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Patent 2175017 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2175017
(54) English Title: MEMORABILIA ARTICLES HAVING INTEGRAL COLLECTIBLE ATTRACTIVENESS ATTRIBUTES
(54) French Title: ARTICLES DE COLLECTION DOTES D'ATTRIBUTS ORIGINAUX INTEGRES
Status: Deemed Abandoned and Beyond the Period of Reinstatement - Pending Response to Notice of Disregarded Communication
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B44C 3/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • SCHLAUCH, FREDERICK C. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • FREDERICK C. SCHLAUCH
(71) Applicants :
  • FREDERICK C. SCHLAUCH (United States of America)
(74) Agent: OSLER, HOSKIN & HARCOURT LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 1996-04-25
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 1996-10-27
Examination requested: 2003-04-23
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
08/430,931 (United States of America) 1995-04-26

Abstracts

English Abstract


Collector-targeted memorabilia articles, and a method
of producing a collector-targeted memorabilia article by
affixing one or more integral collectible attractiveness
attributes to a selected base article. An item selectable
for use as a base article is, for example, a sports-related
item, a non-collector-targeted utilitarian item, a
pre-existing memorabilia item. an item intentionally
manufactured for use as a base article, or a like item.
Each memorabilia article is a unified body of tangible
material comprising a base article and a requisite integral
collectible attractiveness attribute affixed to the base
article in the form of a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality, a genuine autograph of a preferred personality,
or a facsimile fingerprint of a preferred personality. A
facsimile autograph of a preferred personality, limited
edition markings, a witness-signed authentication statement,
notarial confirmation text, and/or other integral
collectible attractiveness attributes may be affixed to the
base article.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a method of producing an improved collectible
article comprised of a unified body of tangible material,
the steps comprising:
(a) selecting an item from a group of items and using
said item as a base of said unified body of
tangible material; said item having at least one
surface; said group of items consisting
of: (i) card, (ii) comicbooks, (iii) milkcaps,
and (iii ) photograph created so as to have
intentional collectible value and to have
substantial attraction as collectible articles to
collectors of memorabilia, said photograph
depicting a preferred personality;
(b) placing a transferable substance on a finger of a
preferred personality, said transferable substance
qualifying as at least one kind of transferable

promotional photograph, an item of entertainment
memorabilia, a poster which is collectible, a motion picture
lobby card, a motion picture cel, a trading card, a sheet of
trading cards, a hall-of-fame memorabilia item, a milkcap, a
slammer, a disc which is collectible, a philatelic item, a
figurine, a bound publication, a first edition book, a
comicbook, a comicbook-related work of art, a fanzine, an
animation cel, a pennant, a 3-by-5-inch index card, and a
collectible political item.
(b) selecting a preferred personality from a group of
preferred personalities, said group of preferred
personalities consisting of: an active professional
athlete, a retired professional athlete, a sports hall-of-
fame member, a notable amateur athlete, a notable sports-
related personality, an entertainment personality, a mass-
media personality, a notable academic personality, a notable
author, a notable political personality, a heroic
personality, a public figure, a famous personality, or a
like personality.
(c) affixing to said base article a genuine fingerprint
created by said preferred presonality as a preferred-
personality-created integral collectible attractiveness
attribute means for enhancing and/or creating collectible
attractiveness of the resultant body of unified tangible
material (which is a collector-targeted memorabilia article)
to memorabilia collectors.

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2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said method
further comprises:
selecting at least a second integral collectible
attribute from a group of integral collectible attributes
and affixing said at least second to said base so that said
second attribute becomes an integral part of said
unified body of tangible material and functions as
an integral collectible attractiveness attribute means for
creating and/or enhancing attractiveness of the article to
memorabilia collectors; said group of integral collectible
attributes being comprised of: a genuine autograph created
by said perferred personality, a textual authentication
attribute, a statement having authentication wording,
notarial confirmation text, a witness signature, a notary
public signature, a date, a geographic location, a hologram,
an anti-counterfeiting marking, a name of said preferred
personality, and a like attribute, and
affixing said at least second attribute to said base
article as an integral collectible attractiveness attribute
means.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the method
further comprises:
affixing at least four of said integral collectible
attractiveness attributes to said base article, said at

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least four attributes including notarial confirmation text
and limited edition markings.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the method
further comprises:
selecting as said preferred personality an
entertainment personality or a sports-related personality,
and
affixing to said base article a pictorial image of said
preferred personality created on the date of the creating
and affixing of said genuine fingerprint.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said base
article selected is a trading card.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said base
article is a card.
7. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said preferred
personality is a writing-disable preferred personality.

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8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said preferred
personality is a sports hall-of-fame member.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said base
article is an index card.
10. The method as claimed in claim 2, where said preferred
personality is a notable academic personality.
11. The product of the method as claimed in claim 1, said
product being the body of unified tangible material which is
a memorabilia article.
12. The product of the method as claimed in claim 2, said
product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.
13. The product of the method as claimed in claim 3, said
product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.

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14. The product of the method as claimed in claim 4, said
product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.
15. The product of the method as claimed in claim 7, said
product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.
16. The product of the method as claimed in claim 9, said
product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.
17. A memorabilia article comprising:
a genuine fingerprint of a preferred personality affixed to
a base article as an integral collectible attractiveness
attribute means for creating and/or enhancing attractiveness
of the article to memorabilia collectors.
18. The memorabilia article of claim 17 further comprising
a genuine autograph of said preferred personality and at
least five additional integral collectible attractiveness
attributes, including notarial confirmation text.

19. The memorabilia article of claim 18 further comprising
a substantially utilitarian item as its base article and
having an association with promotional packaging in which
the memorabilia article is being merchandise, said
promotional packaging including an imitation fingerprint and
a preferred personality representation imprinted thereon.
20. A memorabilia article comprising a base article which
is a trading card, a genuine signature of a preferred
personality, limited edition marking, a witness-signed
authentication statement, and notarial confirmation text.
21. A method of producing a collector-targeted memorabilia
article, said method comprising:
supplying an item for use as a base article;
having a finger of a preferred personality interact with a
fingerprint-forming substance and said base
article so as to create and to affix integrally
a genuine fingerprint of said preferred
personality on a predetermined surface area of
said base article;
using masking means to prevent any substantial amount of
said fingerprint-forming substance from affixing
integrally to any surface portion of said base

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article outside of and adjacent to said
predetermined surface area;
said genuine fingerprint being created and affixed as a
preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attribute;
affixing limited edition markings integrally to said base
article; and
combining said genuine fingerprint and said limited
edition markings with said base article so
as to form an integrally unified body of
tangible material,
said genuine fingerprint and said limited edition markings
being affixed to said base article as attribute
means for creating said integrally unified body
of tangible material as a product which is a
collector-targeted memorabilia article intended
to be attractive to memorabilia collectors.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said finger
is coated with said fingerprint-forming substance, wherein
said masking means comprises a mask having an aperture with
perimeter edging and a shape which are substantially
dimensionally equal to the perimeter edging and the shape of
said predetermined surface area, wherein said mask is
removably placed on said base article so as to approximately
align the perimeter edging of said mask with the perimeter

87
edging of said predetermined surface area, and wherein said
finger is moved to touch said predetermined surface area
through said aperture so as to deposit said fingerprint-
forming substance on said predetermined surface area and so
as to create and affix said genuine fingerprint.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the shape of
said aperture substantially resembles a life aspect of said
preferred personality.
24. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said
item was selected from the group of items consisting of:
trading cards, sheets of trading cards, milkcaps, slammers,
and sporting equipment items.
25. The method as claimed in claim 21, said method further
comprising:
affixing an authenication statement integrally to said
said base article,
said authentication statement including: wording to
certify the genuinessness of said genuine
fingerprint, and a signature of a person who
certifies to the truth of the contents of said
authentication statement; and

88
affixing notarial confirmation text integrally to said
base article,
said notarial confirmation text including: wording which
substantiates that said person who certifies to
the truth of the contents of said authentication
statement did so certify in the presence of a
notary public, and a signature of said notary
public.
said authentication statement and said notarial
confirmation statement being affixed as integral
collectible attractiveness attribute means for
enhancing attractiveness of said integrally
unified body of tangible material as a
collector-targeted memorabilia article attractive
to memorabilia collectors.
26. The method as claimed in claim 21, said method further
comprising:
affixing an autograph of said preferred personality
integrally to said base article,
said autograph being affixed as an integral collectible
attractiveness means for enhancing attractiveness
of said integrally unified body of tangible
material as a collector-targeted memorabilia
article attractive to memorabilia collectors.

