Monday, December 21, 2009

Where should the autograph go?

In the baseball card autograph world there is apparently a big difference between an autograph on the card and an autograph on a sticker on a card. But if the auto is on a card, does it matter where it is? I've only ever seen them on the front. Are they just as good on the back?

In the 1990 Best minor league set, and probably others, there is a place specifically set aside for autographs. Not on the front:

But on the back! Is that considered as good as on the front? If you wanted this card signed, which side would you want autographed?

7 comments:

  1. That's interesting---but I'd definitely want it on the front.

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  2. I think some of the Classic cards from the early '90s had a space on the back for an autograph.

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  3. I would always want it on the front. the mothers cookies cards had a spot on the back, but I would write in it, asking the player to sign it on the front when I would send them TTM. Now in my letters I specify that I would like the card signed on the front.

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  4. Didnt those Starting LineUp figurines have a little space on the back for autographs?

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  5. the permagraphic cards from the early 80s had a spot on the back for autographs. i have one with a steve garvey auto on the back. i wish it were on the front.

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  6. I've got a few cards that were signed on the back - one or two where the card company screwed up and put the wrong player's photo on the front, and one or two where the player just signed them on the back for some reason.

    I'd prefer to have the autograph on the front of the card, where it's a little more noticeable, but an autograph on the back is better than no autograph at all.

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  7. Front! You just have to hope the player has enough creativity not to a) sign across his face (it happens) and b) not sign with dark ink on a dark patch. If you're a person who receives autograph requests, consider investing in a silver Sharpie. :)

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