Autographs: A Collector's Bargain?

If there's one word that can sum up card collecting these days, to me that word would be "expensive".  With the emphasis on high-end, you can see "boxes" of 1 card in the $300 range (hello, Topps Dynasty).

So in the age of expensive collectibles, can autographs be a bargain?  I think so.

It goes without saying that in-person autographs require nothing but preparedness, time, patience and a little bit of luck; while through-the-mail autographs ("TTM's") require planning, a few stamps and a lot of patience.

But what about purchasing a legitimate autograph from a reputable source?  Let me present this comparison.

Who's the hottest rookie autograph in football right now?  In my eyes, it's Odell Beckham Jr.  But take a look at what his autographed cards are commanding... 

$100+ for an autographed card.  That's not really that bad, right? That's pretty much what a mid-range box of cards would cost. But yesterday, NFL.com had 11x14's of "The Catch" with a Mounted Memories COA for just $99 (they've since sold out).  They also have 8x10's for $89 and mini-helmets for $149.  Steiner Sports has a 16x20 of "The Catch" for $159.

Now I know that this memorabilia isn't as small or easy to store as a card; but it's something that I prefer because it can be displayed more prominently.  There's also less of a "chase" -- there won't be a better or more limited version made by another manufacturer this year.  There's another plus in my book.  For most people I want an autograph of, it's one and done.  Get it and cross it off the list.

Again, it's not for everybody; but I do like this approach right now for my own collection.