89
27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the item
supplied for use as said base article is a photograph of
said preferred personality; wherein said photograph includes
a defined and prepared surface area for affixing both said
genuine fingerprint and said autograph, said defined and
prepared surface area being larger than said predetermined
surface area, and said predetermined surface area being
included within said defined and prepared surface area;
wherein said preferred personality is a member of a sports
hall-of-fame; and wherein said autograph is a genuine
autograph created by said perferred personality and affixed
substantially to said defined and prepared surface area.
28. A method of producing a collector-targeted memorabilia
article, said method comprising:
selecting an item from a group of items,
said group of items consisting of: trading cards which
are sports cards, trading cards which are
nonsports cards, sheets of trading cards,
milkcaps, slammers, comicbooks, animation cels,
items which are substantially ball-shaped, and
pre-existing sports memorabilia items related to a
sports hall-of-fame;
supplying said item for use as a base article;
selecting a preferred personality from a group of

preferred personalities,
said group of preferred personalities consisting of:
active professional athletes, retired
professional athletes, sports hall-of-fame
members, notable amateur athletes, entertainment
personalities, mass-media personalities, notable
academic personalities, notable authors, heroic
personalities, public figures, famous
personalities, and comicbook-related
personalities;
having a finger of said perferred personality interact
with a fingerprint-forming substance and the base
article so as to create and affix a genuine
fingerprint of said preferred personality on a
surface area of the base article;
and
unifying integrally the base article and said genuine
fingerprint together as an integrally unified body
of tangible material,
said genuine fingerprint being created and affixed as a
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute, and
said genuine fingerprint being created and affixed as an
attribute means for creating said integrally
unified body of tangible material as a product
which is a collector-targeted memorabilia article
intended to be attractive to memorabilia

91
collectors.
29. The method as claimed in claim 28, said method further
comprising:
using a removable mask having an aperture;
placing said removable mask on the base article so that
the perimeter of said aperture is substantially
aligned with the perimeter of said surface area of
the base article, said surface area having a size
and a shape substantially equal to the size and
shape of said aperture, and said surface area
substantially being the surface portion of the
base article enclosed by the perimeter of said
aperture; and
moving said finger through said aperture so as to create
and affix said genuine fingerprint on the base
article,
said removable mask substantially preventing application
of said fingerprint-forming substance to any
surface portion of the base article outside of and
adjacent to said surface area of the base article;
whereby said genuine fingerprint is created and affixed on
the base article as an integral attribute of a
predetermined size and predetermined shape.

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30. The method as claimed in claim 29, said method further
comprising:
affixing an authentication statement integrally to said
base article,
said authentication statement including: a name of said
preferred personality, the date on which said
preferred personality created and affixed said
genuine fingerprint, a name of the geographic
location at which said personality created and
affixed said genuine fingerprint, and a signature
of a person who witnessed said preferred
personality create and affix said genuine
fingerprint, and
said authentication statement being affixed as an
integral collectible attractiveness attribute
means for enhancing attractiveness of said
integrally unified body of tangible material as a
product which is a collector-targeted memorabilia
article intended to be attractive to memorabilia
collectors.
31. The method as claimed in claim 28, said method further
comprising:
affixing, integrally to the base article, a borderline
substantially around the edging of said genuine
fingerprint; and

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affixing, integrally to the base article, limited edition
markings;
said borderline and said limited edition markings being
affixed as integral collectible attractiveness
attribute means for enhancing attractiveness of
said integrally unified body of tangible material
as a product which is a collector-targeted
memorabilia article intended to be attractive to
memorabilia collectors.
32. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said
preferred personality is handicapped by a handwriting
disability.
33. The method as claimed in claim 28, said method further
comprising:
affixing a genuine autograph of said preferred personality
to the base article, said genuine autograph being
affixed as an integral collectible attractiveness
attribute means for enhancing attractiveness of
said integrally unified body of tangible material
as a product which is a collector-targeted
memorabilia article intended to be attractive to
memorabilia collectors.

94
34. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein
the item for use as said base article is substantially
ball-shaped, and wherein said preferred personality is an
athlete.
35. The product of the method as claimed in claim 21, said
product comprising: said integrally unified body of
tangible material which is a collector-targeted memorabilia
article intended to be attractive to memorabilia collectors.
36. The product of the method as claimed in claim 28, said
product comprising: said integrally unified body of
tangible material which is a collector-targeted memorabilia
article intended to be attractive to memorabilia collectors.
37. A collector-targeted memorabilia article, comprising:
a base article which is a trading card, a milk cap, or a
slammer;
a genuine fingerprint of a preferred personality
integrally affixed to a surface area of said base
article, said genuine fingerprint being a
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute;

said preferred personality is an active professional
athletes, a retired professional athlete, a sports
hall-of-fame member, an entertainment
personality, a public figure, and/or a
comicbook-related personality;
said genuine fingerprint and said base article are
united together as an integrally unified body of
tangible material which is a collector-targeted
memorabilia article intended to be attractive to
memorabilia collectors.
38. The collector-targeted memorabilia article as claimed
in claim 37, further comprising: limited edition markings
integrally affixed to said base article.
39. The collector-targeted memorabilia article as claimed
in claim 37, further comprising: a genuine autograph of
said preferred personality affixed to said base article.
40. The collector-targeted memorabilia article as claimed
in claim 39, further comprising:
an image of said preferred personality printed on a
said base article;
a borderline integrally affixed around the edging of

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said genuine fingerprint;
limited edition markings integrally affixed to said base
article; and
an authentication statement integrally affixed to said
base article.
41. A method of producing a collector-targeted memorabilia
article, said method comprising:
supplying an item for use as a base article;
causing a finger of a preferred personality to interact
with a fingerprint-forming substance and said base
article so as to create and to affix integrally a
genuine fingerprint on a predetermined surface area of
said base article;
using masking means to prevent any substantial amount of
said fingerprint-forming substance from affixing
integrally to a surface portion of said base article
outside of and adjacent to said predetermined surface
area;
creating and affixing said genuine fingerprint as a
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute; and
combining said genuine fingerprint and said base article
so as to produce an integrally unified body of
tangible material in the form of a product which is a
collector-targeted memorabilia article.
42. The method as claimed in claim 41, wherein said finger
is coated with said fingerprint-forming substance, wherein

97
said masking means comprises a mask having an aperture with
perimeter edging and a shape which are substantially
dimensionally equal to the perimeter edging and the shape of
said predetermined surface area, wherein said mask is
removably placed on said base article so as to approximately
align the perimeter edging of said predetermined surface
area, and wherein said finger is moved to touch said
predetermined surface area through said aperture so as to
deposit said fingerprint-forming substance on said
predetermined surface area and so as to create and affix
said genuine fingerprint.
43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the shape of
said aperture substantially symbolizes a life aspect of said
preferred personality.
44. The method as claimed in claim 41, said method further
comprising:
affixing limited edition markings integrally to said base
article.
45. The method as claimed in claim 41, said method further
comprising:
affixing an authentication statement integrally to said
base article,
said authentication statement including: wording to
certify the genuineness of said genuine fingerprint,
and a signature of a person who certifies to the truth
of the contents of said authentication statement; and
affixing notarial confirmation text integrally to said

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base article,
said notarial confirmation text including: wording which
substantiates that said person who certifies to the
truth of the contents of said authentication statement
did so certify in the presence of a notary public.
46. The method as claimed in claim 41, said method further
comprising:
creating an additional integral collectible attractiveness
attribute which is a genuine autograph of said
preferred personality, a facsimile fingerprint of
said preferred personality, or a facsimile autograph
of said preferred personality, and
affixing said additional integral collectible
attractiveness attribute to said base article.
47. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein said
preferred personality is a professional athlete, wherein
said base article is a photograph depicting said preferred
personality wearing sports clothing, wherein said photograph
includes a defined and prepared surface area for receiving a
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute, wherein said additional integral
collectible attractiveness attribute is a genuine autograph
of said preferred personality, and wherein the affixing of
said additional integral collectible attractiveness
attribute is executed on said defined and prepared surface
area.

