OT: Memorabilia/Autograph Collections?
I have this pretty sweet lithograph of the '97 title team that has a bunch of the players' autographs at the bottom, in a big maize and blue frame. Other than that I have signed 8x10's of Coach Rod, Tate, and Shoelace and a white jersey with some signatures from Odoms, Koger and Shaw. I'm working on getting autographed Woodson and Howard jerseys but the framing costs more than the actual jersey, so I'm saving up for a while for that.
Keep this website somewhere handy for next fall (2011) http://www.umich.cmarket.com when the third installment of the UofM Maloy Cancer Scholarship fundraising auction starts up again. We've held the auction for three years now and as you can see from the site from the '09 auction, we get tons of former Michigan players and many non-UofM pros contribute their autographs for the cause.
I'm not much of a collector myself but I do have two baseballs on my desk. Both signed in person. One by Sadaharu Oh, signed in japanese and English by the former Japanese league homerun champ. The other is the orange seamed commemorative baseball from Cal Ripken's Jr.'s consecutive game streak signed by Cal. The record was broken on my birthday and I lived in the D.C. are as a kid far before the Nationals so the Orioles were the only game in town. Accordingly, I find that ball sentimental.
One of my favorites is my Charles Woodson Detroit News Heisman Trophy winner poster. I had it framed here in Tennessee and it sits proudly on my wall downstairs. It serves as a great big middle finger to the Vol nation, because we all know that Peyton Manning was supposed to win the Heisman trophy in 1997. Never mind Woodson was a far better player and...sorry, old wound I'll let it go. I'm also very fond of my autographed Steve Yzerman jersey, which as you stated cost a mint to have framed.
I have a Christmas decoration of Gordie signed; a signed Fedorov card.
I also own a signed photo of Mike Hart, and a stick signed by Red.
My dad and I have been collecting since I was younger. We have a nice collection going.
There's a lot, but my favorites are Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen scorecard, Wayne Gretzky's stick off the bench signed, Gordie Howe, Tiger Woods signed Masters flag and Augusta scorecard signed, and Steve Yzerman's jersey signed.
We have quite a few pictures, some bats, baseballs, books, a ton of golf flags etc. We're collecting for my ultimate man room one day. We got most of them in person, rather than buying, which makes them more sentimental, too.
M- Braylon Mini, Woodson jersey, McGuffie jersey (oops), Bo card, Visor with Mike Hart auto, numerous items from various fan days, numerous cards of M players still in Michigan uniforms, Gerald Ford autograph from the opening of his library
Barry Sanders- 3 jerseys, 2 fs helmets & 1 mini, 2 fbs, a signed ticket from his 12th consecutive 100 yard rushing game in Miami, 8x10, numerous cards and a pair of game worn gloves (unsigned) from a playoff game against Tampa.
Tiger's greats poster signed by all living but Sparky who didn't show up at the signing
Nolan Ryan- Rangers jersey and 5000K paper signed
Stevie Y autographed stick
Jerry Rice Raiders jersey
Gretzky Kings jersey
MJ- Jersey, 8x10, and Barcelona Olympics bball
The Worm- Bulls jersey and this neat cup I got at a McD's in Chicago that his hair changes colors depending on temp of cup
Magic-jersey from his first Roundball classic and commorative retirement poster from LA
Bill Clinton auto baseball from a rally in Flint.
These are just some of the most significant pieces to me.
Mine is mostly Michigan as well. I have a Chad Henne autographed helmet, a hat signed by Henne and Jake Long when they were on the same plane I was on a few years back, a Mike Hart autographed football, and a bunch of stuff signed at the last two football Fan days. Last year I got the DBs, O-linemen and D-linemen as well as Coach Rodriguez. I also have a signed copy of Billy Taylor's autobiography. I didn't get a signature, but a few years back I got my photo taken with Dan Dierdorf which was beyond awesome. Apart from Michigan guys, I have a Larry Bird autographed basketball, photos signed by Yogi Berra and Don Larsen (World Series perfect game pitcher) and a few items signed by Don Mattingly. I also have a signed copy of John McCain's book that my folks got back in 2000 and gave to me a few years ago. I think that about does it...
My collection is very small. I have a mini helmet signed by Charles Woodson and a Herman Moore signed jersey. Most of my collection is of items that are not signed.
I have several signed items:
Jerseys: Brady Orange Bowl, LaMarr Woodley Steelers, Joe Namath Jets, Mickey Redmond Wings, David Beckham LA Galaxy, Derek Jeter WBC.
Footballs: Tom Brady NFL, Michael Irvin NFL
Baseballs: Al Kaline, Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya
Cards: Bo, Dan Dierdorf, Reggie McKenzie, Steve Yzerman, Joe Sacic
Framed Picture of Bobby Orr "The Goal"
Helmet: Anthony Thomas Mini U of M
Lots of books and other stuff as well, way too much to count.
Looking back, I am very blessed and thankful.