Griffey rookie card/autograph

[EhDubya]

Hey guys, I hope someone could help me out here.

 

I have 2 Griffey Upper Deck rookie cards, and my younger brother always wanted one of them when we were younger, but I would never trade them. His wedding is coming up, and I was going to include a card as part of a gift, but was thinking of trying something that would go a little further.

 

Basically, I wanted to know if anyone had experience with mailing cards to players to ask for an autograph, with a self-addressed envelope included. Am I wasting my time and probably won't ever see this card again, either forcing me to buy one on eBay or give up my only other one?

 

Thanks in advance to the serious responses...

[cbbryan]

I did that when I was a kid and always had mixed results. Sometimes I received my cards back auto'd and sometimes I never received anything back.

 

I would call someone in the Media department in Seattle and tell them what you're trying to do. They'll tell you if it's possible.

[Garwilly]

Keep in mind that the offseason is looming. If you're going to to it, get it in the mail ASAP.

[illiniguy]

Hey guys, I hope someone could help me out here.

 

I have 2 Griffey Upper Deck rookie cards, and my younger brother always wanted one of them when we were younger, but I would never trade them. His wedding is coming up, and I was going to include a card as part of a gift, but was thinking of trying something that would go a little further.

 

Basically, I wanted to know if anyone had experience with mailing cards to players to ask for an autograph, with a self-addressed envelope included. Am I wasting my time and probably won't ever see this card again, either forcing me to buy one on eBay or give up my only other one?

 

Thanks in advance to the serious responses...

Griffey is perhaps the hardest guy to get an autograph of in the game today. Don't even bother with sending it to him through the mail.

According to sportscollectors.net Griffey has written back 2 times out of 70 in the last 11 years. The same person said they got him twice and yet, didn't include a picture for either one. Don't waste your card or stamps.

[CubbieBum]

Hey guys, I hope someone could help me out here.

 

I have 2 Griffey Upper Deck rookie cards, and my younger brother always wanted one of them when we were younger, but I would never trade them. His wedding is coming up, and I was going to include a card as part of a gift, but was thinking of trying something that would go a little further.

 

Basically, I wanted to know if anyone had experience with mailing cards to players to ask for an autograph, with a self-addressed envelope included. Am I wasting my time and probably won't ever see this card again, either forcing me to buy one on eBay or give up my only other one?

 

Thanks in advance to the serious responses...

Griffey is perhaps the hardest guy to get an autograph of in the game today. Don't even bother with sending it to him through the mail.

According to sportscollectors.net Griffey has written back 2 times out of 70 in the last 11 years. The same person said they got him twice and yet, didn't include a picture for either one. Don't waste your card or stamps.

 

I would still try calling the Mariners and explaining what you are wanting to do. Griffey always seemed pretty down to earth to me. He probably doesn't handle his own mail which is why he never autographs cards and sends them back. I doubt it would work but a phone call can't hurt. Since its not for profit and not for yourself it could happen.

[illiniguy]

Hey guys, I hope someone could help me out here.

 

I have 2 Griffey Upper Deck rookie cards, and my younger brother always wanted one of them when we were younger, but I would never trade them. His wedding is coming up, and I was going to include a card as part of a gift, but was thinking of trying something that would go a little further.

 

Basically, I wanted to know if anyone had experience with mailing cards to players to ask for an autograph, with a self-addressed envelope included. Am I wasting my time and probably won't ever see this card again, either forcing me to buy one on eBay or give up my only other one?

 

Thanks in advance to the serious responses...

Griffey is perhaps the hardest guy to get an autograph of in the game today. Don't even bother with sending it to him through the mail.

According to sportscollectors.net Griffey has written back 2 times out of 70 in the last 11 years. The same person said they got him twice and yet, didn't include a picture for either one. Don't waste your card or stamps.

 

I would still try calling the Mariners and explaining what you are wanting to do. Griffey always seemed pretty down to earth to me. He probably doesn't handle his own mail which is why he never autographs cards and sends them back. I doubt it would work but a phone call can't hurt. Since its not for profit and not for yourself it could happen.

And what you would get from them is a package with a schedule and a few things tossed in. Because honestly what would prevent everyone or anyone from doing this? Plus Griffey is not very autograph friendly at all. Your best bet is to get on Ebay and try and buy a certified autograph of Ken.

[EhDubya]

Thanks guys. I called, but they are closed (Labor Day). I sent an email, but will call again tomorrow.

[CubbieBum]

Hey guys, I hope someone could help me out here.

