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Harvey Meiselman

2013 Baseball Address List Shines

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Harvey Meiselman remains a hobby all-star.

His stellar 2013 Baseball Address List weighs in at 213 spiral-bound pages.

I’m marveling anew at his “tough TTM” column. He tallies reported responses from online autograph sites, warning collectors about anyone with a 25 percent success rate or LOWER. This alone is a fascinating list. You’ll find many obscure names on it, not just superstars and Hall of Famers. Only the most optimistic gamblers may attempt some of these guys, knowing that anyone you send is at high risk.

Harvey includes a section for baseball personalities: owners, executives, broadcasters, reporters. Collectors of the Ford Frick and Spink Award winners from the Hall of Fame will love this assortment.

The fine lists of Negro Leaguers and AAGPBL (girls league) veterans is shrinking with time. Collectors who’ve never tried these history makers will miss out totally soon. The advancing ages from these two categories will slam shut this window of opportunity soon.

There’s a concluding rundown of all the fee signers out there. How much do they want for different items? Who should the check be made out to (or do they demand cash only)? Harvey’s details will make sure no one wastes time and postage not following the instructions of signer-sellers.

Realize that customers are buying a partnership with Harvey, not just a single directory. Make sure that he has your e-mail address, and he’ll keep your address list updated to the minute. On Monday, he sent updates on raised fees from Steve Yeager, Ron Reed and Tommy Davis. Just as important, he noted that collectors have reported that Tim Raines and Don Sutton haven’t been responding to paying collectors — those who are sending in the required fees with their autograph request.

Harvey’s list is a must-have for any serious autograph collector or student of baseball history. Reach him before the postal increase Jan. 27, and you’ll save two dollars. Tell him Baseball By The Letters sent you!

Coming Friday: My thoughts about the players who charge for autographs in 2013.

Baseball Address 2013 List Ships!

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Harvey Meiselman has done it again.

He wrote: “Just to let you know I shipped the initial batch of orders this past Saturday, January 5th, right on schedule. 427 packages out the door.”

Although 427 collectors have a headstart on you, it’s not too late. In fact, now’s the best time to order his Baseball Address List. Because of the Jan. 27 U.S. Postal Service rate hike, Harvey has to increase his price to $37 to cover the new expense. Order before Jan. 27 to get the old $35 postage-paid deal.

Harvey has all his bases covered. Remember December’s feature about collecting Ford Frick Award honorees? Harvey’s list is the place for all the addresses.

To order or learn more, go to http://sportsaddresslists.com/.

Harvey Meiselman’s Address Inspiration?

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To get more than the
facsimile sig, hobbyists
needed special
help to find Alston!

I’ve always loved those “making of” documentaries. Everyone can see the movie. Seeing behind the scenes is another story.

That’s why I wrote Harvey Meiselman about his upcoming Baseball Address List that ships in just a few weeks. He’s at www.sportsaddresslists.com. He’s a tireless tracker of elusive baseball names, the guys who never stay put. Was it a shy superstar or humble Hall of Famer that he was proudest of pinpointing? Nope. His choice surprised me! Harvey replied.

“The player was Wendell “Dell” Alston who broke into the majors with the Yankees in 1978. When “that other baseball address list guy” in Ames IA first put Alston on his list in 1979 or 1980, he listed an address of 3 Granada Crt in White Plains NY. And there it stayed from that time until about 1999 when he started to list it as “Old Address.”
 
During that time I tracked him using my resources through 4 different addresses in MD. I had been working with Jack Smalling for a few years doing updates to his baseball addresses and I tried to pass this address update to him but he didn’t think it was accurate and never used it. I told Jack I wanted to do my own baseball address list and he asked me to wait 2-3 years because he was “afraid” I would use all his information which I found to be 55-60% inaccurate. I had been researching my own MLB addresses, from scratch, since 1988, and told him I would not use any addresses he had on his list unless I researched it myself and confirmed it was correct.
 
So, in 2002, I came out with my Baseball Address List and it’s now my best seller of all the lists that I produce. Well, to make a long story short, Dell Alston has moved 3 more times through this year but because of the address I found in MD a lot of collectors had successes with him and dealers were contacting him to do private signings and bring him in for shows.
 
If you look at what’s included in Jack’s baseball list and then check the addresses in mine, you’ll see that I took his idea 5 steps further than he probably ever imagined or was able to do (I include signing fees, ex-MLB players working for teams as coaches and managers, team addresses and websites and much more) that give collectors a much better contact point to get players autographs.
One last note Tom. I get a lot of emails from collectors who say they use Intelius, ZabaSearch and other free people search engine and found a few addresses so why should they spend the money for my list. And I tell them that in the past 10 years I’ve found over 50,000 addresses with databases that cost me between $3,500 and $4,000 a year to use.”
 
I believe in Harvey and his addresses. Make it a happy hobby new year. Get his 2013 edition today!
 
Coming Wednesday: Letters to help a deserving Yankees fan?
 
 

Invest In Your 2013 Collection: Harvey Meiselman’s Taking Orders For New Address List!

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Beep beep. Blasted drive-thru line!

Yes, we’re all accustomed to instant service. But the best things are worth waiting for.

Harvey Meiselman’s yearly Baseball Address List is the best tool any collector, researcher or fan could have. Setting a good example for the U.S. Postal Service, Harvey is NOT increasing his prices.

His new list will cost $35, same as last year. Bigger, better, but same price.

Sorry, Santa. Harvey is not shipping until Jan. 5.

Can’t I order later? Yes, but…

Harvey will have a first-come, first-served policy. If you get in line now, you’ll be the first to get new addresses. I wish I could be Mister Optimism and say that autograph signing habits will never change.

History begs to differ. With new addresses, newly-discovered names may sign until they’re overwhelmed. They may choose to start charging, or they may stop signing completely.

Find out more at www.sportsaddresslists.com. No, I’m not a paid affiliate. I am a fan of Harvey.

Coming Monday: A winter league for collectors?

Collecting Baseball Autographs: An Update

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It’s time to try again.

More than 20 years ago, I wrote this book. Long out of print, I realize that the world has changed.

However, some things stay the same. I still believe this is a great hobby, one that a newcomer can enjoy. When I had a comment posted this week for any tips, I decided to see if I could condense my advice from a book down to one feature. Here goes:

HOW TO COLLECT AUTOGRAPHS THROUGH THE MAIL

1. Always enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope
2. NEVER risk sending something you’d hate to lose. Even if the signer signs it, you have to get the item returned safely from the postal service. Because some signers get hundreds of letters a year, they may return your valuable card to a lucky, unknown collector. You could get their poor-condition common.
3. Use the most current home addresses possible. Join http://www.sportscollectors.net/. Buy the “Baseball Address List,” compiled yearly from Harvey Meiselman.
4. Send a personal letter, not a form letter. Show you know about the person you’re asking for an autograph.
5. If you send different cards, send no more than three. Two would be better. Most people who get duplicates of anything think you’re selling the extra on eBay.
6. The oldest retirees may prefer a hand-written letter. Because these people spent more time playing sports than learning how to type, they may suspect that you’re letter wasn’t real.
7. Any time you get something extra in a response (added photos, a letter, etc.), write another note of thanks. These strangers are trying to make you happy. Let them know you are.
8. Be ready to help other collectors. If you have news, share it. Likewise, don’t be shy. There are many in the hobby who remember what it was like to be a newbie. They’ll respond to a thoughtful, sincere question.

These are the basics. Print out the list, or forward the tips to someone who’d like to try TTM autographs.

Are there other tips that need to be included, readers?

Coming Friday: Hank Foiles shares his baseball story.