As A Autograph Collector you just never know

 As I think about what I want to say in this new blog post I stop and say who am I writing this for?? Are there readers who actually read my blog?? Should I care?? The answer should be obvious because why would the questions arise so yes it does bother me but I then say to myself I can use this blog for my benefit of keeping all of my collecting data here. My want list, my cards that I am proud of by showing a scan. As a collector yourself stop and think about why you collect, is it to show others your collection?? I bet a majority of collectors have done a want list and your a few cards away from having the whole set complete but you need those last 2 cards. You then search more for the cards and finally you have found the last 2 cards for completion. As time moves along you feel great about the achievement being done but don't you love discussing your collection with others?? This is what is missing in today's collecting society being able to discuss your collection with others.

As a autograph collector I have found this to be a bumpy road with some smoother roads and some with potholes but the last few weeks I am seeing a turn around with players as far as being a more positive route.  I was very fortunate to buy a nice collection of 2014 Women's National team USA sets, six to be exact. The set consists of 25 different players so I decided to try and get the entire set autographed, I sent to 22 of the 25 players and yes I do know this will not be an easy task but I am willing to try. When I write to a player I always am very honest and courteous and there are players who will sign 99% of the time just as there are players who refuse to sign at all. The first thing I do every morning is I go to my informed delivery to see if I have any autographs coming in the mail. Today I see 3 possibly a fourth as one is written in pen addressed to myself but my return envelopes I use my own address labels so I think I know who it is from. The last 3 mail days I have received 10 autograph successes and it appears to be from the new set I am attempting to complete. Here are some of my latest autograph through the mail successes.

There are some players who are very good about signing and some that take a long time and many who just do not sign. This player though has gone above and beyond. The first time I sent her an auto request I did not own any of her cards so I sent her 2 index cards to sign. When I got back her auto request she did not sign the 2 index cards but she went ahead and signed 4 cards of hers, I never knew the cards existed. The 3 cards above were from that ebay purchase that I sent out on the 19th of May and I got them back 10 days later. As you can see she signed 2 in silver and one in gold, the gold one actually in person looks easier to see. She is one of the best signers through the mail.

This was actually the first time sending to Gigi Marvin but I am pleased with the result. This is another card from the 2014 Team USA Women's Hockey set of 25 cards. So now I am at 3 signed and I know it will be a huge challenge getting them all signed but I enjoy the challenge as it keeps me wondering daily who I will get back as a success.

This card is from the 2005-06 U.S. Women's National Team card of Kristin King and this is another set that I am working on trying to complete. As you can see the front is not signed but she did sign the back of the card.

as you can see in this scan. I prefer the front of the card signed and I know why some sign the back as it is because they only have a black sharpie. I am glad she signed though but her thoughtfulness I am ok with what she did.

These 3 cards are of Alex Carpenter who currently plays for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women's Hockey League. Alex also played in this years Winter Olympics taking home her third Gold Medal with Team USA. Her and Hilary Knight have both won three Gold medals for team USA.

Here is another card from the 2005-06 U.S. Women's National Team of Sarah Parsons. Earlier in the year I sent to her 2 index cards and she signed them both and added a nice note. She said that she did have cards but they were at her Parent's home. So I got to thinking I wonder if she was in either of those 2 sets I am currently working on. Sure enough she was as I found the card on ebay and sent it to her in which see did sign. I now am at 8 cards signed for the 2005-06 U.S. Women's National Team set.

This card is not one that is seen very often as this card is the 1995 Globe Semic Manon Rheaume card. The back of this card is written in both English and Swedish. This shows her playing for Team Canada. This is one of her more tougher cards to locate. A majority of her cards were made by Classic cards which are commonly found but her inserted auto's by classic are not as easily found. I may try and send this one off for her autograph but the reason I have not is because she has changed how her autograph looks. She used to sign her full name but now she only signs her initials. She has one of the nicest looking autographs and is very consistent with it looking identical each time.

This is another card that I someday want to get signed by both players. I only have one card that has been signed by the two players depicted on the card. The main reason I do not have many is because you may get the first players auto send to the other player and never get it back. The easiest way would be in person but living where I live we do not see many players at card shows signing in person. I may try sending to some of the show promoters when the correct player is available. This card would be beautiful signed, maybe someday.

This card is from a relative of mine as we both share the last name and this card is the 1997 1st Bowman card of Chris Reitsma. Chris played for 3 teams, the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners. Chris was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round 34th overall in the 1996 MLB draft.

As some who read my blog I have slowed down quite a bit as my Wife is going through some medical issues and will be having surgery June 18th. Once this is behind us and we hope everything turns out positive I plan on getting more blog posts done but until then I still enjoy the hobby but I love my Wife much more than the hobby. Until the next post, Happy Collecting!!!