[Groop] sketch on ebay

[wayne smith]

I just wanted to add to the conversation about the sketches being sold on ebay.
I used to own a card shop.  I carried all sports and even some non-sports cards.
I even had a couple boxes of GROO cards!  Anyway, several other card shop 
owners used to pay athletes for signing sessions.  The owners would pay the
players (very well I might add) for an hour or two, and the players would sign
non-stop until the time was up.  Then the card shop guys would sell the items
for a huge markup.  At one session (which I didn't pay for, but was allowed to
attend) I spoke to a couple of players about the selling of their signiture on items.
One very nice guy, a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers told me that he
donated some of the money to charity.  He also said he loved to freely sign
for fans, but that  unauthorized dealers selling his autograph was upsetting.  He went on to say
that many players were becoming reluctant to sign for fear it would be sold for
profit.  The greedy ones were mad because they were missing out on income
(mostly unreported income) while the others felt "prostituted" by greedy fans.
       My own take on the sketches is the same as the autographs.  To me it
is a personal favor for an artist (athlete or otherwise) to sign or sketch for
someone.  I have tried to only collect autographed items that I have received
myself.  While I would absolutely love a sketch from Stan, Sergio, or many
others, I would definitely never sell it.  The fact that they are willing to delight
us with a sample of their work is just another reason we hold them in such
high regard.  I hope some time in the next year to attend a convention to meet
and possibly receive a small skecth from Sergio.  I just hope these profiteers
don't ruin a good thing for the rest of us.


   Just about the time I convince myself I can wait on a GROO hat, I get to 
actually see one! (thanks for the pictures, my first look at them)  


 Wayne S




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