What's the best item to autograph?

hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Lets say you are hunting for autographs at a tournament where you got a dozen or more players you want autographs of.

What do you bring to get signed?

A cue ball is one, but how many sigs can you fit on one?

A cue stick? Program? Poster?
 
I had a event poster with Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, Jim "King" Rempe and Kim Davenport's autograph next to their pictures. Unfortunately I lost it in a house fire, I would give up my best cue to have that back.
 
When I was a little girl, autograph books used to be all the rage. Everybody had one. I remember we used to fold each page diagonally after we got an autograph. I still have mine, and I have quite a few autographs from political peeps, Abe Lincoln's nephew, Senator Byrd, Ranger Hal, Bozo the Clown (the orignial), and Captain Kangaroo. :p

Mine looks something like this.
 

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I would imagine a cue ball and 9-Ball are the most popular things taken to get signed.

When I lived in England, I had the honor and priviledge of being able to go to the Mosconi Cup every year! From 1998 to I believe 2003 or 2004, it was played at York Hall in Bethnal Green, UK. Every year, I got all the players to sign the program.

One year Earl Strickland signed the shaft of his cue (Cuetec at the time) and gave the whole cue to me! The following year, Jeremy Jones had just gotten his signature series with Lucasi, and he gave me his Break/Jump cue. I was very fortunate having been only one of the few Americans there supporting Team USA!
 
Tournament programs, if available. I had/have a pad of black and white table tops with the autographs in the center, about 5"x7" IIRC. Magazine covers are good. Pictures cut from magazines, with enough room to frame at the sides. The 1993 World Wide Collectibles, Inc. set, if players from the set will be on hand. These have very, very, little value otherwise. Black and white or color 8x10 photographs, you can usually buy these from a vendor at major events.
Books authored by players, there are quite a few authors/players who attend major events, Ewa Mataya Laurance, for example.
Cue balls and/or numbered balls.
Cues, though not necessarily expensive ones;)
3x5 index cards, lined or unlined.
Cases, though I'm not fond of this idea, myself.
VHS/CD covers.
Tournament posters.
You are only limited my your own imagination. I collected autographs, though not just of pool players, for several years and it's amazing what collectors will come up with to get autographed. We are going to the Open, so I'm hoping to get a bunch of new ones, myself.
Good luck!

Edit: I'm pretty sure Jay Helfert woud be more than happy to sign any unsigned copies of Pool Wars! WOW! Glad I caught that typo!
 
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hang-the-9 said:
Lets say you are hunting for autographs at a tournament where you got a dozen or more players you want autographs of.

What do you bring to get signed?

A cue ball is one, but how many sigs can you fit on one?

A cue stick? Program? Poster?
Click to expand...

I think by far the best is a tournament poster or program signed by all the players. I will add also, players will sign something like that quicker then say a cue ball that will end up on ebay. A picture of you and the player together signed to you is the nicest keepsake of all. Do they even make Polaroid cameras anymore? Maybe a camera phone picture of you with the player you can develop later and an autograph you can attach and frame.
 
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hang-the-9 said:
Lets say you are hunting for autographs at a tournament where you got a dozen or more players you want autographs of.

What do you bring to get signed?

A cue ball is one, but how many sigs can you fit on one?

A cue stick? Program? Poster?
Click to expand...



Anything paper, and hopefully something that pertains to individual signing the autograph. Books by the indivual are great, old posters or New posters are great, and generally at these events they had a small booklet that covers the event with the players included.

JIMO
 
A few things to think about if you are going to get autographs:

1. Not a good idea to get multiples of the same item signed. Celebrities always assume some of these, if not all, will be sold for profit.
2. Before the event, experiment with what you are going to get signed and what implement it will be signed with. I had Stevie Moore sign the BD with his picture on the cover in green Sharpie and it didn't come out well.
3. If you are considering using a gel pen on paper, there is a trick that you can use for a bit of money {cheap} to turn a common Pilot gel pen into a much more expensive writing tool. http://www.instructables.com/id/Save-$200-in-2-minutes-and-have-the-worlds-best-wr/
4. Don't assume from rumors that players such as Mike Sigel or Earl Strickland will automatically expect money for an autograph. This has not been the case, in my experience, with either. I've heard this here, however.
 
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Thanks everyone. Going to be at the Seminole tour this weekend with my son, was not sure what I should bring along.

I think a paper thing like a tour poster would work best.
 
Photos are my preference...but I have an advantage.

If I grab a good shot of a player, I'll try to print 3-4 out that night in the room. I'll always offer a copy of it to the player, then ask them to sign a couple for me. Usually, we're both happy!

I have quite a collection of signed prints over the years.

I think a good photo is the best way to display a signature, and you don't have to answer-explain-describe who a player is, if their face is right there.

If it's handy for you and you own a digital camera-printer bring them with you if possible. And your set.....

Good luck!
 
How bout this instead???

If I were going to a gathering of pools elite, I think I'd bring a 2 ft. square of table felt. after signings you could frame it to hang in your man cave.......just a thought.....Dan
 
My cue butt if i can, but there's special pin for that, and I am not sure where to buy it.
 
I remember a local great from when I lived in Ohio that had a sneaky pete with autographs from just about everyone. For something like getting an autograph from the DCC all around, or US Open champ I would go with a CB so they could signify the year and tournament along with their signature.

So I would go with a sneaky pete for all the autographs and a CB for the champ.
 
I have a couple boxes of balls signed by players and about a dozen magazine covers, almost all BDs. There's one hot one of Jeannette Lee in a negligee, she gave me an odd little smile when she signed it that I'll never forget!
:p
 
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