Collector:
Steve Skalish
When did you start collecting?
My grandmother used to bring me home packs of baseball cards from the 7-11 when I was seven. That was the 1979 Topps set. That was the earliest I remember collecting cards. I started in with the autographs in the mid 80's.
What do you collect?
I've moved to mostly autographed collectibles now. I do try to get my hands on old items from the Vet and Spectrum, as well as game used items. I do also have a pretty good entertainment collection. But autographs have been my thing since I used to wait outside the Vet and Spectrum for players to come out in the 80's and early 90's.
What is your favorite piece?
About nine years ago, I came across two original seatbacks from Veterans Stadium for $20 apiece on eBay. We're talking the original rainbow colored plastic seatbacks. I've been filling them up with Phillies and Eagles signatures ever since. It's my labor of love.
The Phillies seat is the orange one, and I've gotten that up to 50 signatures now. The rule is that they had to play in the era of the seats, so Jimmy Rollins will never get to sign it (which I'm sure disappoints him to no end). The biggest names on it now are Carlton, Bunning, and Kalas. Every year on Alumni Weekend, I bring the seat to the stadium and try to add someone to it.
Check out more of Steve's collection:
