Upcoming Autograph Shows and Baseball Card ShowsAutograph shows provide us autograph collectors the opportunity to meet athletes and celebrities and get their autograph. Many of these events occur at baseball card shows, new store openings, sports memorabilia shows, sports athlete autograph signings, celebrity book signings, and autograph collector conventions. If you have never been to a sports memorabilia show, I recommend you check it out if only to catch a glimpse of the famous athletes and celebrities who are there signing autographs, along with the autographed sports memorabilia and sports collectibles on display for sale. The upside to these events is that they are a controlled environment, and you are virtually guaranteed to get a signature (they will reserve the right to not sign specific items at their discretion). Many people are very friendly and will chat with you, and some will also allow you to take a picture of them or with them if time permits. There are exceptions however - Willie Mays, Randy Johnson, and Bill Russell coming to mind.. The downside is, depending on the person and more importantly, the promoter, they can get somewhat expensive. On the other hand, many autograph show promoters offer free autographs from celebrities or athletes who make appearances that may not be as well known or have lower demand. This is a great opportunity to get autographed sports memorabilia from top prospects and rookies before they become superstars.
How to Find Upcoming Autograph ShowsI use various resources to stay informed on upcoming sports autograph shows in my area along with private athlete autograph signings through sports memorabilia dealers. The majority of them offer mail order service, where you can send in your own item to be signed or choose from the promoter or sponsoring sports memorabilia shops inventory.The Sports sections of local newspapers also announce athlete appearances and free athlete signing events - such as the grand opening of a store, for instance. Be sure to research the event for specifics on dates and times, along with information on any restrictions of what will and wont be signed. For instance, many celebrity book signings and free celebrity autograph signing events prohibit sporting memorabilia, collectibles, and signatures on items other than the specific book being promoted. You should definitely bookmark Signings Hotline along with this page here to stay current on autograph signing events in your area, as well as for mail-in private sessions. provides free information on upcoming shows and athlete signings, along with premium member deluxe signings access to member-submitted tips on celebrity appearances. I've found these member only tips to be invaluable when it comes to information on celebrity appearances at retail locations or events that are not advertised as prominently as a major show would be. I have found many autograph events and sports memorabilia shows through Signings Hotline that I would not have ever known about, and I can't recommend it enough to stay informed.
Baseball Card ShowsBaseball card shows provide collectors of all ages and categories of sports autographs the chance to get autographs and shop for baseball cards, and authentic autographed sports memorabilia.Many dealers who sell baseball cards have diversified their selection in response to memorabilia collectors demand and have started selling sports memorabilia, and some cool sports collectibles now, too. Baseball card shows frequently have celebrity autograph guests that sign for free or a relatively small fee. This is a great way to get autographs from players either on the way up to superstar status, or those that are retired from the game. With the baseball card hobby evolving into one that seems more and more focused on autographs and sports memorabilia, you can also find great deals on sports autographs on sports cards with game used jersey or baseball bat insertions. For instance, the last show I went to, I picked up a signed Chipper Jones card for $25, while the going price for a signed baseball a couple of tables down was over $100!
Store Grand Opening Autograph EventsThere is a growing trend for retailers to feature autograph guests at their store grand openings, and new product promotion events.For instance, I met and got Curt Schilling's autograph a couple weeks after the Arizona Diamondbacks won the 2001 World Series. He made an appearance at a store opening for a cell phone provider in Scottsdale, AZ and signed for 2 hours. Even though Schilling had brought his own publicity pictures to sign, he was willing to sign baseball memorabilia. At the time, Schilling's popularity was through the roof, and this was a great opportunity to get his autograph that would have easily cost hundreds of dollars at a traditional autograph show! Speaking of store openings, I also had the chance to meet movie star Jaime Pressly at a store appearance where she was promoting her line of clothing. She was very nice, chatting with people and signing multiple autographs. She is A LOT more photogenic than I am - I'll definitely leave the glamor modeling to her!
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