Autograph Collecting at Abby's:

We work with many of the top dealers and companies in the Sports Card industry to obtain the Autographed Memorabilia that we offer here. Upper Deck Authenticated, Steiner Sports, and the various Card Companies help us maintain the integrity of our products. As collectors ourselves, we work hard to gain and preserve the trust of our customers. We take great pride in continuing to provide the products, customer service, and reliability that our customers have come to expect.

Choices, Choices, Choices...

Take a look through the various categories of autographs below. Click a category name below and enjoy what you find...

The items offered here will change as new products come in and out of our inventory. Please check back every now and then to see what we currently have to offer.

• Baseball

• Football

• Basketball

• Hockey

• Nascar

• Golf

• Misc.

The $64,000 Question:

For most folks, and we include ourselves in this group, the thought that their favorite athlete (or movie star) personally handled and signed a card or photo and then returned it is an intriguing idea. The reasons may vary greatly, but the allure of autograph collecting is quite strong. Just look at most card companies these days. They all tout the number of autograph and game-used cards that are included in their sets. And collectors are paying top dollar for these autographs.

Honestly, whatever reasons you have for beginning a collection of autographs is great. There are no wrong answers to this question. Have fun with it and hopefully, you will enjoy the hobby for many years and pass it on to others.

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide where to start and how to proceed if you are new to the field. Here are some suggestions for the beginner or neophyte collector and some reminders for the seasoned collectors.

• Write a sincere letter, generally no more than 1 page. Sometimes, the 'sincere' part is hard, but you get good at double talk and back-handed compliments with practice. There is no denying it is easier to write to people you respect and admire, but as your collection grows, you will probably want to add people who have been involved in historical events and/or held a position of prominence. DO NOT write a letter that's obviously canned or a form letter. That's an insult to the person you're asking a favor from. I've seen little difference in responses between hand-written and typed letters. Keeping it legible is more important.
• Always enclose a SASE, unless you are writing to someone with franking privileges. NASA, US Representative, and Senators can all use official mail. However, for others, it is just common courtesy to enclose a SASE. And in my personal experience even if they DO have access to free mail, your chances of a successful reply INCREASE with your own SASE. Don't let being cheap affect your chances.
• There are varied opinions on whether you should enclose something to sign. I think with marginal signers it does help. By purchasing your own photos or cards to send out, you can choose the item you want to have signed. On the other hand, at $4-5 or more per photo (and some cards), you can invest a lot of money. Again, this is situational but I would say in 99% of the cases send something, on the off chance they do not have anything to return so you have SOMETHING, even if its only an index card.
• Don't be too coy with your letter. If you want a signed photo, come out and ask for it. I find beating around the bush usually doesn't work. Be tactful though. I usually say "I've enclosed a large return envelope in hopes you might have a photo to send", or something to that effect.
• You can pretty much forget any of the stars of TV and movies. Same thing for the big sports stars. They just get too much mail to possibly respond to it all. We probably have had a 100 requests for addresses for the cast of 90210, Harrison Ford, the Beatles, Mark McGwire or Ken Griffey, Jr. Save your time and money. There are always exceptions though, so if you feel strongly about it, go for it.
• No matter how big the fame, a little flattery still helps. Obtaining reference material is invaluable. A $6 Video movie guide can do wonders. It will list all of the movies for an actor or director, and a review of each movie. The reference section of your local library is a treasure trove of information for Nobel winners, authors, artists, sports stars, and general biographies. An informed letter is a hundred times better than a form letter or any generic letter which is a no no. Remember, you are their biggest; fan shouldn't you know a LITTLE about them?
• If you have an angle or inside connection, exploit it unmercifully.
• When enclosing items, don't go overboard. Many people will only sign one item; no more than two or three at the maximum. Some people ruin future signing habits of people by sending a ton of items "for their five grand kids" etc. Don't think they haven't heard EVERY excuse in the world. If you need multiples, wait a respectable length of time and write again.
• Read various autograph magazines for a source of photos to send for autographs, like Autograph Times (preferably) or Autograph collector.
• Obtain a source of addresses. You can ask here, but you will find it is very convenient to have your own. Depending on your area of interest, there are several available. Jim Weaver (WeaverJim@aol.com) sells four lists that are well worthwile for entertainers and musicians. Juergen Esders (JPEsders@Compuserve.com) sells an extensive address list of astronauts and cosmonauts. Harvey Meiselman (HMeiselman@aol.com) makes THE best list of Sports Addresses, and also publishes a list called "Men and Women of Distinction, which covers Politicians, Military Hero's (Aces, Medal of Honor etc), Authors and many more not covered by Jim or Juergen, above. Many libraries also have the Who's Who series of books.
• I find the local Office Depot is a great source for envelopes. Much cheaper than buying smaller quantities elsewhere. I buy equal amounts of 9x12 and 10x13 envelopes. I use the 9x12 for the SASE and mail it in the 10x13. I get them for $6 a hundred at the local discount office supply stores. Or, buy all 9x12's, and fold your SASE in half inside the manila folder holding your letter and items.
• I've found, unless your mailbox is big enough for the 9x12, that it is best to use cardboard that is flexible so the mail delivery person can bow them a bit. If you use thick cardboard, it and the photo will bend when they are crammed in your mailbox. I cut the tabs off of manilla folders and use them. Works great. I use 78c of postage each way for 1 pic sent. Or, do as I do, use a PO Box and not have to worry about bent folders, the rain, etc.
• Treat your mail person well. Your entire collection will pass through their hands. I'm on a first name basis with the folks at my local Post Office where my box is, and know their families. Ergo, I get treated VERY well, considerations are made when I'm not around and so on. Of course, it is a small PO and that helps.

If you have any further questions, drop us a line. We'll try to shed more light on the subject and get you started out right...