Neat article on TTM but.......

Dallas Cowboys · 12-23-2020, 09:24 AM

This is a cool article on a kid's success at TTM. Especially the letter Gregg Popovich wrote him. The thing that caught my eye was the picture of Tony Dorsett's autograph. I own several of his autographs including one I got in person at a signing when I was a kid. That does not look like his autograph. Can't help but wonder if a friend/agent/family member signed it.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...a-stars-bubble

mrb842 · 12-23-2020, 01:34 PM

there was an SI for kids about this in 1994 w/troy aikman on the cover and so I did it and it was one of the most fun things I did growing up. Letterhead from the 49ers and a jerry rice autopenned 5x7 black and white. An elway card. It was a lot of fun.

49erRCCollector · 12-23-2020, 03:53 PM

I’ve only tried TTM once (with success) to get an auto I knew I’d never get otherwise. I can see how it could be addicting.

hreed2 · 12-23-2020, 03:59 PM

I did A LOT of TTM for actors and actresses a few years ago. Got some incredible returns and had more than my fair share of autopens, clearly secretary returns and then a few where it was hotly debates weather or not the autos were authentic or from a ghost signer. That's the risk with TTM, in theory you really never know but it sure is fun regardless.

Dallas Cowboys · 12-23-2020, 04:20 PM

I never did TTM as a kid or adult. I know there are a lot of adult collectors that do it. I would think you would mostly get real autographs but it would suck to spend all that effort and get back an autopen or an associate signed it for them. I could see how it would be fun and addicting. I am Spurs fan so I would have loved to get a letter like that from Popovich.

whitmm · 12-23-2020, 04:54 PM

I did a couple TTM. Decent luck, end up with a couple Terrell Buckley autos, LeRoy Butler, and a Ronnie Lott. The Packer ones were, I believe, 1993 Game Day cards, so more of a pain to store than anything. Now I'm going to have to go dig them out of the box or binder they got stashed in.

49erRCCollector · 12-23-2020, 05:09 PM

I got Joe Starkey's autograph. He was the Niners play-by-play guy from 1989-2008 and the voice I most associate with the Niners. He's getting older and I really wanted something of his in my collection and he was sweet enough to sign and inscribe a "card blank" with his call from the 1998 "Catch 2" playoff game. PSA authenticated/slabbed it for me.

Totally deep Niners nerd stuff, but It's one of the favorite things I own. As much as I love cards, it really is all nostalgia for me.

hairysasquatch · 12-23-2020, 05:20 PM

My kid did a bunch when he was little to help with his handwriting.
A memorable one came from Chris Berman (on his 1990 Pro Set) card on which he (or someone) inscribed "[my son's name] YOU COULD GO ALL THE WAY!!"

49erRCCollector · 12-23-2020, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

My kid did a bunch when he was little to help with his handwriting.
A memorable one came from Chris Berman (on his 1990 Pro Set) card on which he (or someone) inscribed "[my son's name] YOU COULD GO ALL THE WAY!!"

That's pretty great.

hairysasquatch · 12-23-2020, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

That's pretty great.

Yeah that made his day (and mine)!!

PrimeTimeScott · 12-24-2020, 12:06 AM

I did a bunch of the lesser known Pro Football Hall of Famers back in 2003-2005. I did a good amount of research and sent to only guys that I knew signed regularly TTM. I sent small checks to a few who required it, but many did not. I did all 8x10 photos. It was a lot of fun. I wish I would have started just a couple of years before I did. There were a bunch more that I could have landed that had recently stopped signing at that time.

As for the original comment, that does not look anything like Tony Dorsett's autograph. I have several from in person events, from when he played in Denver for one year and from the Hall of Fame in 2004 when Elway was inducted. I had heard that he was not doing too well these days, so I'm guessing someone else is signing for him TTM.

mrb842 · 12-24-2020, 12:15 AM

there's a website that's easily findable that people use to get jack nickalaus, bob cousy, sandberg etc. Most old guys ask for a few bucks. Phil Jackson said on ig tho that he got bombed after last dance and his grandkids now sign his stuff. If you know what you're doing it's a cheap, fun way to build out your collection.

