Autograph University’s Top 10 Autographs of 2011

The holidays are here and my Sharpie may very well stay capped for the remainder of 2011. Over the past year I’ve become a much more efficient grapher, minimizing the time spent chasing rumors, weak tips and visiting baseball teams (my historic luck with the latter has hovered around the Mendoza Line). But while I may have logged fewer hours in the field, I’m very pleased with how Autograph University and my collection have grown in the last 12 months.

Below you’ll find the ten autographs I was most excited to add to my collection in 2011.

10. Marta
Arguably the most talented woman to ever kick a soccer ball, Marta is up for her SIXTH consecutive world player of the year award (also known as the FIFA Ballon d’or). I graphed Marta this summer after a match between her Western New York Flash and the Boston Breakers. One of only a few female athletes in my collection but one of my favorite autographs. GOOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!

Marta autographed 8x10

Marta autographed 8x10

9. Ray LaMontagne (concert program)
I met the mercurial musician backstage at the 2011 Life is good Festival where I got an autograph and the chance to ask his perspective on fame. Read my previous post about graphing Ray.

Ray LaMontagne autographed program

Ray LaMontagne autographed program

8. Mark Wahlberg (8×10)
After a quiet 2010 it seemed there was always a movie being filmed in Boston this year.  I graphed Mark on the set of Ted, a dark comedy directed by Seth MacFarlane (whom I also graphed). The film also starred Mila Kunis who “wasn’t signing autographs” the day I tracked her down. Read my previous post about graphing Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane on the set of Ted.

Mark Wahlberg autographed 8x10

Mark Wahlberg autographed 8x10

7. Anthony Bourdain (8×10)
As a fan of Tony’s memoirs (I highly recommend Kitchen Confidential) and his television series No Reservations, it was a thrill to graph him before an appearance at Boston Symphony Hall. I just wish he didn’t use an elderly black Sharpie.

Anthony Bourdain autographed 8x10

Anthony Bourdain autographed 8x10



6. Clint Dempsey (8×10)
Over the past few years my interest in soccer was evolved from passing to passionate. Dempsey is a talented, fiery player whom you’d love to have on your team and hate if he was wearing an opposing kit—sort of soccer’s version of Kevin Garnett. I graphed Clint while the U.S. team was in town to take on Spain in a friendly this summer. Check out his tiny graph in the picture below.

Clint Dempsey autographed 8x10

Clint Dempsey autographed 8x10

5. Andres Iniesta (11×14)
Can you tell what I was doing this summer instead of chasing baseball teams? Another soccer graph and another Ballon d’or finalist—this time on the men’s side. In retrospect I shouldn’t have added signatures to what was an excellent single-signed piece. Read my previous post about graphing the Spain National Football Team.

Xabi Alonso, Vicente del Bosque, Andres Iniesta and Fernando Hierro autographed 11x14

Xabi Alonso, Vicente del Bosque, Andres Iniesta and Fernando Hierro autographed 11x14

4. Pedro Martinez (baseball)
I didn’t expect to see Pedro back in Boston so soon, nevermind the main attraction at a toy drive where you could get an autograph in exchange for two unwrapped gifts. The ace was a complete class act, staying late to accommodate every fan who braved the cold. Read my previous post about graphing Pedro Martinez.

Pedro Martinez autographed baseball

Pedro Martinez autographed baseball

3. Wayne Rooney (soccer ball)
Yep, another soccer graph. On a sweltering July afternoon I graphed Rooney on a 2011 Champions League Final ball. It was the only Manchester United autograph I got because as soon as Wayne signed I raced home (see my previously mentioned mistake with the Iniesta photo).

Wayne Rooney autographed ball

Wayne Rooney autographed ball

2. Jeff Bridges (8×10)
A complete surprise encounter, Bridges lived up to his fan-friendly rep by taking time to sign and take a picture with me after returning from a day of filming R.I.P.D. in Boston. Read my previous post about graphing Jeff Bridges.

Jeff Bridges autographed 8x10

Jeff Bridges autographed 8x10

1. Deftones (8×10)
One of the influential bands in my life, it was an absolutely amazing experience to finally meet Chino Moreno and his Deftones bandmates before a show at the House of Blues in Boston. Granted, I paid $150 to get VIP access but it worth every cent. From the intimate soundcheck performance to the meet and greet where we were photographed rocking our best b-boy stances, it was my most memorable autograph-related experience of the year. Read my previous post about graphing the Deftones.

Deftones autographed 8x10

Deftones autographed 8x10

5 that just missed the cut: Blake Griffin (8×10), Talib Kweli (album), Leighton Meester (8×10), Shaquille O’Neal (8×10), Seth Rogen (8×10).

I’m eager to see what autographs you’ve obtained this year as well—please share your own top 10 list in the Comments section (and let me know if anything here at Autograph U helped you get one).

Matt Raymond

is the founder of Autograph University. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and two sons. Connect with him on Twitter at @mattraymond.

6 Responses

  1. Steve Mason says:

    My top 10
    10.Demarcus Cousins-11×14
    9. Nani-8×10 ManU
    8.Blake Griffin-16×20 dunking over car, signed tiny on hood of Kia.
    7.Carmelo Anthony-11×14
    6.Andre Aggasi-11×14
    5.Jerry Jones-8×10
    4.Phillip Rivers-11×14
    3.Korn signed 11×14, would be #2 but Jonathan Davis denied.
    2.Jeff Bridges-8×10
    1.Steven Spielberg-Jaws dvd cover. Was waiting for the Cowboys at hotel in Providence when a fellow grapher heard a rumor he was staying there, sprinted to Newbury Comics in the mall, and then the night passed, no sign on Spielberg, was about to go home, when down the hall way comes the legend himself, he racked so my mistake was not buying more.

    • Matt Raymond says:

      Great pickups — thanks for sharing! Bummer to hear about Jonathan Davis, I got him twice 10+ years ago and he was cool about it.

      I’m sure I’ll see you out there once the NBA season starts.

  2. Martin says:

    Great post Matt!
    Just wondering can you post your 10 top basketball successes with photos?

  1. December 20, 2011

    […] huge year for you – congrats! I just published a full post on this with pictures and notes: Autograph University's Top 10 Autographs of 2011 Here's my personal top 10 of 2011: 10. Marta 9. Ray LaMontagne 8. Mark Wahlberg 7. Anthony […]

  2. December 25, 2011

    […] December 14, 2011 Autograph University’s Top 10 Autographs of 2011 […]

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