COLLECTING AUTOGRAPHS IN THE YO-YO WORLD

Autograph collecting is a natural extension of collecting memorabilia especially when the memorabilia has an association with certain individuals.  

Why do people collect autographs?  

Well, largely because it is fun memory of a meeting of an individual at a particular point in time or event.   Additionally collecting autographs on yo-yo memorabilia can increase their value.   Most notable example would be the Nixon Autographed Yo-Yo which is the highest price ever paid for a yo-yo at $16, 029.00.   I can assure you that the price was so high not because of the yo-yo having any intrinsic value, it was the circumstance of which President Nixon autographed the yo-yo.   Most autographed yo-yos and other pieces of yo-yo memorabilia will not have any immediate appreciable increase in value but there are exceptions. For most though, the collection of an autograph on a yo-yo is just a fun side of collecting and getting to know people. 

What kind of items does a person look for in getting autographed?

Well obviously, yo-yos would be the most typical but there are other items that are commonly autographed, such as books, contest flyers, trading cards, videos and contest posters.   Contest posters are especially popular at large events such Nationals or Worlds in that you can generally pick up a number of top players and personalities in the Yo-Yo World all on one interesting piece and this is certainly a nice way to display all the signatures.

Whose autographs do people look for?

Well, it could be any personality in the Yo-Yo World. Demonstrators are asked for their autographs most often. Others include world record holders, past champions, authors of books and publications on yo-yos, company owners, yo-yo designers and the list goes on. 

Where do you meet these people?

The easiest way to find people is at the large events such as World Championships, National Championships, etc.   Even local events often times will have celebrity judges who are demonstrators or World record holders.   If you cannot make it to events you can still request signatures through the mail.   If you are going to request signatures in the mail, make sure you enclose a self addressed stamped envelope. I would suggest if you are going to send some valuable piece of memorabilia that you request a signature, that you contact the individual first, so they know to expect it, and to make sure that they would be willing to give you a signature on the item.  Be clear in writing where you would like the item signed and it’s not a bad idea to enclose the pen or marker to be used.  You want to make the signing process as easy as possible for the signer.  Again, make sure you enclose proper return packaging, mailing label and postage for the return of the item to you. 

Where should a yo-yo be signed?

There is no standard place for an autograph to be placed on a yo-yo.   My favorite position is having the person sign along the front of the rim on the front face so as you display the yo-yo the signature is easily seen.    Use a permanent marker that is a contrasting color to the paint on the yo-yo.  If there is not a large logo on the face of the yo-yo, the signature can go directly across the face.

Although most people in the Yo-Yo Community are friendly, and happy to sign autographs, you may find some individuals that are reluctant to sign.   I must impress upon you not to force the issue.  Be gracious whether they accept or decline your request.    There are definitely times when you should not ask an individual for an autograph.  For instance, judges that are actively judging should not be distracted and competitors immediately before their competition are usually concentrating on their routine and find this distracting. Finally, it is generally considered impolite to ask individuals for souvenirs such as yo-yos, etc., unless they are giving them away as a part of a promotion.  

Below is a list of a variety of personalities in the Yo-Yo World that you might be interested in having their signature on a yo-yo or other piece of memorabilia.  Some individuals are closely associated with certain yo-yos, etc., and I have tried to list some of the items that would be nice to have their signature on to help the new collector.  If you see somebody that you think should be listed email me and tell me why and what item it would be cool to have there autograph on and we may add his or her name to the list. LuckyJ@msn.com   

Good luck with your hunt!   

                 "Logo yo-yos" are personalized yo-yos of that individual

Alan Amaral                   -President Yomega (any Yomega yo-yo, #1975 is the ultimate)

Alan Batangan             -1999 National Champion

Jennifer Baybrook       -1997 National and 1998 World Champion (Logo yo-yos, 3-D trading cards) 

Dale Bell                -President YoyoJam (any YoyoJam yo-yo)

Steve Brown          - demonstrator, father of "off hand play", (Logo yo-yo)

Mike Caffrey         - demonstrator, inventor of the Yomega auto-return mechanism

Marie Cariliao      -president of Yobonic (any Yobonic yo-yo)

Cliff Coleman        - demonstrator

Chris Cook             - author

Bud Countryman    - President of Hummingbird and BC (any Hummingbird or BC yo-yo)

Ryan Carver          -1993 National Champion (#1079)

Bill Crest                - President American Spinners (#135)

Stewart Crump        - author, AYYA editor (book #1929, #1922)

Bill DeBoisblanc     - multiple World Champion & National Champion

Arne Dixon             -President SuperYo (any SuperYo)

Don Duncan, Jr.      - Past president Duncan Toys, Past President Playmaxx

Alex Garcia             - 1998 National Champion (Trading cards #405)

Al Gallo                    -President of National (any National yo-yo ultimate is #1151)

Jon Gates               -Demonstrator (Logo Yo-Yo)

Greg Hart                -Toy Designer (#1605.1)

John Higby             -demonstrator (logo yo-yos)

Tom Kuhn               - Yo-yo manufacturer (any Tom Kuhn yo-yo)

Harvey Lowe           - 1932 World Champion

Bud Lutz                  - former demonstrator

George Malko          - author (book #1930)

Bob Malowney        - Nationals director (any Bird in Hand yo-yo #144)

Bunny Martin           -demonstrator (logo yo-yo #1601)

Dennis McBride       - demonstrator (Logo yo-yo #730)

Mark McBride          -author, demonstrator

“Fast Eddy” McDonald –world record holder (logo yo-yo)

Lucky Meisenheimer -author

Kate Miller                -Demonstrator (logo yo-yo)

Dale Myrberg           - 1996 World Champion (logo yo-yo #731)

Takumi Nagase       -1999 World Champion

Dale Oliver               - demonstrator, World Champion, company owner(#1141)

Ross Olney               -demonstrator ( book #1928.1)

Brett Outchcunis       -demonstrator 

Rick Osborne            - demonstrator

Tom Parks                 - demonstrator

Doctor Popular         -demonstrator (Logo Yo-Yo)

Tom Radovan          - Modern Royal yo-yos

Bob Rule                   - demonstrator Trick book #1934, Logo yo-yos

Jack Russell             -President of Russell (any Russell yo-yo)

Larry “Sayco” Sayegh  - President Sayco (#1218)  

Dave Schulte                -demonstrator, trade cards

Linda  Sengpiel     - demonstrator, Trick book #1928, set #1736, yo-yo #745, trading card, YoyoJam Logo yo-yo

Chuck Short               - demonstrator (Logo Yo-Yo)

Tommy Smothers        -entertainer (any Smothers Brothers Logo yo-yo)

John Stangle               - President AYYA, demonstrator (Yotopia Yo-Yo)

Dick Stor                       - demonstrator

Jason Tracey               - demonstrator 

Kitaqmura Tomoya     -2000 world champion

Hans Van Dan Elzen - demonstrator (Logo Yo-Yo)

Dan Volk                    - demonstrator

Don Watson                - inventor, author

Rick Wyatt                  -world record holder, (Logo Yo-Yo)

  "Rocco" Ysaguire     -1993 world champion

Helane Zeiger             -author (#1932)