Big news from Cryptozoic Entertainment on autograph cards:

Cryptozoic Autograph Revision Policy

See the huge list of announced autograph signers for upcoming sets.

Interesting...doesn't appear as if Kaley Cuoco is signing for BBT Season 5.

No update on Revenge signers either is a bad sign that they really don't have any of the real main characters.

I like the amendment to the new policy there is a contract to obtain the cards so it isn't like other companies that produce "mock-ups" of cards that don't exist or that they even have contracts for. As stated on few occassions something happens beyond anyone's control but I agree that it helps to make more informed and timely decisions for both collectors and dealers. Nice job by Cryptozoic.

I was amazed at how many people used this announcement on Facebook to complain about a set not having the 'right' signers.

Cryptozoic can't win. They change an unpopular policy with a better one and they get hit with gripes.

I for one am glad to have this new information available when ordering deadlines come.

Ed

That's a breath of fresh air to me

quote:

Originally posted by Batman:
I like the amendment to the new policy there is a contract to obtain the cards so it isn't like other companies that produce "mock-ups" of cards that don't exist or that they even have contracts for. As stated on few occassions something happens beyond anyone's control but I agree that it helps to make more informed and timely decisions for both collectors and dealers. Nice job by Cryptozoic.

I ACTUALLY agree with Batman

I didn't see any problem with how they had been doing, waiting until the autos were in-hand to make an announcement.

As someone on a very limited budget, this is a nice change for me because I have to decide very carefully where my dollars go. If I see a set with an autograph list that has very few cards I want, I will be able to pass it over for one with a better list (better odds for a good pull). I like base sets, but I can pick them up for $2 later, I don't need a box for that. My one complaint is that I want to see the preliminary list of signers for The Hobbit

I think this is great and thanks to them for doing it. Like Jason was saying I have a very limited budget as well and when I still don't know what cards are going to be in a set two weeks before it hits I am less likely to pick up more then a few packs.

As far as not having the "right" signer I can see some peoples point but if the first set of a series like SOA had everyone in it what would be the point of buying the next series. Like the BBT cards. They are nice but having the same 12 signers in different shirts is not really that big a deal for me.

It's a great initiative from Cryptozoic.

Despite the facts that we don't have a full list of signers per set I don't worry too much since I know it take about 6-7 months to get a final list of signers. Usually it goes to the process to get the actors to sign contract, make the cards to the licensor for approval, print the cards, send the cards to the actor and received them back hopefully without been damage.

Its always a plus when a card manufacturer provides extra assurance to collectors, so Crypto is acknowledging that the sooner a firm autograph list (if still not absolutely guaranteed) is disclosed the better.

I for one didn't think that Crypto did very much wrong in that regard, or perhaps I should say that they weren't any worse than anyone else. If a set release was delayed its understandable that the final autograph list is going to be late too.

And with the exception of Lincoln not having signed for Walking Dead Season 1, they do get autographs from most main actors in their products. The business of misleading ads and mock up signatures that never even appear was not this company.

Unfortunately many times its collectors who jump the gun when they hear a set is in production, only to be disappointed when their ideal signers are not obtained. That isn't going to change.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Raven,

This is a good move as it allows buyers to get their preorders in earlier rather than having to wait till the set is almost released to know what is going to be in it.

As Cryptozoic state, it's rare for contracted signers not to end up signing. So if they are on that list, the chances of them being in the final product is high.

First time I've seen this thread, read the blog, and saw the posts on FB. Sounds good. I wonder if the gripes have been deleted, because I don't see that many. Either way, who they get to autograph should be the least of concerns for both the collector on CZE, IMO. Communication and allocation, IMO, are much bigger issues.

BTW, I'm wondering if the market is now being flooded with autograph cards like sketch cards. I've seen some go pretty darn low recently.

quote:

Originally posted by Tattoox:
BTW, I'm wondering if the market is now being flooded with autograph cards like sketch cards. I've seen some go pretty darn low recently.

Interesting you should say that, because I have noticed it too. There are certain recent products where the "prime" autographs appear to be quite reasonable, even shortly after release, which is normally the feeding frenzy time.

I for one welcome it as a pleasant surprise, but then I'm an autograph collector who likes affordable cards. What good is great autograph cards that I can't touch?

I think increased competition does play a part in it, every mainstream entertainment set must have autographs now. It may also be that buyers are waiting longer to purchase and not falling for that first expensive rush. It may be that manufacturers are choosing titles that are too exclusive for too many collectors, so they simply don't care to buy. Or it could be that dealers are willing to discount more because their capital is needed for new orders. Or it could be that collectors can't afford to focus on more than a couple of titles at a time, so some good ones are just getting left out and wind up in the bargain bin.

Some sets seem to have just bombed, or at least their subjects did and that hurt the cards.

Anyway, it's not an unwelcome thing to see some reasonable prices on good autograph cards for a change.