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48. A product of the method as claimed in claim 41, said
product comprising: said integally unified body of tangible
material in the form of a product which is a collector-
targeted memorabilia article.
49. A method of producing a memorabilia article, said
method comprising:
selecting a base article;
affixing a plurality of integral collectible
attractiveness attributes to said base article,
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes including a fingerprint of a preferred
personality,
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes further including an autograph of said
preferred personality,
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes further including a name of said preferred
personality,
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes further including a pictorial image of said
preferred personality, and
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes further including limited edition markings;
thereby unifying integrally said plurality of integral
collectible attractiveness attributes and said base
article together as a unified body of tangible
material, and
producing said unified body of tangible material as a
product which is a memorabilia article.

100
50. The method as claimed in claim 49, wherein
the fingerprint of said preferred personality is a genuine
fingerprint, and wherein the autograph of said preferred
personality is a genuine autograph.
51. The method as claimed in claim 49, said method
further comprising:
affixing an authentication statement to said base article,
including in said authentication statement wording which
certifies that said fingerprint is a genuine
fingerprint personally created by said preferred
personality, and
including in said authentication statement a signature.
52. The method as claimed in claim 49, wherein said
fingerprint is a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality who is a hall-of-fame member and who has a
handwriting disability.
53. The method as claimed in claim 49, wherein said
preferred personality is a professional athlete, and wherein
said unified body of tangible material comprises a
memorabilia article which is a sports-related card.
54. The method as claimed in claim 49, wherein

101
the fingerprint of said preferred personality is a facsimile
fingerprint, and wherein the autograph of said preferred
personality is a facsimile autograph.
55. The method as claimed in claim 49, wherein said
preferred personality is an active professional athlete,
wherein said limited edition markings comprise the term
LIMITED EDITION, and wherein said limited edition markings
comprise numerical indicia identifying said unified body of
tangible material as being a specific number in a series of
memorabilia articles.
56. A product of the method as claimed in claim 49,
said product comprising: a memorabilia article in the form
of said unified body of tangible material.
57. A memorabilia article including at least one integral
collectible attractiveness attribute, said memorabilia
article comprising:
an integrally unified body of tangible material which
comprises an item,
said item qualifying as at least one kind in the group of
kinds consisting of: the kind of item which is a
a sports-related card, the kind of item which
is a trading card, the kind of item which is a sports
card, the kind of item which is a nonsports card,
the kind of item which is a milkcap, the kind of
item which is a slammer, the kind of item which is
a comicbook, and the kind of item which is a
sports-related ball; and

102
an integral collectible attractiveness attribute set which
is comprised by said integrally unified body of
tangible material,
said integral collectible attractiveness attribute set
including at least one integral collectible
attractiveness attribute, and
said integral collectible attractiveness attribute set
qualifying as at least one kind in the group of kinds
consisting of: the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a
fingerprint having a shape symbolizing a life aspect of
a preferred personality; the kind of integral
collectible attractiveness attribute set which
comprises a fingerprint of a preferred personality and
a borderline substantially along the perimeter of the
fingerprint; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a
fingerprint of a preferred personality and limited
edition markings; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a
fingerprint of a preferred personality and a hologram;
the kind of integral collectible attractiveness
attribute set which comprises a genuine fingerprint of
a preferred personality and an authentication statement
certifying the genuineness of the genuine fingerprint;
the kind of integral collectible attractiveness
attribute set which comprises a genuine fingerprint
of a preferred personality and a genuine autograph of a
preferred personality; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a genuine
fingerprint of a preferred personality and a facsimile
fingerprint of the preferred personality; the kind of
integral collectible attractiveness attribute set which

103
comprises a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality and a facsimile autograph of the
preferred personality; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a genuine
autograph of a preferred personality, a signed
authentication statement certifying the genuineness of
the genuine autograph, notarial confirmation text, a
pictorial image of the preferred personality, and
limited edition markings; the kind of integral
collectible attractiveness attribute set which
comprises a genuine autograph of a preferred
personality and a facsimile fingerprint of the
preferred personality; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a genuine
autograph of a preferred personality, a name of the
geographic location where the genuine autograph was
created, a date, a signature of a person who witnessed
the creation of the genuine autograph and who is a
notary public, and limited edition markings; the kind
of integral collectible attractiveness attribute
set which comprises a facsimile fingerprint of
a preferred personality and a facsimile autograph of
the preferred personality; and the kind of integral
collectible attractiveness attribute set which
comprises a facsimile fingerprint of a preferred
personality, a pictorial image of the preferred
personality, and limited edition markings.
58. The memorabilia article including at least one integral
collectible attractiveness attribute as claimed in claim 57,
wherein said item is a sports-related ball, and

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wherein said integral collectible attractiveness attribute
set comprises a fingerprint of a preferred personality, an
autograph of the preferred personality, limited edition
markings, and a hologram.
59. The memorabilia article including at least one integral
collectible attractiveness attribute as claimed in claim 47,
wherein said item is a sports-related card, and wherein said
integral collectible attractiveness attribute set comprises
a fingerprint of a preferred personality, a pictorial image
of the preferred personality, limited edition markings, and
additional matter wwhich is organic matter containing
genetic information from and about the biotic body of the
preferred personality, said matter also being affixed to the
base article as an integral collectible attractiveness
attribute component of the attribute set comprised by the
unified body of tangible material.
60. The memorabilia article including at least one integral
collectible attractiveness attribute as claimed in claim 57,
wherein said item is a sports-related card, and wherein said
integral collectible attractiveness attribute set comprises
a facsimile fingerprint of a preferred personality, a
facsimile autograph of the preferred personality, a
pictorial image of the preferred personality, a print-
lettered name of the preferred personality, and limited
edition markings.
61. A product of the method as recited in claim 16, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.

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62. A product of the method as recited in claim 17, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
63. A product of the method as recited in claim 20, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
64. A product of the method as recited in claim 23, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
65. A product of the method as recited in claim 28, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
66. A product of the method as recited in claim 30, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
67. A product of the method as recited in claim 33, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.

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68. A product of the method as recited in claim 34, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
69. A product of the method as recited in claim 35, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
70. A product of the method as recited in claim 44, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
71. A product of the method as recited in claim 45, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
72. A product of the method as recited in claim 46, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
73. A product of the method as recited in claim 49, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
74. A product of the method as recited in claim 52, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.

