Exploring the Different Types of Sports Card Autographs

Autographed cards hold a special place in the hearts of collectors. An autograph signifies a personal touch from the athlete and can dramatically increase the value of a card. However, not all autographs are created equal, and there are various types of autographed cards, each with its own characteristics. Below, we explore some of the most common types of sports card autographs. Understanding the differences between these types can help collectors make informed decisions as they navigate the world of sports card collecting.

In-Person Autographs

As the name suggests, in-person autographs are obtained by meeting athletes face-to-face, whether at a game, a public signing event, or another gathering. For collectors, the appeal of in-person autographs is their authenticity. Since in-person autographs are witnessed directly, the collector can be sure that the signature is genuine. In addition, in-person autographs provide collectors with the opportunity to procure an autograph on a unique item that may not typically be autographed. Additionally, many collectors value the experience of meeting their favorite athlete in person, often creating a lasting memory.

The downside, however, is that when a collector gets something signed in person he can be sure of its authenticity, but others cannot. This means that if you have an in-person autograph that you want to sell for maximum value, it is almost required that you get the item authenticated by a trusted authentication company like PSA, Beckett, or JSA, which costs time and money.  

Pack-Pulled Autographs

Pack-pulled autographs refer to signed cards inserted directly into sealed packs and/or boxes by the manufacturer. These autographs are typically found as "hits" in hobby and retail products, and are among the most desirable items for collectors. What makes pack-pulled autographs special is that they are random and rare; pulling any autograph out of a pack is hard enough, but pulling an autograph of your favorite star player or rookie (especially if the card is serial numbered or rare parallel), can feel like hitting the lottery.  The difficulty of hitting an autograph card out of a pack adds an element of excitement to the hobby, and these autographs typically demand more value than a similar in-person signed card.

Pack-pulled autographs come in two major varieties, on-card and sticker.  There are also cards that feature an embedded autographed item.

On-Card Autographs

On-card autographs are the gold standard for many collectors. As the name suggests, these autographs feature the athlete’s signature directly on the card itself, making for a clean and personal connection to the collectible. On-card autographs are typically held in higher regard than sticker autographs because of their direct interaction with the card itself and general aesthetics, making them more desirable.

Manufacturers such as Topps and Panini make it a point to include on-card autographs in their high-end products (for example, Topps Dynasty & Panini Flawless). These cards can be quite expensive, particularly if the athlete is a superstar or a rookie. The combination of potential different rarities, authenticity, and the physical connection to the player elevates the status of these cards in the sports card industry.

Sticker Autographs

Sticker autographs are increasingly common in modern sports cards. Unlike on-card autographs, where the athlete signs directly on the card, sticker autographs involve the athlete signing a separate sticker, which is then applied to the card. Sticker autographs have a distinct look, as the sticker can sometimes appear slightly misaligned or raised above the surface of the card.

While sticker autographs are more cost-effective for manufacturers to produce—the athlete can sign sheets of stickers rather than individual cards—they can be divisive in the collecting community. Some collectors prefer the aesthetic and authenticity of on-card autographs, and feel that an athlete physically handling an individual card to sign it is much more personal than an athlete signing a sheet of hundreds of stickers which end up on cards he will never see. For these reasons, sticker autographs are typically less valuable than on-card autographs. 

Cut Autographs

Cut autographs are a unique category of signatures that have been removed from other documents, such as contracts, checks, letters, or photographs. These cut signatures are often placed into a sports card or other collectible. Cut signatures are commonly used for players who are deceased thus no longer able to sign. Due to their limited nature, cut autographs can be particularly valuable, especially if the signature is from a legendary player or historical figure. Super high-end sets like Topps Transcendent have featured cut autographs from historical figures and legendary players including Abraham Lincoln, David Bowie, Dwight Eisenhower, Ernest Hemingway, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner and Cy Young, which typically see prices in the 4 to 5-figure range or more.

Cut autograph aficionados will tell you that the placement and size of a cut is extremely important. Card manufacturers need to be creative when choosing and placing cut autos, and a poorly-placed cut auto (or poorly designed card) can be hard to read or lack eye-appeal.

Conclusion

Whether they are on-card, sticker, or cut, autographed cards have become a staple of the hobby. If you have autographed cards or other signed memorabilia in your collection that you have questions about or are considering selling, please contact us - our product experts will be happy to assist you.