A Full Monte

Recently I have turned my attention to autographs, I like the idea of having a favorite player’s autograph on a card. The problem with autographs is that you have to trust that the signature is actually the person’s true signature. Too often there have been questionable signatures even on “Authentic” packed out and graded/authenticated cards so as a buyer it is always best to do homework and it helps to find a trustworthy seller.

 

While I would prefer to have autograph cards that come from one of the major card companies but not all personalities sign for these companies or the card design may not be something that I like, the Topps 75^th Anniversary autographs are a perfect example of disappointing designs. In this case I hunt out TTM or IP signatures and I have found a couple of sellers that have a nice selection of autographs for a reasonable price as well as having a solid feedback/history. I still check every autograph against other true signatures before I buy but I have added a couple of athletes that would normally be outside of my price range.

 

I am pretty excited to add this 2004 Topps Archives Fan Favorite Monte Irvin autograph from his time with the New York Giants. One mini collection that I am slowly building is autographs of Negro League players and Monte Irvin spent 9 years with the Newark Eagles, missing 3 seasons while serving in WWII. He later played 8 more seasons with the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs. He won a Negro League World Series Championship and another title with the Giants in 1954.

 

Irvin is still alive, 95-years old, and he has been a prevalent signer so his autographs are rather reasonably priced. He has a beautiful signature with a very unique “M” and “I” that stands out nicely.