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75. A product of the method as recited in claim 53, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
76. A product of the method as recited in claim 54, said
product comprising said improved collectible article.
77. An improved collectible article comprising a unified
body of tangible material, said improved collectible article
comprising:
(a) a base as a part of said unified body of tangible
material, wherein said base is an item of the type
including: (i) a trading card which is a baseball
card, (ii) a trading card which is a football
card, (iii) a trading card which is a hockey card,
(iv) a trading card which is a basketball card,
(v) a trading card which is a golf card, (vi) a
trading card which is a soccer card, (vii) a
trading card which is an auto-racing card, (viii)
a trading card sheet including at least one
baseball card, (ix) a trading card sheet including
at least one football card, (x) a trading card
sheet including at least one hockey card, (xi) a
trading card sheet including at least one
basketball card, (xii ) a trading card sheet

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including at least one golf card, (xiii) a trading
card sheet including at least one soccer card,
(xiv) a trading card sheet including at least one
auto-racing card, and (xv) a sports hall-of-fame
card; and
(b) an indicium as a part of said body of tangible
material, wherein said indicium is an image of a
fingerprint pattern of a preferred personality
affixed to said base created on said base by said
preferred personality as a collectible
enhancement augmentation means.
78. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 77, additionally comprising: a pictorial image of
said preferred personality imprinted on said base.
79. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 78, wherein said base is a kind of trading card which
is a baseball card.
80. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 79, additionally comprising: a pictorial image of
said preferred personality, said pictorial image being
imprinted on said base, said preferred personality being a

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retired professional baseball player, and said base being a
sports hall-of-fame card.
81. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 80, additionally comprising: a signature of a notary
public affixed to said base.
82. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 77, additionally comprising: a body of text imprinted
on said base, said body of text including information
authenticating said fingerprint indicium as an indicium
created by said preferred personality.
83. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 77, additionally comprising: a notarized statement
integrally affixed on said base, said notarized statement
including text certifying said preferred personality created
said fingerprint indicium, and said notarized statement
further including a signature of a notary public affixed to
said base.
84. The improved collectible article as claimed in

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claim 83, additionally comprising: a signature of a witness
who observed said preferred personality create said
fingerprint indicium, said signature being an integral part
of said notarized statement.
85. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 77, additionally comprising: an autographic indicium,
said autographic indicium being an autograph of said
preferred personality affixed to said base.
86. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 85, additionally comprising: a body of text imprinted
on said base, said body of text including information
authenticating at least one indicium of the pair of indicia
consisting of said fingerprint indicium and said autographic
indicium.
87. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 85, additionally comprising: a notarized statement
integrally affixed on said base, said notarized statement
comprised of a body of imprinted text and a signature of a
notary public, and said notarized statement including
information certifying both said fingerprint indicium and

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said autographic indicium as authentic creations of said
preferred personality.
88. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 77, additionally comprising at least one augmentation
from the group of augmentations consisting of: (i) a bar
code imprinted on said base; (ii) a hologram adhered to said
base; and (iii) an organic matter augmentation, said organic
matter augmentation containing genetic information on the
biotic body of said preferred personality, and said organic
matter augmentation being affixed to said base.
89. An improved collectible article comprising a unified
body of tangible material, said improved collectible article
comprising:
(a) a base qualifying as at least one kind of item in a
group of kinds of items, said group of kinds of
items consisting of: (i) a kind of trading card
which is substantially rectangular, (ii) a kind of
trading card which is substantially circular,
(iii) a kind of trading card which is
substantially a sticker, (iv) a kind of trading
card which is a promo card, (v) a kind of trading
card which is a sports card, (vi) a kind of
trading card which is a nonsports card, (vii) a

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kind of trading card which is a topical card,
(viii ) a kind of trading card which is a science
fiction card, (x) a kind of trading card which is
a fantasy card, (xi) a kind of trading card which
is a horror card, (xii ) a kind of trading card
which is a war card, (xiii ) a kind of trading card
which is a humor card, (xiv) a kind of trading
card which is an entertainment card, (xv) a kind
of trading card which is an educational card,
(xvi) a kind of trading card which is a natural
history card, (xvii ) a kind of trading card which
is an environmental card, (xviii) a kind of sheet
which is a sheet of trading cards, (xix) a kind of
comicbook which is a science fiction comicbook,
(xx) a kind of comicbook which is a fantasy
comicbook, (xxi) a kind of comicbook which is a
superhero comicbook, (xxii) a kind of comicbook
which is a horror comicbook, (xxiii) a kind of
comicbook which is a war comicbook, (xxiv) a kind
of comicbook which is a humorous comicbook, (xxv)
a kind of comicbook which is an educational
comicbook, (xxvi) a kind of comicbook which is a
sports comicbook, (xxvii) a kind of substantially
flat work of art which is an original drawing
depicting at least one character who appears in a
fictional comicbook story, (xxviii) a kind of
substantially flat work of comicbook-related art

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which is a drawing by a professional comicbook
artist, (xxix) a kind of substantially flat work
of art which is an original painting depicting at
least one character who appears in a fictional
comicbook story, (xxx) a kind of substantially
flat work of comicbook-related art which is a
painting by a professional comicbook artist,
(xxxi) a kind of lithographic print which is
comicbook-related art, (xxxii) a kind of poster
which is a poster substantially depicting a
professional sports personality, (xxxiii) a kind
of poster which is a poster used to promote a
motion picture, (xxxiv) a kind of poster which is
a poster depicting a comicbook character, (xxxv) a
kind of card which is a lobby card used to promote
a motion picture, (xxxvi) a kind of motion piction
cel which is an animation cel, (xxxvii) a kind of
photograph of a professional sports personality
which is distributed for promotional purposes,
(xxxviii) a kind of photograph of a comicbook
artist which is distributed for promotional
purposes, (xxxix) a kind of photograph of a motion
picture personality which is distributed for
promotional purposes, (xl) a kind of photograph of
a political personality which is distributed for
promotional purposes, (xli) a kind of photograph
of a sports personality which is commercially

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distributed and sold as an item of collectible
memorabilia, (xlii) a kind of photograph of an
entertainment personality which is commercially
distributed and sold as an item of collectible
memorabilia, (xliii) a kind of photograph of a
professional sports personality which is
commercially promoted under auspices of a
professional sports union of which said
professional sports personality is a member,
(xliv) a kind of photograph of a professional
sports personality which is commercially promoted
under auspices of a professional sports league
corporation, (xlv) a kind of collectible disc
which resembles a milk bottle cap and which
bears imprinted nonsports subject matter, and
(xlvi) a kind of collectible disc which resembles
a milk bottle cap and which bears imprinted sports
subject matter;
(b) a fingerprint indicium as a part of said body of
tangible material, wherein said fingerprint
indicium is a substantially indelible image of a
fingerprint pattern of a preferred personality,
said fingerprint indicium having been affixed to
said base by said preferred personality as a
collectible enhancement augmentation means;
(c) a substantially indelible print-lettered name of said
preferred personality affixed on said base.

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90. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 89, additionally comprising: (i) a date imprinted on
said base, said preferred personality having created said
fingerprint indicium on said date; (ii) a name of a
geographic location imprinted on said base; and (iii) a name
of a witness affixed on said base, said witness being a
person who observed said preferred personality create said
fingerprint indicium, and said name of a witness being a
name of the type including a print-lettered name and a
signed name.
91. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 89, additionally comprising: a body of text imprinted
on said base, said body of text including information
authenticating said fingerprint indicium.
92. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 89, additionally comprising: a notarized statement
integrally affixed on said base as part of said body of
tangible material, said notarized statement comprising a
body of text certifying the authenticity of said fingerprint
indicium, and said notarized statement further comprising a
signature of a notary public affixed to said base.

116
93. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 92, wherein said base is a trading card.
94. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 92, wherein said base comprises comicbook-related
matter.
95. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 92, wherein said base comprises a substantially flat
work of original art.
96. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 92, wherein said base is a motion picture cel.
97. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 92, wherein said base is a photograph depicting said
preferred personality, wherein said preferred personality is
an entertainment personality, wherein said photograph has a
width between approximately 7 inches and approximately 12
inches, and wherein said photograph has a length between
approximately 9 inches and approximately 17 inches.

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98. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 93, wherein said base is a photograph depicting said
preferred personality in a professional sports uniform, and
wherein said photograph has a width between approximately 7
inches and approximately 12 inches, and wherein said
photograph has a length between approximately 9 inches and
approximately 17 inches.
99. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 94, wherein said notarized statement further comprises
a signature of a witness who observed said preferred
personality create said fingerprint indicium.
100. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 99, wherein said preferred personality is a sports
personality, and wherein said base is a photograph which is
commercially distributed and sold as an item of collectible
memorabilia.
101. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 89, additionally comprising: an autographic indicium
affixed to said base, wherein said autographic indicium is

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an autograph of the type including an authentic autograph of
said preferred personality and a facsimile autograph having
at least a superficial resemblance to an autograph of said
preferred personality.
102. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 101, additionally comprising: (i) a date imprinted on
said base; (ii) a name of a geographic location imprinted on
said base; and (iii) a name of a witness affixed on said
base, said witness being a person who observed said
preferred personality create at least one indicium of the
pair of indicia consisting of said fingerprint indicium and
said autographic indicium, and said name of a witness being
a name of the type including a print-lettered name and a
signed name.
103. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 101, additionally comprising: a notarized statement
integrally affixed on said base as part of said body of
tangible material, said notarized statement comprising a
body of text certifying the authenticity of at least one
indicium of the pair of indicia consisting of said
fingerprint indicium and said autographic indicium, and said
notarized statement further comprising a signature of a
notary public affixed to said base.

119
104. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 103, wherein said base is a trading card.
105. The improved collectible article as claimed
in claim 103, wherein said base is an item of substantially
comicbook-related matter.
106. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 103, wherein said base is a kind of motion picture cel
which is an animation cel.
107. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 103, wherein said base is a photograph of the type of
photograph including a photograph depicting a motion picture
personality, a photograph depicting a political personality,
and a photograph depicting a sports personality.
108. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 107, wherein said base is a photograph of a
professional baseball player, and wherein said preferred
personality is said professional baseball player.

120
109. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 103, wherein said notarized statement further
comprises a signature of a witness who observed said
preferred personality create said fingerprint indicium.
110. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 103, additionally comprising at least one augmentation
on said base from the group of augmentations consisting of:
(i) an imprinted numerical indicium, (ii) an adhered
hologram, (iii) an imprinted bar code, and (iv) an adhered
body of organic matter containing genetic information on the
biotic body of said preferred personality.
111. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 109, wherein said body of text certifies the
authenticity of both indicia of said pair of indicia.
112. An improved collectible article comprising a unified
body of tangible material, said improved collectible article
comprising:
(a) a base qualifying as at least one kind of item in a
group of kinds of items, said group of kinds of

121
items consisting of: (i) a kind of trading card
which is substantially rectangular, (ii) a kind of
trading card which is substantially circular,
(iii) a kind of trading card which is
substantially a sticker, (iv) a kind of trading
card which is a promo card, (v) a kind of trading
card which is a sports card, (vi) a kind of
trading card which is a nonsports card, (vii) a
kind of trading card which is a topical card,
(viii) a kind of trading card which is a science
fiction card, (x) a kind of trading card which is
a fantasy card, (xi) a kind of trading card which
is a horror card, (xii) a kind of trading card
which is a war card, (xiii) a kind of trading card
which is a humor card, (xiv) a kind of trading
card which is an entertainment card, (xv) a kind
of trading card which is an educational card,
(xvi) a kind of trading card which is a natural
history card, (xvii) a kind of trading card which
is an environmental card, (xviii) a kind of sheet
which is a sheet of trading cards, (xix) a kind of
comicbook which is a science fiction comicbook,
(xx) a kind of comicbook which is a fantasy
comicbook, (xxi) a kind of comicbook which is a
superhero comicbook, (xxii) a kind of comicbook
which is a horror comicbook, (xxiii) a kind of
comicbook which is a war comicbook, (xxiv) a kind

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of comicbook which is a humorous comicbook, (xxv)
a kind of comicbook which is an educational
comicbook, (xxvi) a kind of comicbook which is a
sports comicbook, (xxvii) a kind of substantially
flat work of art which is an original drawing
depicting at least one character who appears in a
fictional comicbook story, (xxviii) a kind of
substantially flat work of comicbook-related art
which is a drawing by a professional comicbook
artist, (xxix) a kind of substantially flat work
of art which is an original painting depicting at
least one character who appears in a fictional
comicbook story, (xxx) a kind of substantially
flat work of comicbook-related art which is a
painting by a professional comicbook artist,
(xxxi) a kind of lithographic print which is
comicbook-related art, (xxxii) a kind of poster
which is a poster substantially depicting a
professional sports personality, (xxxiii) a kind
of poster which is a poster used to promote a
motion picture, (xxxiv) a kind of poster which is
a poster depicting a comicbook character, (xxxv) a
kind of card which is a lobby card used to promote
a motion picture, (xxxvi) a kind of motion piction
cel which is an animation cel, (xxxvii) a kind of
photograph of a professional sports personality
which is distributed for promotional purposes,

123
7 a kind of photograph of a comicbook
artist which is distributed for promotional
purposes, (xxxix) a kind of photograph of a motion
picture personality which is distributed for
promotional purposes, (xl) a kind of photograph of
a political personality which is distributed for
promotional purposes, (xli) a kind of photograph
of a sports personality which is commercially
distributed and sold as an item of collectible
memorabilia, (xlii) a kind of photograph of an
entertainment personality which is commercially
distributed and sold as an item of collectible
memorabilia, (xliii) a kind of photograph of a
professional sports personality which is
commercially promoted under auspices of a
professional sports union of which said
professional sports personality is a member,
(xliv) a kind of photograph of a professional
sports personality which is commercially promoted
under auspices of a professional sports league
corporation, (xlv) a kind of item of printed
matter which is a sports hall-of-fame card, (xlvi)
a kind of item of printed matter which is a sports
publication, (xlvii) a kind of item of printed
matter which is a fanzine, (xlviii) a kind of item
of printed matter which is a first edition book,
(xlix) a kind of item of printed matter which is

124
a limited edition collectible item comprised
substantially of paper, (1) a kind of philatelic
item which is a first day cover, (li) a kind of
philatelic item which is a commemorative cover,
(lii) a kind of tangible work of fine art which
is a limited edition lithographic print, (liii) a
kind of tangible work of fine art which is a
limited edition photographic work, (liv) a kind of
tangible work of fine art work which is a limited
edition ceramic work, (lv) a kind of plate which
is a limited edition collector's plate, (lvi) a
kind of statuette which is a collector's
statuette, (lvii) a kind of statuette which is a
statuette of a professional sports personality,
(lviii) a kind of statuette which is a
statuette of a motion picture personality, (lix) a
kind of collectible disc which resembles a milk
bottle cap and which bears imprinted nonsports
subject matter, and (lx) a kind of collectible
disc which resembles a milk bottle cap and which
bears imprinted sports subject matter;
(b) an autographic indicium affixed to said base as a
part of said body of tangible material, wherein
said autograph indicium is an autograph of a
preferred personality; and
(c) a notarized statement integrally affixed to said
base, said notarized statement comprising a body

125
of text having wording to authenticate said
autographic indicium, and said notarized statement
further comprising a signature of a notary public
affixed to said base.
113. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is a trading card.
114. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is comic-related matter.
115. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is an animation cel.
116. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is a photograph of a sports
personality.
117. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is a photograph of an
entertainment personality.

126
118. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is an item associated with
a sports hall-of-fame.
119. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is a philatelic item.
120. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is a tangible work of fine art.
121. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is a limited edition
collector's plate.
122. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said base is a statuette of a
professional sports personality.
123. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, wherein said notarized statement includes: (i) a
name of said preferred personality in print lettering, (ii)

127
a name of the state in which said notarized statement was
notarized, (iii) a name of the county in which said
notarized statement was notarized, and (iv) the date on
which said autographic indicium was created.
124. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 123, wherein said notarized statement additionally
includes: (i) a print-lettered name of a witness who
observed said preferred personality create said autographic
indicium, and (ii) a signature of said witness affixed to
said base.
125. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 124, wherein said base is a photograph of a sports
personality.
126. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 124, wherein said base is a photograph of an
entertainment personality.
127. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 124, wherein said base is an item associated with a
sports hall-of-fame.

128
128. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 124, wherein said base is a philatelic item.
129. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 124, wherein said base is a tangible work of fine art.
130. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 124, wherein said base is a limited edition
collector's plate.
131. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 124, wherein said base is a limited edition
collectible item.
132. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 112, additionally comprising: a fingerprint indicium
affixed to said base as a part of said body of tangible
material, wherein said fingerprint indicium is a
substantially indelible image of a fingerprint pattern of a
preferred personality.

