? Will they flood the market w/ overproduction creating another “Junk Wax” era out of spite?

 

[Armyirish47]

I knew Fanatics scored the MLB/MLBPA rights from Topps but had no idea they snagged the NFL & NBA, too. Wow!

There’s been speculation about what Topps will do for the last remaining years on their contract. Will they hike the retail & hobby prices even higher? Will they flood the market w/ overproduction creating another “Junk Wax” era out of spite?

The speculation I like the most is that Fanatics will buy some combo of current manufacturers, which I hope is Topps and Upper Deck (which would give them hockey and other stuff), and things will continue pretty much as normal.

I know if I was Topps and they didn't buy me it would be time for a FLOOD of product, with LOTS of candy coupons inside.

 

[Catholics_Rule]

I've to a good little collection of Notre Dame items for my office now. Little by little I would pick items up here and there. Sports Illustrated cover issues, football cards, magazines, books, glasses/cups, posters, etc.

There are two standout items for me.

1- I have is a Play Like A Champion Today poster from Steiner Sports that is signed by Lou Holtz and Charlie Weis. I purchased it at a discount when Charlie Weis was fired and I would take it to campus on game day to get signatures and occasional autograph signings. Brian Kelly, J. Lattner, J. Huarte, Joe Montana, Theismann, Hornung, Teo, Rudolph, H. Smith, Rees, Pickett, Rice, M. Floyd, Brooks, Tuitt, Nix, M. Edwards, Golics, L. Bradley, Sean Astin "Rudy", Hanratty, S. Young, C. Wood, T. Riddick. Those are the players on the top of my head. I haven't gotten any recent signatures in a few years. It's always a good conversational piece, especially when players are recognized and happy someone recognizes and know who they are.

I'm not sure if it will ever be "complete" as there are so many signatures I would still like to get. Really regretting I never got Ara on the poster. I'll have to get it out and post a picture sometime.

2- I had Father Hesburgh sign my book and he gave me his business card too.

Go Irish!

 

[ulukinatme]

I've to a good little collection of Notre Dame items for my office now. Little by little I would pick items up here and there. Sports Illustrated cover issues, football cards, magazines, books, glasses/cups, posters, etc.

There are two standout items for me.

1- I have is a Play Like A Champion Today poster from Steiner Sports that is signed by Lou Holtz and Charlie Weis. I purchased it at a discount when Charlie Weis was fired and I would take it to campus on game day to get signatures and occasional autograph signings. Brian Kelly, J. Lattner, J. Huarte, Joe Montana, Theismann, Hornung, Teo, Rudolph, H. Smith, Rees, Pickett, Rice, M. Floyd, Brooks, Tuitt, Nix, M. Edwards, Golics, L. Bradley, Sean Astin "Rudy", Hanratty, S. Young, C. Wood, T. Riddick. Those are the players on the top of my head. I haven't gotten any recent signatures in a few years. It's always a good conversational piece, especially when players are recognized and happy someone recognizes and know who they are.

I'm not sure if it will ever be "complete" as there are so many signatures I would still like to get. Really regretting I never got Ara on the poster. I'll have to get it out and post a picture sometime.

2- I had Father Hesburgh sign my book and he gave me his business card too.

Go Irish!

Listen, I love the guy...but one of these things is not like the other

In all seriousness, that is a hell of a collector's item! Lattner and Hornung are both sadly gone now, which makes it that much rarer.

 

[Irish8248]

Not sports but timely mention, I have a pic of ground zero, signed by President Bush who is holding a bull horn and embraced by firemen and first responders. Gives me chills every time I look at it