 

I have 2 Griffey Upper Deck rookie cards, and my younger brother always wanted one of them when we were younger, but I would never trade them. His wedding is coming up, and I was going to include a card as part of a gift, but was thinking of trying something that would go a little further.

 

Basically, I wanted to know if anyone had experience with mailing cards to players to ask for an autograph, with a self-addressed envelope included. Am I wasting my time and probably won't ever see this card again, either forcing me to buy one on eBay or give up my only other one?

 

Thanks in advance to the serious responses...

Griffey is perhaps the hardest guy to get an autograph of in the game today. Don't even bother with sending it to him through the mail.

According to sportscollectors.net Griffey has written back 2 times out of 70 in the last 11 years. The same person said they got him twice and yet, didn't include a picture for either one. Don't waste your card or stamps.

 

I would still try calling the Mariners and explaining what you are wanting to do. Griffey always seemed pretty down to earth to me. He probably doesn't handle his own mail which is why he never autographs cards and sends them back. I doubt it would work but a phone call can't hurt. Since its not for profit and not for yourself it could happen.

And what you would get from them is a package with a schedule and a few things tossed in. Because honestly what would prevent everyone or anyone from doing this? Plus Griffey is not very autograph friendly at all. Your best bet is to get on Ebay and try and buy a certified autograph of Ken.

 

 

Kind of ruins the sentimental point of the gift.

[UMFan83]

Hey guys, I hope someone could help me out here.

 

I have 2 Griffey Upper Deck rookie cards, and my younger brother always wanted one of them when we were younger, but I would never trade them. His wedding is coming up, and I was going to include a card as part of a gift, but was thinking of trying something that would go a little further.

 

Basically, I wanted to know if anyone had experience with mailing cards to players to ask for an autograph, with a self-addressed envelope included. Am I wasting my time and probably won't ever see this card again, either forcing me to buy one on eBay or give up my only other one?

 

Thanks in advance to the serious responses...

Griffey is perhaps the hardest guy to get an autograph of in the game today. Don't even bother with sending it to him through the mail.

According to sportscollectors.net Griffey has written back 2 times out of 70 in the last 11 years. The same person said they got him twice and yet, didn't include a picture for either one. Don't waste your card or stamps.

 

I would still try calling the Mariners and explaining what you are wanting to do. Griffey always seemed pretty down to earth to me. He probably doesn't handle his own mail which is why he never autographs cards and sends them back. I doubt it would work but a phone call can't hurt. Since its not for profit and not for yourself it could happen.

And what you would get from them is a package with a schedule and a few things tossed in. Because honestly what would prevent everyone or anyone from doing this? Plus Griffey is not very autograph friendly at all. Your best bet is to get on Ebay and try and buy a certified autograph of Ken.

 

I could see the media relations dept taking an interest in this and asking the OP to send the card to them so they can personally bring the card to Griffey to sign. I've heard of teams doing random acts of kindness like this in the past, but the OP would still have to be quite lucky/catch someone on the right day.

[rocket]

god, getting a s.a.s.e. in the mail as a kid was probably the most exciting thing in the world.

 

do kids still do that nowadays?

[cbbryan]

god, getting a s.a.s.e. in the mail as a kid was probably the most exciting thing in the world.

 

do kids still do that nowadays?

 

 

My son still sends out s.a.s.e. He gets mixed results too, but he smiles for a month when he gets one back.

[CubbieBum]

god, getting a s.a.s.e. in the mail as a kid was probably the most exciting thing in the world.

 

do kids still do that nowadays?

 

 

My son still sends out s.a.s.e. He gets mixed results too, but he smiles for a month when he gets one back.

 

What is this? I can't think of what a s.a.s.e. would be.

[BCVM22]

Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope. You include it so that if the recipient intends to reply, you aren't making him pay the postage.

[CubbieBum]

Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope. You include it so that if the recipient intends to reply, you aren't making him pay the postage.

 

Ah.

[Post Count Padder]

That would be cool, but just remember getting the card autographed ruins the value of the card. If you don't care about that and can get the auto, that would be a cool gift.

[abuck1220]

i guarantee an autographed ken griffey jr rookie card is more valuable than a non-autographed ken griffey jr rookie card.

[The Logan]

i guarantee an autographed ken griffey jr rookie card is more valuable than a non-autographed ken griffey jr rookie card.

 

Your sarcasm knows no bounds...

 

But your sarcasm is correct.

 

EhDubya... if those Griffey cards are in pristine condition, you should get them graded, not autographed. If the centering, edges, quality of them are top notch, if you get them graded and they come back a 10, guess what... they aren't worth $60 or $70 anymore, they're worth $1,000.

