Autographed programmes

[SJF73]

If you get programmes for Finals or semi finals autographed in person by one or more of the players who played in that particular match does this add a lot of value to the programmes? Or would the programme only be of value if it is autographed by practically the whole team for that match? Thanks

[Wullie]

Personally I think the whole team has to be included to make the programme worth anything. The trouble is a player passes away and that's that. I've seen the 1973 Cup final programme signed by all the team except poor Ian Porterfield and to be honest it just doesn't have the appeal to pay a huge amount for it .

[slightfold]

I collect autographed programmes and was dead keen on getting them when I were a lad. until I found wine, women and song. or was that sex and drugs and rock and roll! Me, I prefer them over the names in the middle where the teams were always written, or even over the player profiles that you get in international programmes. I like my front covers clean. In the days when players could actually write their names, you can, with a bit of research, usually make out who the names are. The problem today is it's all squiggles and ciphers and usually done in indelible pen on the covers which makes the programmes look like graffiti, well it does to me! I'm not sure how popular getting programmes signed is today though.
As to value being added, yes I think so, but by how much depends on who, where in the programme they are, and how many of them signed. It's not that common to get programmes signed by a full team and even rarer to get both teams. Hope this helps.

[Karb]

Wullie wrote:

Personally I think the whole team has to be included to make the programme worth anything. The trouble is a player passes away and that's that. I've seen the 1973 Cup final programme signed by all the team except poor Ian Porterfield and to be honest it just doesn't have the appeal to pay a huge amount for it .

Mind, it's getting near the point where it's as rare to find a 73 item that isn't autographed as one that is!

[slightfold]

That's a good point about the '73. It brings us neatly to another point which is when they are signed! That can make a difference. Sometimes it can even be many years later, especially for international players, and then at posh type dinners where the old boys get some sponds for doing so!!
In books certainly, with shop signings and the rest of it, it is often true that it is rarer to get an unsigned copy.

[Wullie]

That's a good point also. These players never earned the mega bucks that they do now. Most went on to do ordinary work for years after they retired from the game . So if they get a chance of a free meal and a few quid signing stuff that will end up on eBay , then you can't blame them.
So I look at it like this.
As slightfold said. Todays scribble frankly is toilet paper.
1980's 1970s are very common as old players want to make a few bob. Try and get the full team before they sadly pass on.
I would say a signed pre 1960s cup final signed by the complete team, then that would be a rarity and very collectable.

[thfcbasil]

I would never think about buying programmes signed by todays players as a child of two can write better. It is just a scribble and hard to see what is actually authentic. I do, however, have some 60's and 70's signed European programmes and they are proper signatures that you can decipher without any problems. I do not mind it on the cover as I have Anderlecht home and away signed by all the Spurs players and manager. I also have home to Benfica 61/2 and wolves away eufa final signed by six or seven. Obviously far better if you have everybody. Not sure how much more they would be worth? Sadly I expect they are worth more once the players have passed away. I have the Man Utd 63/4 home cup winners cup ticket signed on the back by White and Mackay. No idea if it would fetch much more than one not signed though.