Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

[Buzzybean]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

Funny I stumbled upon this because I am looking to have a couple team issued and game used jerseys signed...

It seems Sharpies fade over time or become washed out, but isn't that mostly due to UV exposure? Has anyone had good luck with a paint pen signature on a jersey? I'm wondering if paint pen would crack or chip if the jersey was flexed. I have signed footballs and helmets, but the jersey signature seems to be a little more tricky.

IMHO, the only thing cooler than a game worn jersey is the same jersey, signed by the player.

If you are concerned that the signature may ruin the jersey, why bother getting it signed?

[Buzzybean]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

Regarding the comment that the autographs bleed and fade over time, maybe I have been real lucky, but I have yet to have that problem. Some of the jerseys were signed nearly 20 years ago and they are still as fresh looking as the day they were signed with a black sharpie.


Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Can you post pics of these signatures on the jerseys, please? I'd like to see myself how well these have held up over time. You certainly may have lucked out.

[gingi79]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

Many hockey collectors have found a way to have their cake and eat it to. The fight strap.

Many collectors have the fight strap signed, thereby getting their favorite item adorned with the player's John Hancock but it is hidden from view so collectors who don't want autographs on the items are still just as interested.

While Football, Basketball and baseball don't have this option, I just wanted to pass it along for hockey collectors.

[MLB~NUT]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

It's not a dumb question and your comment makes no sense, Sir.

Typing on a ipad, while feeding a newborn a bottle of milk! Lol I meant itd be like buying a corvette zr1 and never driving it because your afraid the value will drop! It lost its value when you drove it off the lot! I say its your jersey once you buy it, and to me its about the memory of meeting the player who wore it seeing their reaction to it, and having them sign and or inscribe it in front of you! Which to myself is a pretty damn cool experience! Seeing how most memorabilia comes signed nowadays anyway, I prefer my items used by players I collect to be signed by them as well!!!

[64SHEA]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

It seems the op is upset at the very thought of someone having a jersey signed. Your concern could also apply to a non game used jersey. I have a few signed jerseys and have never had any problems. An autograph doesn't just fade something causes it to fade be it UV light, humidity, contaminants, temperature, et cetera. Personally I prefer my game used items to be signed preferably inscribed with "game used" and the date (if known). Its a personal preference. You don't want your jersey signed don't get it signed.

[trsent]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

@Joel - You've found that "most collectors" prefer having signatures on their game used jerseys? What is their rationale? Just curious as to your take, as you seem to have a lot of hobby experience.

I think others have explained it well. The talk of all signatures on jerseys fading or smearing is just silly. If you use proper pens signatures last. People often use the wrong pen or wrong location, but most people know how and where to have a jersey signed.

I have found collectors appreciate a signature on the jersey overall. A few die hard game used collectors on here appear opposed to this, but most people like a signature to enhance value. An inscription such as "Game Used 2009" also looks nice to many and most collectors.

Not every collector is a die hard. Most are casual collectors and big fans.

[Samets]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

I personally do not have a single jersey autographed and stay away from autographed jerseys but if I had a chance to meet the athlete and have him personally sign the jersey, it would be a keeper for me.

[Preston]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

I see both sides of this argument, but as a previous poster said, using the correct pen is CRUCIAL...for me I typically stay away w/ jerseys w/ white numbers signed in blue Sharpie - that's asking for disaster. I've gotten a few of my gamers signed but for EVERY one of them I've used paint pens and those are good long-term.

I'm all for getting non-gamers signed, I've got quite a few of those, but for gamers I'm VERY selective. For instance my Eddie gamer from the playoff game I got him to inscribe "1-3-04 Baltimore" and sign it - navy numbers, silver decocolor paint pen. Looks great and decos have long been known to not fade.

Again, personal preference, but if I feel like there's a great enough chance to where the right jersey is signed w/ the right pen in the right situation where the player can take his time and does switch pens, then I'm for it. But if not, I would choose to get an alternate item signed. I do prefer buying game jerseys UNSIGNED if at all possible so that I can have the choice to either get it signed or leave it unsigned.

[Mulligans]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

I personally enjoy getting my Football Jerseys signed.....I would also add that many NFL players swap their GU Jerseys with each other and most of them have them signed.......That's GOOD enough for me!!

The never ending debate....to sign or not to sign....to wash or not to wash????

You just gotta understand that its a personal choice and your position is not automatically the correct one........

[MLB~NUT]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

I personally enjoy getting my Football Jerseys signed.....I would also add that many NFL players swap their GU Jerseys with each other and most of them have them signed.......That's GOOD enough for me!!

The never ending debate....to sign or not to sign....to wash or not to wash????

You just gotta understand that its a personal choice and your position is not automatically the correct one........

X2, Thank you

[gadsden86]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

I have found this thread to be a great amount of info on what i thought was the norm of all people wanting there jresey signed.
I am on the side of getting it signed, I have a few jerseys that i am hoping to get signed and part of the reason i haven't gotten them framed.

I think that this is the little kid in me. I am 29 and still LOVE to meet players even if they are younger than me it is a hoot.
I think at that point if i can get them to sign a jersey if i have it it makes it that much more personal and less of a chance i will sell / trade it.

Just my 2 cents,

[MUSEOVEN]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

Hello i have almost my jerseys signed and i loved the look and the face of the person Who used the jersey when they sign

[JDubbs73]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

I, too, can see each end of the equation here. I lean more towards the "purist" side in wanting to preserve the game integrity of the item. Though having the opportunity to share it with the player has to make it that much more meaningful. It has been interesting to hear everyone's opinions and/or position.

[G1X]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

Can you post pics of these signatures on the jerseys, please? I'd like to see myself how well these have held up over time. You certainly may have lucked out.

As Joel, Preston, and others have stated, the secret is not so much having good luck as it is using the proper pen and avoiding things in the envrionment that will cause the signature to fade. Black sharpies have seemed to work well for me, but I am not making any endorsements one way or the other on the type of pen to use.

Posting photos really wouldn't prove too much as I did not photograph the jerseys when they were originally signed, so there is nothing to compare the current signatures to with regards to degradation, fading, etc. All I can say is that I have had a few jerseys signed over the years, and also purchased a few that were already signed, and I have never had a major issue with fading, smearing, etc.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

[jjwatt83]

Re: Why do collectors have their jerseys signed?

I see both sides of this but I have alot of jerseys signed as well and none of them have faded over the years. My only issue is I usually like to display the back of a jersey with the name showing but when signed on the front it gets hidden.