Grid · 12-24-2020, 08:34 AM

As for getting fakes through the mail (IE Tony Dorsett) it happens a lot

For years, Casey Urlacher would grab bags of mail from his Brother and "take care" any requests. I can tell you which one of Walter Payton's secretaries signed what, just by looking at it. They all were very good at signing his name. You would for sure get an autograph by writing to Sid Luckman before he passed. But, 99% of the time it was a family member that signed his name, and they are easy to spot.

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for

jscotta1989 · 12-24-2020, 09:17 AM

I tried this a few times as a kid. Actually got my original card back from Emmitt Smith signed. And got an autographed card from Kurt Warner that had a bible verse or something like that on the back.

Gigantor · 12-24-2020, 10:00 AM

I had a fun little TTM project some years ago around 1989 Score. Sent 160 requests and got 70-ish back. Here are some neat ones:

justwar · 12-24-2020, 01:18 PM

I sent off a bunch one summer as a youngster, always included a nice letter and a few cards, along with a SASE. Got a few back (no one major, I don’t even remember who just remember that I had partial success). Any big time player I sent to would usually generate a cool return package from the team. I recall sending one to Gretzky and getting a nice fan package from the Kings.

My best, however, was when I sent one off to Tim Hardaway (Miami Heat). This was all around 1989-90. I didn’t receive anything that I can remember right away. But, when I came home from college one weekend some 7 years later, there was a letter for me which included a short apology from Tim and the cards I had sent autographed. Really made me smile, still does! Merry Christmas!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TheFrenzy · 12-24-2020, 01:40 PM

I still enjoy creating custom cards of scientists, historians, tech gurus, etc. and sending them out TTM.

Almost every "famous" intellectual is more than happy to respond. I've got autos from Jane Goodall, Tim Berners-Lee, Charles Townes, and dozens more.

49erRCCollector · 12-24-2020, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

I still enjoy creating custom cards of scientists, historians, tech gurus, etc. and sending them out TTM.

Almost every "famous" intellectual is more than happy to respond. I've got autos from Jane Goodall, Tim Berners-Lee, Charles Townes, and dozens more.

That’s pretty cool, Jane Goodall.

TheFrenzy · 12-24-2020, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 49erRCCollector

That’s pretty cool, Jane Goodall.

I've posted a few pics before, but it's been a while.

Jane Goodall - Primatologist

Daniel Walker Howe - Historian

James Watson - Discovered DNA

Cerf, Khan, Kleinrock, Roberts - Four of the men most responsible for the invention of the internet

lambeauleap87 · 12-25-2020, 07:31 PM

Dorsett has been a hot topic in the TTM space of late. Lots of instances where he or his wife cashed the checks (or took the cash) on a lot of pieces of mail, but they never sent the items back. Cards seemed to be coming back signed, but anything larger would go MIA.

RustyDawg37 · 12-26-2020, 07:34 AM

I only did TTM once. Michael Freakin Jordan.

Did the cards come back?

Yes.

Autographed?

Yes.

Autographed by Michael?

Probably not, but sure looks like it.

Also, i want to say it was over a year befroe they were returned and I had forgot about them by then.

Edit: I have a friend who tries to stick with local guys (players that live here not necessarily played here). He buys those celebrity address books every few years and sends stuff to guys in the Cleveland area.

shrevecity · 12-26-2020, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

I still enjoy creating custom cards of scientists, historians, tech gurus, etc. and sending them out TTM.

Almost every "famous" intellectual is more than happy to respond. I've got autos from Jane Goodall, Tim Berners-Lee, Charles Townes, and dozens more.

I started a project a few years back but never really got it off the ground as many of the addresses were hard to pin down, but I was trying to get TTMs from all the remaining WW2 Aces that I could. I did manage to get 2 or 3 but then divorce happened so that project crashed and burned.

