Premiums paid for "cut" signature cards often raise eyebrows

“When the card companies, most notably Topps from my experience, started making these limited edition, with many "1 of 1", cards featuring notables from areas of history and entertainment, they were well received,” said John Hickey, sales development manager for Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas. “The usual sales venue seems to be eBay and, yes, they do bring multiples of the ‘basic’ signature involved. A few years ago, for example, I saw a 1 of 1 dual signed card of Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart bring, I believe, close to $7,000 on eBay; the intrinsic collector value of two nice cuts for these aviators would be in the $1,000 to $1,200 area combined.
Earlier this year Topps inserted “cut” sigs of the presidential contenders at the time in its first series of baseball cards. At that time, Topps reported that a Barack Obama "cut'' signature card numbered out of 15 sold for $3,122.88 on eBay, while Hillary Clinton's autographed card numbered of 18 went for $1, 325. Heffner said “cut” sigs of that duo usually sell for $50-$100 each.
“I can tell you, as a collector, I would much prefer to have the original item than a portion of it on a card. To me, the added value is all hype and the people who pay those exaggerated prices for items stuck on a card are not the people who are buying ‘true memorabilia,’” said Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house in South Dennis, Mass.
The historical cuts trace back to 2004 when Topps and Upper Deck introduced “cut” sigs of presidents. Topps inserted American Treasure cards in its baseball product, while UD had presidential signatures in its U.S. History release.
“We produced a set in 2004 called U.S. History that was pretty revolutionary,” said Chris Carlin, UD’s hobby marketing. The set had “cut” sigs of presidents and historic personalities. Since then Topps featured signatures of the signers of both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
“We did the first-ever DNA card last year featuring a piece of George Washington’s hair,” said Clay Luraschi of Topps. “In this year’s Allen & Ginter, we have DNA cards of Abe Lincoln, JFK and more.”
Upper Deck has countered with “Hair Cuts Signature” 1 of 1 inserts that combine a “cut” signature from a deceased personality along with a strand of their actual hair. Ten 10 “Hair Cuts Signature” inserts are randomly inserted in 2008 SP Legendary Cuts Baseball that just came out. The cards include George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Geronimo, Andrew Jackson, Alexander Hamilton and Babe Ruth. Card with a strand of hair but no signatures are included in Upper Deck’s 2008 Piece of History Baseball product that just went live.
Donruss came out with its Americana product in late 2007. It features autographs and pieces of clothing worn by movie stars along with sports figures. The April release of Celebrity Cuts featured cards with signatures of former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara.
Upper Deck also trotted out “Signs of History” this year. These feature signatures of every president plus some dual cards and a quad signature card, featuring the Mount Rushmore quartet of Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. There are two sigs per side, which means you can only display two of them at time.
Hickey offered these values for the quartet — Washington ($4,000), Jefferson ($2,500), Lincoln ($3,500) and Roosevelt ($300). But you can only display two at a time.
Signs of History unscratched redemption cards have sold for $1,600-$2,000 in recent eBay auctions — probably a little more than first came out.
Folks who make these purchases are rolling the dice. Sure they might capture a Washington ($4,000) or even the Mount Rushmore quad card, but there is a better chance of getting someone else.
Hickey said only Washington, Lincoln, John Adams, Jefferson and sometimes JFK are worth more than $750. On the flip side, Herbert Hoover is worth $100, while Jimmy Carter’s autograph can be had for $40. The current President Bush and his father and Bill Clinton go for around $100. Plus all the other presidents with the exception of William Henry Harrison are relatively inexpensive. Harrison is the real prize. The ninth president, Harrison gave a nearly two-hour inaugural address sans overcoat on a cold, wet and snowy day. His reward was a case a pneumonia that claimed his life just a month later. He was the first president to die in office; he had the shortest term, the longest inauguration speech; and other than Ronald Reagan, was the oldest person ever elected president.
“His (signature) is uniquely valuable only if signed during his very brief term of office,” Hickey said. A Harrison signature from that very short timeframe could be worth $7,000 to $8,000 and up, depending upon condition.
As previously mentioned, it’s not just political figures that capture the imagination and pocket books of collectors. A Joe DiMaggio "cut" signature is worth $150-$200. Mastro Auctions sold a Sweet Spot card with a Joe. D “cut” sig for $1,000, Marren said.