Stocking Up on Tony Oliva Autographs

At 88 years old, Tony Oliva still has a very nice signature.  When Fan HQ advertised their signing with him, I decided to go all out and get everything done that I wanted, which ended up being 14 items.

Rather than send a bat, I simply bought one from Fan HQ.  The only unsigned bat I had on hand had a very dark grain pattern right where his signature would have gone. This is an upgrade to one I had signed at TwinsFest many years ago that ended up getting done in black sharpie.

Tony O was the batting coach for the 1987 Twins World Series team, so I asked him to sign a ball from that series.

He also won a Gold Glove Award in 1966 as an outfielder for the Twins.

I really like the World Series Programs from the 1965 matchup between the Twins and the Dodgers.  The space-themed Dodger's home version is my favorite.  I had Mr. Oliva sign one of each.  I had Jim Kaat sign one of each of these as well.  I thought I had Camilo Pascual sign these, but apparently I did not.  That might be next.  It would be great to have about 10 players on one these, but it's too late to really get a great project done, and I should have started with Killebrew when I had the chance.  At this point, I think having individually-signed copies is better than a copy with only 3-4 players on it.

Here are the Kaat-signed copies:

My initial shipment to Fan HQ had all of these items included (except the bat).  Unfortunately, my vintage bobblehead did not survive the trip, and the head broke into several pieces.  I decided to give it another attempt, and sent in another one (I have nearly 10 of these).  It turned out really nicely, I think.

I may have another of these signed by Joe Mauer early next year, but don't currently have any plans for other players to sign a vintage bobblehead.

The only other vintage bobblehead I've had signed was by Bill Mazeroski, who signed a Pirate's version.

I also decided to get a bunch of cards signed, including a couple of his 1963 Topps rookie cards. The 1971 Topps is a nice upgrade to one he signed for me ttm back in 2004.  The rest are all cards that I did not yet have signed by him.

I am probably close to wrapping up my Tony Oliva collection.  A quick count resulted in 57 autographs.  I do need a couple more of his cards done though.  And, I'm sure there is a LOT of Twins memorabilia that would be awesome to have signed by him.  Yearbooks, programs, scorecards, etc.  If I come across any of these in really nice condition for a reasonable cost, I'll probably try to hang on to them until the next signing.  I also wouldn't mind upgrading the mini helmet I have signed by him.  My current one had the paint pen poop a little during his signature, leaving a puddle of silver ink.  I need to find better mini helmets that don't have the logo sticker already peeling off though.  I guess it sounds like I'm making a list for his next signing. :-)

Fan HQ has always done a great job with the items I send in.  I appreciate that bobbleheads, fall into their cheapest, "basic" category.  Some promoters have bobbleheads in a more expensive "deluxe" or "premium" category, if they accept them at all.

Another nice benefit of sending items to a Fan HQ signing is that they provide Beckett Witnessed authentication stickers on your item at no additional cost.  Most promoters charge at least $8, and usually $10 for that service.  You can, of course, request that no sticker be placed on your item.  I had all of these items authenticated and stickered.  I know some people really don't like stickers on the back of cards.  I prefer to have them, just in case the autograph is atypical for some reason that wouldn't allow it to be authenticated later.  I appreciate when they are placed thoughtfully and straight, which all of these were.  For example, don't put the sticker over the card number please.  And please don't have a small portion of the sticker hanging over the edge of the card.  It sounds like common sense, but bad things happen.

Did anyone else send in to this signing?