Q&A – What Are The First Pack-Inserted Cut Signatures?

Not alive to sign? No problem.

Upper Deck introduced collectors to the first cut signature cards in 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Baseball.

After obtaining authentic autographs (hopefully authentic) of deceased players, Upper Deck proceeded to “cut” the signatures off of those items. The signatures would then be inserted into cards much like a piece of jersey or bat.

The 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Baseball – Legendary Cuts set consists of only (9) cards. Each card is a one-of-one.

Checklist:

• Babe Ruth
• Cy Young
• Lefty Grove
• Mel Ott
• Roy Campanella
• Satchel Paige
• Ty Cobb
• Walter Johnson
• Jimmie Foxx

A few months after the release of 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Baseball, Upper Deck released 1999 UD SP Signature Edition Baseball. Another round of cut signatures were included in that set.

Harry Kalas Sportkings Cut Signature Mailday

Some collectors add new cards to their collection every single day.  For many, the bubble mailers just don’t seem to stop.  I’m very picky about what I collect.  The Steelers, Eagles, Penn State, and the Phillies are the main teams that I follow.  I probably follow the Phillies more than anything.  Years ago I was looking for someone from the Phillies to collect, but I didn’t want it to be too easy.  Players for the most part have tons of cards.  Broadcasters on the other hand do not.  So I settled on former Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas.  Good old HK only has a handful of cards, and none of them are simple to find.

One of the last things I do at the end of the day is an eBay search for “Harry Kalas”.  Most of the time what pops up doesn’t grab my interest.  Mainly because I either already have it or its junk.  My search last weekend turned up a card I’ve been looking for since 2012.  It was the Harry Kalas 2012 Sportkings Series E Top 50 Broadcasters Cut Signature #’ed 1/1.  The seller was from Massachusetts, and they accepted my first offer.  It was up for sale for less than a day.  The card has arrived, and has been added to my collection.  I believe this is the only cut signature of Harry Kalas to feature a picture of him.

This was the first Harry Kalas card I’ve added to my collection since last summer.  Its not something I get to do very often.  Other cards of his I’m looking for include:

• Mike Schmidt/Harry Kalas 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game – Announcing Greats Dual Auto #’ed/25
• Harry Kalas 2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic Signatures Black Stitch Auto #’ed 1/1
• Harry Kalas 2012 Sportkings Premium Back Redemption Sketch #’ed 1/1
• Harry Kalas 2015 Topps Five Star Cut Signature #’ed 1/1

Card of the Day: Rich Eisen 2008 Topps Mayo’s Cut Plug Auto

Card of the Day: Harry Caray 2012 Sportkings Series E Top 50 Broadcasters Cut Signature

Card of the Day: John F. Kennedy 2003 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts – Presidential Cut Signatures

Card of the Day: Martin Luther King Jr. 2010 Sportkings Series D Breaking Down The Barriers Cut Signature

Card of the Day: Walter Johnson 2001 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts – Cut Signature

Card of the Day: Babe Ruth 2014 Topps Dynasty Cut Signature 1/1

As good as these cards look, Topps better have something up their sleeve if they want collectors to spend $1,000 for five mini-boxes.  Low-numbered autographs and relics just won’t cut it.

Card of the Day: Cap Anson 2004 Topps Tribute Cut Signature Edition – Signature Cuts

Card of the Day: Babe Ruth 2014 ITG Past, Present, and Future Cut Signature