Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ TTM Autograph Collecting 101

[dmont52]

These are great tips, I was considering getting in to this as a hobby... I figured it would make my card collection even better, and more fun as well. I was wondering if anyone had ever had a toploader signed... well, now I know. lol.

I have to ask though, what does TTM stand for? I can guess "through mail" but I can't figure out what the first T is.

[psupuz31]

TTM= Through The Mail. You just forgot the "the".

[dmont52]

DOH... it's so obvious now.

Anyways, I'm gonna start out this week. Thanks again to everyone for posting these tips.

[gregorium]

DOH... it's so obvious now. 

Anyways, I'm gonna start out this week.  Thanks again to everyone for posting these tips.

Good luck to you! You'll be hooked in no time!

[JasonS]

Here is a bit from Minnesota Twins pitcher Pat Neshek's website.

Monday, July 16
7/16/07
When I returned home the other day I found the mail pile to be the most I have seen in quite some time. I got through all the letters and they are heading back if you sent return postage. Most of the letters were auto request with photos, cards, indexes and other things. If you ever need anything signed, send it over with a SASE. Speaking of the letters I thought this would be a good time to go over some of the basics. The easiest is if you want something back you must include a SASE otherwise known as a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. If this is missing I'm sorry but you probably aren't going to get anything back. I have a box of stuff that is basically all no SASE items...baseballs, cards, oddball things. I hate not being able to return people's items but I've had over 100 of these and can't sit in PO lines and buy stamps for people I don't know. Two, Don't include money for postage, got a couple that threw in $5 and told me to ship a package back...go to the post office, package up a return envelope and buy stamps, it's easy. Three, don't ask me to get items signed by my teammates...yes I get a couple of these every day. Four, try to keep the letters as short as you can be. If you are reading this right now and are going to send me a letter for something to sign something with just "please sign my card, thanks" is a dream to read. As always you can send me anything you need to get signed and you will most likely get it back quick if you follow the above. I can knock out about 200 letters a day if they are just auto request. It's the problem letters that really slow me down.

[gregorium]

Nice to see some honesty from him. Thanks for sharing Jason!

[mzhang13]

Hey, just wondering, how should you send one out, should it be in a top loader with a regular envelope or what? Can the SASE be smaller than the envelops, should the card be in a penny sleeve? Can anyone help answer these questions please?

[JasonS]

This is how I send them out.

I use a #10 size envelope for the mailing.

I only send cards I am willing to never see again. (I wouldn't send Chris Chelios a rookie card to sign - but I would send an '06 Fleer base)

I no longer use top loaders or penny sleeves since I could see the players not wanting to bother getting cards in and out of them. Plus they have caused ink to get smeared on some cards.

I write a short, but sincere, letter asking VERY NICELY if they would please sign my card.

I enclose a smaller sized self address stamped envelope that fits neatly into the #10 envelope.

I put the card in the letter and fold it so the card is encased. This way when the player opens it he will see the card and not have to look in the now torn envelope to find it to sign.

I always say thank you and wish them luck.

[mzhang13]

Thanks

[zedsls]

How do you send your donations/fees: cash, MO, or check with the name field blank? Thanks.

[xanderthegreat35]

thx it rly helped.

[Knudson]

Question: When using IRCs, how many should be included if sending a large envelope and requesting a reply from the United States to the UK? I'm mailing out a 10 x 12 cardboard envelope.

* Edit: Two for safety, according to some.
* EDIT: The rate is one IRC per ounce of the return package.

[JasonS]

Just a little hint here; don't try and reuse stamps that have been on an old envelope. I just had someone send me a SASE and they used stamps that they peeled off an old letter and stuck them on the return envelope. They were all rumpled and even had the cancelation marks on them. The post office wont accept those.