129
133. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 132, wherein said base is a philatelic item.
134. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 132, wherein said base is an item associated with a
sports hall-of-fame.
135. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 132, wherein said base is a tangible work of fine art.
136. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 132, wherein said base is a limited edition
collector's plate.
137. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 132, wherein said base is a statuette of a
professional sports personality.
138. An improved collectible article comprising a unified
body of tangible material, said improved collectible article
comprising:

130
(a) a base qualifying as at least one item in a group of
kinds of items consisting of: (i) a substantially
utilitarian item having been selected for use as a
base for affixing thereon at least one
preferred-personality-created indicium so
as to give said utilitarian item substantial
collectible value, (ii) an item with insubstantial
collectible value having been selected for use as
a base for affixing thereon at least one
preferred-personality-created indicium so as to
give said item substantial collectible value, and
(iii) an item with substantial collectible
value having been selected for use as
a base for affixing thereon at least one
preferred-personality-created indicium so as to
give said item additional collectible value; and
(b) an indicium created by a preferred personality, said
indicium being affixed on said base as an integral
part of said unified body of material, said
indicium being a preferred-personality-created
indicium of the type including: (i) an autograph
comprised at least in part of organic matter
containing genetic information on the biotic body
of said preferred personality, said autograph
being an autographic indicium on said base, and
(ii) a fingerprint comprised at least in part of
organic matter containing genetic information on

131
the biotic body of said preferred personality,
said fingerprint being a fingerprint indicium on
said base.
139. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is a trading card.
140. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is a body of comicbook-related
matter.
141. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is an item of memorabilia
associated with a sports hall-of-fame.
142. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is a philatelic item.
143. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is a photograph depicting
said preferred personality.

132
144. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is a photograph depicting a
sports personality.
145. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is a motion picture cel.
146. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is a limited edition
collectible item.
147. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein said base is a substantially utilitarian
item.
148. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 138, wherein both a fingerprint indicium of said
preferred personality and an autographic indicium of said
preferred personality are affixed to said base.
149. The improved collectible article as claimed in

133
claim 138, additionally comprising: a notarized statement
integrally affixed on said base as part of said body of
tangible material, said notarized statement comprising a
body of text certifying the authenticity of an indicium
created on said base by said preferred personality, and said
notarized statement further comprising a signature of a
notary public affixed to said base.
150. The improved collectible article as claimed in
claim 149, wherein said base is a photograph of a sports
personality, and wherein said sports personality is said
preferred personality.
151. A method of producing a collector-targeted
memorabilia article, said method comprising:
supplying an item for use as a base article;
causing a finger of a preferred personality to interact
with a fingerprint-forming substance and said base
article so as to create and to affix integrally a
genuine fingerprint on a predetermined surface area of
said base article;
using masking means to prevent any substantial amount of
said fingerprint-forming substance from affixing
integrally to a surface portion of said base article
outside of and adjacent to said predetermined surface
area;
creating and affixing said genuine fingerprint as a

134
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute; and
combining said genuine fingerprint and said base article
so as to produce an integrally unified body of
tangible material in the form of a product which is a
collector-targeted memorabilia article.
152. The method as claimed in claim 151, wherein said
finger is coated with said fingerprint-forming substance,
wherein said masking means comprises a mask having an
aperture with perimeter edging and a shape which are
substantially dimensionally equal to the perimeter edging
and the shape of said predetermined surface area, wherein
said mask is removably placed on said base article so as to
approximately align the perimeter edging of said
predetermined surface area, and wherein said finger is moved
to touch said predetermined surface area through said
aperture so as to deposit said fingerprint-forming substance
on said predetermined surface area and so as to create and
affix said genuine fingerprint.
153. The method as claimed in claim 152, wherein the
shape of said aperture substantially symbolizes a life
aspect of said preferred personality.
154. The method as claimed in claim 151, said method
further comprising:
affixing limited edition markings integrally to said base
article.

135
155. The method as claimed in claim 151, said method
further comprising:
affixing an authentication statement integrally to said
base article,
said authentication statement including: wording to
certify the genuineness of said genuine fingerprint,
and a signature of a person who certifies to the truth
of the contents of said authentication statement; and
affixing notarial confirmation text integrally to said
base article,
said notarial confirmation text including: wording which
substantiates that said person who certifies to the
truth of the contents of said authentication statement
did so certify in the presence of a notary public.
156. The method as claimed in claim 151, said method
further comprising:
creating an additional integral collectible attractiveness
attribute which is a genuine autograph of said
preferred personality, a facsimile fingerprint of
said preferred personality, or a facsimile autograph
of said preferred personality, and
affixing said additional integral collectible
attractiveness attribute to said base article.
157. The method as claimed in claim 156, wherein said
preferred personality is a professional athlete, wherein
said base article is a photograph depicting said preferred
personality wearing sports clothing, wherein said photograph
includes a defined and prepared surface area for receiving a

136
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute, wherein said additional integral
collectible attractiveness attribute is a genuine autograph
of said preferred personality, and wherein the affixing of
said additional integral collectible attractiveness
attribute is executed on said defined and prepared surface
area.
158. A product of the method as claimed in claim 151,
said product comprising: said integally unified body of
tangible material in the form of a product which is a
collector-targeted memorabilia article.
159. A method of producing a memorabilia article, said
method comprising:
selecting a base article;
affixing a plurality of integral collectible
attractiveness attributes to said base article,
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes including a fingerprint of a preferred
personality,
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes further including an autograph of said
preferred personality,
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes further including a name of said preferred
personality,
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes further including a pictorial image of said
preferred personality, and
said plurality of integral collectible attractiveness

137
attributes further including limited edition markings;
thereby unifying integrally said plurality of integral
collectible attractiveness attributes and said base
article together as a unified body of tangible
material, and
producing said unified body of tangible material as a
product which is a memorabilia article.
160. The method as claimed in claim 159, wherein
the fingerprint of said preferred personality is a genuine
fingerprint, and wherein the autograph of said preferred
personality is a genuine autograph.
161. The method as claimed in claim 159, said method
further comprising:
affixing an authentication statement to said base article,
including in said authentication statement wording which
certifies that said fingerprint is a genuine
fingerprint personally created by said preferred
personality, and
including in said authentication statement a signature.
162. The method as claimed in claim 159, wherein said
fingerprint is a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality who is a hall-of-fame member and who has a
handwriting disability.
163. The method as claimed in claim 159, wherein said
preferred personality is a professional athlete, and wherein

138
said unified body of tangible material comprises a
memorabilia article which is a sports-related card.
164. The method as claimed in claim 159, wherein
the fingerprint of said preferred personality is a facsimile
fingerprint, and wherein the autograph of said preferred
personality is a facsimile autograph.
165. The method as claimed in claim 159, wherein said
preferred personality is an active professional athlete,
wherein said limited edition markings comprise the term
LIMITED EDITION, and wherein said limited edition markings
comprise numerical indicia identifying said unified body of
tangible material as being a specific number in a series of
memorabilia articles.
166. A product of the method as claimed in claim 159,
said product comprising: a memorabilia article in the form
of said unified body of tangible material.
167. A memorabilia article including at least one
integral collectible attractiveness attribute, said
memorabilia article comprising:
an integrally unified body of tangible material which
comprises an item,
said item qualifying as at least one kind in the group of
kinds consisting of: the kind of item which is a
a sports-related card, the kind of item which
is a trading card, the kind of item which is a sports

139
card, the kind of item which is a nonsports card,
the kind of item which is a milkcap, the kind of
item which is a slammer, the kind of item which is
a comicbook, and the kind of item which is a
sports-related ball; and
an integral collectible attractiveness attribute set which
is comprised by said integrally unified body of
tangible material,
said integral collectible attractiveness attribute set
including at least one integral collectible
attractiveness attribute, and
said integral collectible attractiveness attribute set
qualifying as at least one kind in the group of kinds
consisting of: the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a
fingerprint having a shape symbolizing a life aspect of
a preferred personality; the kind of integral
collectible attractiveness attribute set which
comprises a fingerprint of a preferred personality and
a borderline substantially along the perimeter of the
fingerprint; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a
fingerprint of a preferred personality and limited
edition markings; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a
fingerprint of a preferred personality and a hologram;
the kind of integral collectible attractiveness
attribute set which comprises a genuine fingerprint of
a preferred personality and an authentication statement
certifying the genuineness of the genuine fingerprint;
the kind of integral collectible attractiveness
attribute set which comprises a genuine fingerprint
of a preferred personality and a genuine autograph of a

