A FIRST FOR THE COLLECTION · PRIVATE SIGNINGS
My first private signing: Kevin McHale on a custom design
There’s a new first in my autograph collection: I’ve used a private signing to have one of my custom designs signed by Boston Celtics legend Kevin McHale. Seeing his signature on a piece I created to celebrate his career makes this one especially rewarding.
Sometimes a private signing is the way to go
Meeting someone at a convention or receiving an autograph through the mail is a big part of this hobby, but those opportunities aren’t available with everyone. Some legends rarely attend conventions, and some people don’t sign through the mail. Depending on whose autograph you’re hoping to add, a private signing can sometimes be the only practical way to make it happen.
With a private signing, an organizer arranges time with the person and handles items submitted by collectors. You send in the piece you want signed, and the organizer takes it to the signing on your behalf. It opens a different door for collectors who may never have the chance to meet that person themselves.
For my first experience using one of my custom designs this way, I went through Vault Autographs for Kevin McHale. I wanted to bring together images from his Celtics career into a piece that celebrated the player and his accomplishments. The finished green-and-gold collage now has his signature right where I hoped it would be.
The photo above shows Kevin signing my actual design. Having that glimpse of the signing alongside the finished autograph adds another part of the story to the collection.
A career worthy of the Hall of Fame
Kevin McHale helped the Boston Celtics win NBA championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Alongside Larry Bird and Robert Parish, he formed the Celtics’ celebrated “Big Three,” a frontcourt that helped define an era of Boston basketball.
His accomplishments include seven NBA All-Star selections, two Sixth Man of the Year awards, and three All-Defensive First Team selections. He also earned All-NBA First Team honors in 1987 and was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
McHale’s game was about much more than his height and reach. His footwork, fakes, and touch around the basket made him a difficult matchup in the post, while his defense mattered at the other end. That combination of skill and team success is exactly the kind of career I enjoy celebrating in a custom design.
A huge shout-out to Paul Coston of Vault Autographs
I want to give a huge shout-out to Paul Coston of Vault Autographs for his great communication and professionalism throughout this process. This was my first private signing with one of my custom designs, and I really appreciated the way he handled the experience.
When you send away something you’ve put time and thought into creating, good communication means a lot. Paul helped make this a positive first experience, and I’m grateful for his part in getting this piece signed.
You can find Vault Autographs and follow their signing opportunities here:
A design of my own, signed by a Celtics legend. This is a memorable first for my collection, and a reminder that there’s more than one way to bring home an autograph you’ve been hoping for.