12-23-2020, 09:24 AM	#1
Dallas Cowboys Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Amarillo, Texas Posts: 1,088 joyboy23 legolas27	Neat article on TTM but....... This is a cool article on a kid's success at TTM. Especially the letter Gregg Popovich wrote him. The thing that caught my eye was the picture of Tony Dorsett's autograph. I own several of his autographs including one I got in person at a signing when I was a kid. That does not look like his autograph. Can't help but wonder if a friend/agent/family member signed it. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...a-stars-bubble

12-23-2020, 03:53 PM	#3
49erRCCollector Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,788	I’ve only tried TTM once (with success) to get an auto I knew I’d never get otherwise. I can see how it could be addicting. __________________ Will MASSIVELY overpay for: 2002 Fleer Authentix #180, 181 Derek Smith & Zack Bronson AND 2007 Upper Deck Target Exclusive Rookies Autographs #261 Joe Staley #'d to /5

12-23-2020, 05:09 PM	#7
49erRCCollector Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,788	I got Joe Starkey's autograph. He was the Niners play-by-play guy from 1989-2008 and the voice I most associate with the Niners. He's getting older and I really wanted something of his in my collection and he was sweet enough to sign and inscribe a "card blank" with his call from the 1998 "Catch 2" playoff game. PSA authenticated/slabbed it for me. Totally deep Niners nerd stuff, but It's one of the favorite things I own. As much as I love cards, it really is all nostalgia for me. __________________ Will MASSIVELY overpay for: 2002 Fleer Authentix #180, 181 Derek Smith & Zack Bronson AND 2007 Upper Deck Target Exclusive Rookies Autographs #261 Joe Staley #'d to /5

12-23-2020, 05:20 PM	#8
hairysasquatch Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the Woods, Central NY Posts: 36,511	My kid did a bunch when he was little to help with his handwriting. A memorable one came from Chris Berman (on his 1990 Pro Set) card on which he (or someone) inscribed "[my son's name] YOU COULD GO ALL THE WAY!!" __________________ I am going signature-free

12-24-2020, 12:06 AM	#11
PrimeTimeScott Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,068	I did a bunch of the lesser known Pro Football Hall of Famers back in 2003-2005. I did a good amount of research and sent to only guys that I knew signed regularly TTM. I sent small checks to a few who required it, but many did not. I did all 8x10 photos. It was a lot of fun. I wish I would have started just a couple of years before I did. There were a bunch more that I could have landed that had recently stopped signing at that time. As for the original comment, that does not look anything like Tony Dorsett's autograph. I have several from in person events, from when he played in Denver for one year and from the Hall of Fame in 2004 when Elway was inducted. I had heard that he was not doing too well these days, so I'm guessing someone else is signing for him TTM. __________________ Collecting Eddie Royal cards http://www.hobbydisplay.com/PrimeTimeScott/collection/

12-23-2020, 01:34 PM	#2
mrb842 Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: midwest Posts: 1,692	there was an SI for kids about this in 1994 w/troy aikman on the cover and so I did it and it was one of the most fun things I did growing up. Letterhead from the 49ers and a jerry rice autopenned 5x7 black and white. An elway card. It was a lot of fun.

12-23-2020, 03:59 PM	#4
hreed2 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,580	I did A LOT of TTM for actors and actresses a few years ago. Got some incredible returns and had more than my fair share of autopens, clearly secretary returns and then a few where it was hotly debates weather or not the autos were authentic or from a ghost signer. That's the risk with TTM, in theory you really never know but it sure is fun regardless.

12-23-2020, 04:20 PM	#5
Dallas Cowboys Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Amarillo, Texas Posts: 1,088 joyboy23 legolas27	I never did TTM as a kid or adult. I know there are a lot of adult collectors that do it. I would think you would mostly get real autographs but it would suck to spend all that effort and get back an autopen or an associate signed it for them. I could see how it would be fun and addicting. I am Spurs fan so I would have loved to get a letter like that from Popovich.

12-23-2020, 04:54 PM	#6
whitmm Banned Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Wisc Posts: 11,373	I did a couple TTM. Decent luck, end up with a couple Terrell Buckley autos, LeRoy Butler, and a Ronnie Lott. The Packer ones were, I believe, 1993 Game Day cards, so more of a pain to store than anything. Now I'm going to have to go dig them out of the box or binder they got stashed in.

