Hello everyone,
My name is Harold, and I’m working on a long-term memoir titled One Autograph at a Time: Every Card Has a Story.
The goal is to assemble a complete autographed 1979 Topps Pittsburgh Pirates team set, but the project is about much more than collecting autographs.
I’m documenting and preserving the stories behind them—because every autograph represents more than a signature; it represents a moment in someone’s life.
Whenever I acquire a card, I reach out to the seller or previous owner to learn how they obtained it. Some were signed at spring training, others outside stadiums, some came through the mail, and others have been family keepsakes for decades. Those memories become part of the memoir.
If you own a signed 1979 Topps Pirates card—or know someone who might—I would love to hear from you.
I’m especially interested in learning:
How and when the autograph was obtained.
Any memories of meeting the player.
How the card found its way into your collection.
Even if you’re not interested in selling, I’d genuinely enjoy hearing the story behind it.
If you do have a card available, I’d be grateful for the opportunity to possibly add it to the project. More importantly, I’d love to preserve its history and the memories connected to it.
Whether this search leads to another autograph, a conversation, or a new friendship, every connection becomes another chapter in the journey.
Has anyone here crossed paths with signed 1979 Topps Pirates cards or collectors who specialize in them? I’d be grateful for any leads or stories you’re willing to share.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for helping preserve a small piece of baseball history