140
preferred personality; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a genuine
fingerprint of a preferred personality and a facsimile
fingerprint of the preferred personality; the kind of
integral collectible attractiveness attribute set which
comprises a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality and a facsimile autograph of the
preferred personality; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a genuine
autograph of a preferred personality, a signed
authentication statement certifying the genuineness of
the genuine autograph, notarial confirmation text, a
pictorial image of the preferred personality, and
limited edition markings; the kind of integral
collectible attractiveness attribute set which
comprises a genuine autograph of a preferred
personality and a facsimile fingerprint of the
preferred personality; the kind of integral collectible
attractiveness attribute set which comprises a genuine
autograph of a preferred personality, a name of the
geographic location where the genuine autograph was
created, a date, a signature of a person who witnessed
the creation of the genuine autograph and who is a
notary public, and limited edition markings; the kind
of integral collectible attractiveness attribute
set which comprises a facsimile fingerprint of
a preferred personality and a facsimile autograph of
the preferred personality; and the kind of integral
collectible attractiveness attribute set which
comprises a facsimile fingerprint of a preferred
personality, a pictorial image of the preferred
personality, and limited edition markings.

141
168. The memorabilia article including at least one
integral collectible attractiveness attribute as claimed in
claim 167, wherein said item is a sports-related ball, and
wherein said integral collectible attractiveness attribute
set comprises a fingerprint of a preferred personality, an
autograph of the preferred personality, limited edition
markings, and a hologram.
169. The memorabilia article including at least one
integral collectible attractiveness attribute as claimed in
claim 167, wherein said item is a sports-related card, and
wherein said integral collectible attractiveness attribute
set comprises a fingerprint of a preferred personality, a
pictorial image of the preferred personality, limited
edition markings, and additional matter wwhich is organic
matter containing genetic information from and about the
biotic body of the preferred personality, said matter also
being affixed to the base article as an integral collectible
attractiveness attribute component of the attribute set
comprised by the unified body of tangible material.
170. The memorabilia article including at least one
integral collectible attractiveness attribute as claimed in
claim 167, wherein said item is a sports-related card, and
wherein said integral collectible attractiveness attribute
set comprises a facsimile fingerprint of a preferred
personality, a facsimile autograph of the preferred
personality, a pictorial image of the preferred personality,
a print-lettered name of the preferred personality, and
limited edition markings.

142
171. In a method of producing a memorabilia article
comprised of a unified body of tangible material, the steps
comprising:
selecting an item from a group of items; said group of
items consisting of: pre-existing memorabilia items,
non-collector-targeted utilitarian items, sports
equipment items, sports-related items which are
collectible, items intentionally manufactured for use
as base articles for collector-targeted memorabilia
articles, tangible works of art, collector plates,
lithographic prints, original works of art, original
paintings, original drawings, an item of entertainment
memorabilia, trading cards, a hall-of-fame memorabilia
items, milkcaps, slammers, discs which are collectible,
philatelic items, figurines, bound publications,
comicbooks, a comicbook-related works of art, and index
cards;
affixing to said base article a genuine fingerprint
created by a preferred presonality and a genuine
autograph created by said preferred personality as
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute means for enhancing and/or
creating collectible attractiveness to memorabilia
collectors; and
additionally affixing to said base article: limited

143
edition markings, and a pictorial image of said
preferred personality.
172. The method as claimed in claim 171, wherein said
method further comprises:
selecting at least a second integral collectible
attribute from a group of integral collectible attributes
and affixing said at least second to said base so that said
second attribute becomes an integral part of said
unified body of tangible material and functions as
an integral collectible attractiveness attribute means for
creating and/or enhancing attractiveness of the article to
memorabilia collectors; said group of integral collectible
attributes being comprised of: a genuine autograph created
by said perferred personality, a textual authentication
attribute, a statement having authentication wording,
notarial confirmation text, a witness signature, a notary
public signature, a date, a geographic location, a hologram,
an anti-counterfeiting marking, a name of said preferred
personality, and a like attribute, and
affixing said at least second attribute to said base
article as an integral collectible attractiveness attribute
means.

144
173. The method as claimed in claim 172, wherein the method
further comprises:
affixing at least four of said integral collectible
attractiveness attributes to said base article, said at
least four attributes including notarial confirmation text
and limited edition markings.
174. The method as claimed in claim 173, wherein the method
further comprises:
selecting as said preferred personality an
entertainment personality or a sports-related personality,
and
affixing to said base article a pictorial image of said
preferred personality created on the date of the creating
and affixing of said genuine fingerprint.
175. The method as claimed in claim 173, wherein said base
article selected is a trading card.
176. The method as claimed in claim 1755, wherein said base
article is a card.

145
177. The method as claimed in claim 172, wherein said
preferred personality is a writing-disable preferred
personality.
178. The method as claimed in claim 177, wherein said
preferred personality is a sports hall-of-fame member.
179. The method as claimed in claim 178, wherein said base
article is an index card.
180. The method as claimed in claim 172, wherein said
preferred personality is a notable academic personality.
181. The product of the method as claimed in claim 171,
said product being the body of unified tangible material
which is a memorabilia article.
182. The product of the method as claimed in claim 172,
said product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.

146
183. The product of the method as claimed in claim 173,
said product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.
184. The product of the method as claimed in claim 174,
said product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.
185. The product of the method as claimed in claim 177,
said product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.
186. The product of the method as claimed in claim 179,
said product being the body of unified tangible material
comprising said memorabilia article.
187. A memorabilia article comprising:
a genuine fingerprint of a preferred personality affixed to
a base article as an integral collectible attractiveness
attribute means for creating and/or enhancing attractiveness
of the article to memorabilia collectors.

147
188. The memorabilia article of claim 187 further
comprising a genuine autograph of said preferred personality
and at least five additional integral collectible
attractiveness attributes, including notarial confirmation
text.
189. The memorabilia article of claim 188 further
comprising a substantially utilitarian item as its base
article and having an association with promotional packaging
in which the memorabilia article is being merchandise, said
promotional packaging including an imitation fingerprint and
a preferred personality representation imprinted thereon.
190. A memorabilia article comprising a base article which
is a trading card, a genuine signature of a preferred
personality, limited edition marking, a witness-signed
authentication statement, and notarial confirmation text.
191. In a method of producing a memorabilia article
comprised of a unified body of tangible material, the steps
comprising:
(a) selecting an item from a group of items and using
said item as a base article of said unified body of tangible
material; said item having at least one surface; said group

148
of items consisting of: a pre-existing memorabilia item,
utilitarian item, a sporting equipment item, a sports-
related item which is collectible, an item intentionally
manufactured for use as a base article
in an embodiment of this invention, a substantially
three-dimensional item which is collectible, a substantially
flat item which is collectible, a tangible work of art, a
collector's plate, a lithographic print, an original work of
art, an original painting, an original drawing, a limited
edition work of art, a limited edition collectible ceramic
item, a photograph, a black & white photograph, a color
photograph, a limited edition photographic work, a
promotional photograph, an item of entertainment
memorabilia, a poster which is collectible, a motion picture
lobby card, a motion picture cel, a trading card, a sheet of
trading cards, a hall-of-fame memorabilia item, a milkcap, a
slammer, a disc which is collectible, a philatelic item, a
figurine, a bound publication, a first edition book, a
comicbook, a comicbook-related work of art, a fanzine, an
animation cel, a pennant, a 3-by-5-inch index card, and a
collectible political item;
(b) selecting a preferred personality from a group of
preferred personalities, said group of preferred
personalities consisting of: active professional athlete, a
retired professional athletes, and public figure
personalities; and