 

On the other hand, getting them autographed... yeah, it's only value comes in its sentimental value, because the card itself would then become worthless.

 

Even if the card comes back a 9, it's still worth several hundred as opposed to it's original book value of $70 or so. Not only that, but grading it puts it in a protective, indestructible case that will preserve its condition, pretty much till the end of time (or so they claim). IF you give it to him in a standard top loader it runs the risk of getting damaged or faded due to several conditions.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/1989-UD-Ken-Griffey-JR-RC-BGS-10-PRISTINE_W0QQitemZ150368914425QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_SM_Sports_Cards?hash=item2302af8bf9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

That's a 10 score on a Griffey RC that sold for $1,305. A 9.5 score sold for about $200. Huge drop off, but it makes the card worth much more than it actually is, and will protect the card forever.

 

I suggest doing that (for both cards). It'll cost around $20-$40 per card (not sure what prices are nowadays), but it could be worth it. I would suggest that, and then maybe trying to get a separate autograph, like maybe a baseball or something, off Ebay or a memorabilia site. (that is reputable, of course)

[cbbryan]

i guarantee an autographed ken griffey jr rookie card is more valuable than a non-autographed ken griffey jr rookie card.

 

Your sarcasm knows no bounds...

 

But your sarcasm is correct.

 

EhDubya... if those Griffey cards are in pristine condition, you should get them graded, not autographed. If the centering, edges, quality of them are top notch, if you get them graded and they come back a 10, guess what... they aren't worth $60 or $70 anymore, they're worth $1,000.

 

On the other hand, getting them autographed... yeah, it's only value comes in its sentimental value, because the card itself would then become worthless.

 

Even if the card comes back a 9, it's still worth several hundred as opposed to it's original book value of $70 or so. Not only that, but grading it puts it in a protective, indestructible case that will preserve its condition, pretty much till the end of time (or so they claim). IF you give it to him in a standard top loader it runs the risk of getting damaged or faded due to several conditions.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/1989-UD-Ken-Griffey-JR-RC-BGS-10-PRISTINE_W0QQitemZ150368914425QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_SM_Sports_Cards?hash=item2302af8bf9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

That's a 10 score on a Griffey RC that sold for $1,305. A 9.5 score sold for about $200. Huge drop off, but it makes the card worth much more than it actually is, and will protect the card forever.

 

I suggest doing that (for both cards). It'll cost around $20-$40 per card (not sure what prices are nowadays), but it could be worth it. I would suggest that, and then maybe trying to get a separate autograph, like maybe a baseball or something, off Ebay or a memorabilia site. (that is reputable, of course)

 

On the flip side of that, if the auto is crisp and clean and receives a 10 score................don't give it to your brother.

[abuck1220]

i guarantee an autographed ken griffey jr rookie card is more valuable than a non-autographed ken griffey jr rookie card.

 

Your sarcasm knows no bounds...

 

But your sarcasm is correct.

 

EhDubya... if those Griffey cards are in pristine condition, you should get them graded, not autographed. If the centering, edges, quality of them are top notch, if you get them graded and they come back a 10, guess what... they aren't worth $60 or $70 anymore, they're worth $1,000.

 

and the chance of them being graded a 10 are miniscule. plus it costs $ to have them graded.

 

On the other hand, getting them autographed... yeah, it's only value comes in its sentimental value, because the card itself would then become worthless.

 

completely wrong. get that card signed and authenticated by psa and it's worth more than what you said a 9.5 (which he also probably won't get) is worth.

[DanzaSlap]

Do people still pay money for baseball cards? I've got a bunch, but didn't think anyone (like, literally no one) collected them anymore.

[illiniguy]

Do people still pay money for baseball cards? I've got a bunch, but didn't think anyone (like, literally no one) collected them anymore.

Yes they do, just not from the late 80's early 90's when they were mass produced.

[cbbryan]

Do people still pay money for baseball cards? I've got a bunch, but didn't think anyone (like, literally no one) collected them anymore.

Yes they do, just not from the late 80's early 90's when they were mass produced.

 

And some of the rips on cards today are insane. There's some really high end stuff out there.

[Guest]

I had several hundred baseball and football cards from the early 70s to the mid 90s at my parents home in a box. At some point in the last 15 years my mom threw them all away. The crazy thing is she throws almost nothing away without protest.

 

I have no idea if any of them were worth anything, but I imagine I had at least a couple that were worth something. I know I had at least four Maddux rookie cards.