Hobby Topic

Another post in our new series Hobby Topics. This is not so much a post for us to comment about or give our opinions on, this is your chance to let your voice be heard on a variety of topics in the hobby. We are leaving the floor open to you! So comment away! But please no language and keep your answer clean as we do have a younger following as well.

Today's Topic will be about TTM (through the mail autographs)

Do you do through the mail autographs? What's the best one you have ever gotten? What's your usual return time?

Let's hear your thoughts!

TTM Auto Sucess: Part 1 John David Booty

This was the very first card I ever got back signed from a pro athlete using through the mail process. I sent it to Minnesota Vikings team address not much longer after the draft. A couple of months later my patience was worth it as I checked the mail and found this.

John David Booty at the time I thought was going to be the next Vikings starting qb.I thought I landed an autograph of a future superstar. I guess you can say I was wrong, but either way, it was nice to receive his autograph and it was nice of him to sit down and sign the card to be returned with a busy rookie schedule.

TTM:Through the Mail Autos

TTM, otherwise known as Through the mail autos can be a fun experience for any collector. The anticipation of possibly landing your favorite player from your favorite team. Wow. You can drool just thinking about it. I have only been lucky enough to land one of my favorite players from my favorite team the New York Giants. But I have landed other autographs from pro athletes using Through The Mail.

The Giants player I recieved is RW McQuarters who I sent this Topps card to after the Giants had won Super Bowl 42. I was actually shocked to have gotten it back. I sent him a letter of thanks for making big interceptions in the playoffs that season to help carry the Giants through to the Super Bowl. And to show his appreciation for me as a fan, he sent me the card back signed.

I have some tips on how to land some autographs from your favorite teams without having to spend anymore than 2 stamps.

1st: Send to the team headquarters and ATTN to the player you desire
2nd: Don't aim for the star players. You most likely will never see them back
3rd: Best time to send is in the off-seasons for any sport
4th: Send a SASE with a stamp on it with a card included. Don't ask for too much
5th: Make your letter personal. Don't just type up a generic letter. Make it about their career and yourself.

I have not had great success, 12 returned out of 60, but I did have some returned and these were my keys to success. I wish you all luck and I will be sharing on and off which ones I got back. One of those is posted here.

If you have any other questions just leave them in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them.