Cards with faded autographs?

[wubh]

I bought a small collection that included a Jimmy Butler Select RC with a nearly very faded autograph. My purchase price only factored in the other cards so this was essentially a freebie in my eyes.

I have a PC autos with some degree of fading (like 90s Autographics) but nothing this extreme. Minus a White Chocolate Revolution auto that I recently pulled where the sticker was missing.

It's still a low serial #ed rookie of a likely future HOF from a desirable set but the card's major draw was the autograph that basically doesn't exist anymore.

So I'm wondering - do you consider a card like this still somewhat collectable? Trash? Something else?

[kingofsnake]

"Trash" sounds harsh, but yes - I consider it trash.

[Inferno]

Don’t display your autos. That’s a fight the sun will win every time.

[Asian62150]

I would consider it kinda like you mentioned, a freebie.

If it's of a player I really liked, I don't mind having it around.

Even if it's something rare and desirable, it kinda sticks out as an eye sore. For example, I've seen a lot of faded Wilt Chamberlain Epic Signatures from 1999 (and other Epic Signatures, for that matter). Some of them come up so rarely, but if the autos faded, I have little to no interest.

On the flip side, I would pay a premium for autos from 20+ years ago that are still super bold.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Don’t display your autos. That’s a fight the sun will win every time.

True,

But the fading of an auto generally has a lot more to do with the pen used, as opposed to exposure to sun-light, since most people store their autos in binders or low-light man-caves.

Of got several Topps Heritage autos and UD Goudey autos from the 2000's that have never been outside of a binder, and yet are fading.

So gotta be the pen....

[Makakilo Cards]

This is an extreme example but where is the line when it's no longer acceptable for a modern card? Personally, if it's just faded in the big loop on someone's "g" or something I don't really care. Wouldn't pay as much but I'd be happy with an 8 grade or so.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by mfw13

True,

But the fading of an auto generally has a lot more to do with the pen used, as opposed to exposure to sun-light, since most people store their autos in binders or low-light man-caves.

Of got several Topps Heritage autos and UD Goudey autos from the 2000's that have never been outside of a binder, and yet are fading.

So gotta be the pen....

Really? Hard to believe. I have several Heritage autos from the 2000s that have perfect autos. Maybe it's a result of a chemical reaction from contact with the binder plastic sleeve?

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Really? Hard to believe. I have several Heritage autos from the 2000s that have perfect autos. Maybe it's a result of a chemical reaction from contact with the binder plastic sleeve?

Who knows.....95% of my autos are fine.....but I do have 3-4 that have faded somewhat.....and they're in the same binder pages as those that are still nice and vivid (since I display all the autos from the same set together).

All the ones that have faded are either red ink or black ink.....never had any problems with anything in blue ink.....one of the reasons why I now avoid red ink Heritage autos.

[rainmaker]

The card has no value so if you enjoy it as a freebie and didn't pay for it that sounds like a win.

[BGT Masters]

Cards with badly faded autographs still sell, so I wouldn't say it has no value. One exactly like yours went for $47.

[wubh]

Originally Posted by BGT Masters

Cards with badly faded autographs still sell, so I wouldn't say it has no value. One exactly like yours went for $47.

Thanks! I didn't even bother to think about past auctions. Interesting that at least 2 of the 399 copies have faded exactly the same while others look pack fresh.

I'm happy to hold onto this card (at least for a while) since the only other Jimmy rookie that I have is his base Hoops and even with the faded auto, this one looks cooler to me.

And once the auto fully fades, maybe I'll try to pretend Jimmy was only included in the non-auto base set like Dame.

[bkcardcollector]

wipe it and get Jimmy to sign it again..?

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by mfw13

Who knows.....95% of my autos are fine.....but I do have 3-4 that have faded somewhat.....and they're in the same binder pages as those that are still nice and vivid (since I display all the autos from the same set together).

All the ones that have faded are either red ink or black ink.....never had any problems with anything in blue ink.....one of the reasons why I now avoid red ink Heritage autos.

I haven't noticed any of my red ink Heritage cards with fading. I have seen black ink autograph cards from the 90s and 2000s with natural fading, though. I sold them off.