12-24-2020, 12:15 AM	#12
mrb842 Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: midwest Posts: 1,692	there's a website that's easily findable that people use to get jack nickalaus, bob cousy, sandberg etc. Most old guys ask for a few bucks. Phil Jackson said on ig tho that he got bombed after last dance and his grandkids now sign his stuff. If you know what you're doing it's a cheap, fun way to build out your collection.

12-24-2020, 08:34 AM	#13
Grid Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 13,229 Gridiron-Gladiators	As for getting fakes through the mail (IE Tony Dorsett) it happens a lot For years, Casey Urlacher would grab bags of mail from his Brother and "take care" any requests. I can tell you which one of Walter Payton's secretaries signed what, just by looking at it. They all were very good at signing his name. You would for sure get an autograph by writing to Sid Luckman before he passed. But, 99% of the time it was a family member that signed his name, and they are easy to spot. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for

12-24-2020, 09:17 AM	#14
jscotta1989 Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Englewood, TN Posts: 475 jscotta19891	I tried this a few times as a kid. Actually got my original card back from Emmitt Smith signed. And got an autographed card from Kurt Warner that had a bible verse or something like that on the back. __________________ Proud fan and collector of the Dallas Cowboys! Check out my Flickr! https://www.flickr.com/photos/140431995@N02/albums

12-24-2020, 10:00 AM	#15
Gigantor Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3,428 Gigantor	I had a fun little TTM project some years ago around 1989 Score. Sent 160 requests and got 70-ish back. Here are some neat ones: __________________ PC - Jake Long - Blue Detroit Lions - Santa Claus Cards

12-24-2020, 01:18 PM	#16
justwar Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Detroit Posts: 62 justwar0	I sent off a bunch one summer as a youngster, always included a nice letter and a few cards, along with a SASE. Got a few back (no one major, I don’t even remember who just remember that I had partial success). Any big time player I sent to would usually generate a cool return package from the team. I recall sending one to Gretzky and getting a nice fan package from the Kings. My best, however, was when I sent one off to Tim Hardaway (Miami Heat). This was all around 1989-90. I didn’t receive anything that I can remember right away. But, when I came home from college one weekend some 7 years later, there was a letter for me which included a short apology from Tim and the cards I had sent autographed. Really made me smile, still does! Merry Christmas!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-24-2020, 01:40 PM	#17
TheFrenzy Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Texan in AZ Posts: 44,115	I still enjoy creating custom cards of scientists, historians, tech gurus, etc. and sending them out TTM. Almost every "famous" intellectual is more than happy to respond. I've got autos from Jane Goodall, Tim Berners-Lee, Charles Townes, and dozens more.

12-25-2020, 07:31 PM	#20
lambeauleap87 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 24,744 LL87	Dorsett has been a hot topic in the TTM space of late. Lots of instances where he or his wife cashed the checks (or took the cash) on a lot of pieces of mail, but they never sent the items back. Cards seemed to be coming back signed, but anything larger would go MIA. __________________ I collect Packers, former Ohio State Buckeyes, Blue Jackets, and Cleveland Indians/Guardians.

12-26-2020, 07:34 AM	#21
RustyDawg37 Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,049 rusty371	I only did TTM once. Michael Freakin Jordan. Did the cards come back? Yes. Autographed? Yes. Autographed by Michael? Probably not, but sure looks like it. Also, i want to say it was over a year befroe they were returned and I had forgot about them by then. Edit: I have a friend who tries to stick with local guys (players that live here not necessarily played here). He buys those celebrity address books every few years and sends stuff to guys in the Cleveland area. __________________ Football Set Needs Below: Turkey Red, Magic, Mayo, Gridiron Kings, Refractors, Topps Gold https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i7C-OoiAGOh9ZYdJsyC4uq7OfRuZNlOD3kf5d1MDqJg/edit?usp=sharing IG: rustyshobbies Last edited by RustyDawg37; 12-26-2020 at 07:39 AM.