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!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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).