Autograph Collecting Dilema - Which Helmet? Dallas or TCU?

I'm preparing for the CSA Show in Chantilly, VA in July but can't decide what autograph to get? I collect mostly Dallas players and that includes both Dallas Texans franchises (the ones that moved to Baltimore and KC).

Len Dawson is signing at the show and he's a former Dallas Texan (see picture of helmet). But Bob Lilly is also signing at the CSA Show which leads to my dilema. I'm a Bob Lilly fan and thought it would look great to get a 1960 TCU helmet made by Helmet Hut.

Ugh! Which helmet do I get?!

St. Paul Saints Bobblefoot

As I blogged on Friday - eBay is selling plenty of the Bobblefoot SGAs. Here's one that's over $100 so far. Most seem to be around this price range.

If you get one, be sure to get one that has a ticketstub included - that increases its value from a collectability standpoint.

Sports Collector's Digest Contest - Topps Prizes

Topps opened the vault to Keith Olberman and Sports Collector's Digest.

Chris at the Gavel Chat blog has a link to a survey where you can win some of the Topps prizes - and they are pretty cool. All you have to do is complete part of a survey to be entered to win. Yea, "part" of a survey. You don't even have to complete the whole thing!

There's a video link on Gavel Chat with a description of the Topps prizes - the main prize is a Nolan Ryan Topps contract. Now that is awesome! There's also a link to the Olberman column with SCG.

My 2 Cents:
It's actually a pretty good survey. I like taking surveys like this because it gets you thinking. It easy to get so wrapped up in a hobby that you forget to take a step back and think about what you like, dislike, and look at hobby trends. This is one of those surveys that makes you think why you like the hobby and what you'd like the hobby to become.

Check it out and enter to win!

Best Baseball Stadium Giveaway? Bobble foot?

The St. Paul Saints will give the first 2,500 fans to a May 25 game a "bobble foot!"

It's interesting that the Saints' web site doesn't mention Minnesota Senator Larry Craig's bathroom bust, but the bobble foot design is a bathroom stall, with a foot that peaks out of the bottom and “taps” up and down.

The St. Paul Saints say this is for National Tap Dance Day. Yeah right! The web site says people tap their foot because they are impatient.

For those that don't remember, an undercover cop claimed that Craig "tapped his toes several times and moved his foot closer to my foot" while using an airport restroom. The officer claims this is code for seeking something other than "sparing a square."

How much will these sell for eBay next week?

Is Pepper Hastings leaving Beckett?

Blogging is a community event. You actually feel like you get to know people who post on your blog and vice-versa. You can get idea of what their personality is like and learn their interest.

Since Pepper started doing the majority of Beckett commentary on the blog, the community has started to expect:

• timely replies to Beckett bog entries,
• answers to questions on other blogs, and
• quick witted responses.

During an entry on Beckett's blog Thursday, Pepper announced that he only had a week and a half left. I'm not sure if that means he's leaving Beckett, leaving the blogging community, or heading to the campaign trail to be Ron Paul's running mate.

Either way - Pepper, thanks for all you did with the Beckett blog and for stopping by this one. Good luck in your next challenge.

NFL Rookies at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Stay on the look out for Canton, OH area shows, dealers, and Pro Football Hall of Fame Events.

All NFL rookies will visit the HOF in the next three months - this is due to their leaugue orientation program. This could be a great opportunity to get some rookie autographs. The HOF site has a list of all the rookie orientation visitation days.

MAB and John Lester Strike When the Iron's Hot

I received an email this week from MAB Celebrity Services about a Private Signing with John Lester.

Some will say this is aggressive and too slick. Some will say it is similar to the eBay freenzie that occurs whenever a sports figure or someone in pop culture makes the news. But I think it demonstrates MAB's service and speed to meet their customers' demands.

There are plenty of people who collect no hitter autographs on lithos, baseballs, or bats. MAB recognizes this and provides this service immediately to their audience. John Lester was already under contract with MAB.

I don't know how the prices compare to other no-hit pitchers or if Lester's prices have jumped because of this week's game. If you didn't get the email, check out the MAB site. I've gone to their shows in North Jersey, but I haven't done a private signing with them. I've heard from other collector's that their service and speed and is fantastic.

Howard Hop-a-Long Cassady OSU Autograph Signing

Some autographs add to the look of your collection and some enhance the look to your collection. This "Hop-a-Long" Cassady autograph enhances a collection.

I went with a friend to a Hop-a-Long signing Friday night by Cardboard Memories at the Buckeye Store in Polaris Mall. This picture shows why this is an autograph that enhances a collection. Cassady signed an official Ohio State University throw-back helmet (made by HelmetHut) from the 1954-55 season.

Of course, a signature of a 50's Heisman trophy winner would great on almost anything: football, current mini helmet, or a current OSU full-size helmet. But look at how much more authentic and unique this piece is because of the helmet.

Cardboard Memories did good job running the show. Except the line was a first-come-first-serve style. I think the numbering system (based on when you bought the autograph ticket) is better. Most of the line was outside the store and they allowed 5 people to enter at one time. Once inside they did a good job of keeping things moving, allowing anyone to have a picture taken with Cassady and giving you a free COA sticker.

Hop-a-long was nice to everyone, he didn't say too much to the guests, but he was very courteous with people posing for pictures. Especially with the guy in front of me who couldn't figure out how to turn his camera on!