149
(c) affixing to said base article a genuine fingerprint
created by said preferred presonality as a preferred-
personality-created integral collectible attractiveness
attribute means for enhancing and/or creating collectible
attractiveness of the resultant body of unified tangible
material (which is a collector-targeted memorabilia article)
to memorabilia collectors.
192. The method as claimed in claim 191, wherein said
method further comprises:
selecting at least a second integral collectible
attribute from a group of integral collectible attributes
and affixing said at least second to said base so that said
second attribute becomes an integral part of said
unified body of tangible material and functions as
an integral collectible attractiveness attribute means for
creating and/or enhancing attractiveness of the article to
memorabilia collectors; said group of integral collectible
attributes being comprised of: a genuine autograph created
by said perferred personality, a textual authentication
attribute, a statement having authentication wording,
notarial confirmation text, a witness signature, a notary
public signature, a date, a geographic location, a hologram,
an anti-counterfeiting marking, a name of said preferred
personality, and a like attribute, and

150
affixing said at least second attribute to said base
article as an integral collectible attractiveness attribute
means.
193. The method as claimed in claim 192, wherein the method
further comprises:
affixing at least four of said integral collectible
attractiveness attributes to said base article, said at
least four attributes including notarial confirmation text
and limited edition markings.
194. The method as claimed in claim 193, wherein the method
further comprises:
selecting as said preferred personality an
entertainment personality or a sports-related personality,
and
affixing to said base article a pictorial image of said
preferred personality created on the date of the creating
and affixing of said genuine fingerprint.
195. The method as claimed in claim 193, wherein said base
article selected is a trading card.

151
196. The method as claimed in claim 195, wherein said base
article is a nonsports trading card.
197. The method as claimed in claim 192, wherein said
preferred personality is a writing-disable preferred
personality.
198. The method as claimed in claim 197, wherein said
preferred personality is a sports hall-of-fame member.
199. The method as claimed in claim 198, wherein said base
article is an index card.
200. The method as claimed in claim 192, wherein said
preferred personality is a notable academic personality.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


~- 21 ~501 7 -- 1
Patent Application
of
Frederick C. Schlauch
for
M~Mo~RILIA ARTICLES
HAVING
INTEGRAL COLLECTIBLE ATTRA~lv~N~SS ATTRIBUTES
FIELD OF THE lNv~.lION
This invention relates to the field of memorabilia
articles and, more particularly, to articles intentionally
created as collector-targeted memorabilia articles
(including sports-related, nonsports-related and
limited edition memorabilia articles) bearing
preferred-personality-created attributes (including
genuine autographs), facsimile attributes (including
facsimile autographs), and other attributes incorporated as
integral (intrinsic) collectible attractiveness attribute
means for creating and/or enhancing attractiveness to
collectors of memorabilia articles.

2175017 2
BACRGROUND OF THE lNV~ lON
Intentional integral affixing of a
preferred-personality-created attribute to a base
article is widely recognized by memorabilia dealers
and collectors as a way to add collectible value to the
article. Such intentional affixing involves forming the
preferred-personality-created attribute as an integral
collectible attractiveness attribute means for creating
and/or enhancing attractiveness of the article to collectors
of memorabilia articles. Indicating or implying that the
article is of a limited edition production is widely
recognized by dealers and collectors as a way to further
increase collectible value of the article.
By merely forming and affixing a
preferred-personality-created attribute on a base
article of relatively insubstantial worth, a preferred
personality (a sports personality, an entertainment
personality, a political personality, or a like personality)
may transform the base article into a memorabilia article of
substantial value. In the present marketplace, the
predominant preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attribute is the genuine
autograph (an autograph personally created by a preferred
personality).

- 21~50t7 3
The genuine autograph of the memorabilia article
created to appeal to collectors is a collector-targeted
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute. The genuine autograph of the
collector-targeted memorabilia article should not be
confused with the non-collector-targeted utilitarian
signature of a personal check, real-estate-transfer
document, employment contract, or like instrument created
for a utilitarian purpose without intent to create
attractiveness to collectors. Likewise, no other
collector-targeted preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attribute should be regarded as
synonymous with any indicium or marking substantially
created for a non-collector-oriented utilitarian use.
In the current marketplace, collectors are offered
genuinely autographed memorabilia articles encompassing a
considerable diversity of base articles, including: items
originally manufactured substantially to appeal to
collectors (for example, trading cards, fine art
lithographic prints, hall-of-fame memorabilia items, and
commemorative philatelic items); items originally
manufactured as sporting equipment (for example, baseballs,
baseball bats, footballs, basketballs, hockey pucks, and
sports uniforms); and items originally manufactured for

2115017 - 4
non-collector-targeted and substantially utilitarian
purposes (for example, 3-by-5 inch index cards and general
news periodicals).
Thus, collectors are given a very diverse
assortment of kinds of base articles from which to choose
but are largely restricted to only one major kind of
preferred-personality-created attribute: the genuine
autograph. There is a need to give collectors greater
choice by providing at least a second major kind of
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute. The availability of a second
major kind of preferred-personality-created attribute would
make possible the manufacture of a significant diversity of
memorabilia articles heretofore unknown.
The background art encompasses affixing certain other
attributes to base articles. Among these attributes are
holograms, offset-printed identification number indicia, and
facsimile autographs. Such kinds of attributes are not
regarded as preferred-personality-created attributes and
generally do not bring as much collectible
attractiveness and collectible value to articles as
preferred-personality-created attributes.

21 750 1 7 - 5
The power of a preferred-personality-created attribute
to increase the value of a base article is typically
exponentially greater than that of a hologram or like
attribute not created by a preferred personality. For
example, the 15-cent high value (Beckett Baseball Card
Monthly, September 1994, page 58) of the hologram-bearing
1992 Upper Deck Extended Dave Winfield Baseball Card is
increased more than 100-fold to $19.00 (The Score
Board, Inc., Advertisement, Sports Collectors Digest,
9 September 1994, page 8) by merely affixing thereto a
preferred-personality-created attribute in the form of a
genuine autograph. This is a definitive example of the
failure of a hologram to bring to an article even one
percent of the value conferred by affixing a major
preferred-personality-created attribute.
One of the biggest problems faced by collectors is
determining whether or not the script-written name of a
preferred personality on an article is a genuine autograph.
The quantity of fraudulently autographed items in the
present marketplace is mindboggling. For example, a
television interview with a person who had been convicted of
selling items bearing counterfeit autographs revealed that
this one person had sold "more than 75,000 fake signatures"
(Zachary Reid, "A Closer Look: The Score Board Cracking Down
On Fake Autographs," Tuff Stuff, April 1993, pages 27-28).
The magnitude of the problem caused by items bearing bogus

21 7501 7 - 6
autographs has become so intolerable that legislation has
been initiated in a number of states to legally require a
letter of authenticity for each sale of an item bearing an
autograph (Scott Newman, "Faking The Romance: Fraud and
Conterfeiting. Few People In The Memorabilia Industry Want
To Talk About It. But That's The Only Way To Correct It,"
Tuff Stuff, February 1993, pages 116-118).
Fraudulent autographs are often produced by
counterfeiters intending to sell these imitations to
unsuspecting customers. This intentional counterfeiting for
illicit profit is not the only way through which bogus
autographs enter the memorabilia marketplace. Many sports
players are overwhelmed by requests for autographs from fans
and other collectors. To meet this heavy demand, a number
of players resort to using ghost writers, autopenning
machines and rubber stamps to affix imitation autographs to
items. Usually such player-authorized imitations are not
made with any intent by the players to deceive fans for
illicit profit. In fact, such imitation autographs are
normally distributed free to fans, at a financial cost to a
player or the player's team, resulting in a loss, not a
profit. Nevertheless, despite the goodwill intended by this
player-authorized creation of imitations, these fake
autographs are substantially just as bogus and worthless to
collectors as the fraudulent autographs made for illicit
profit by unauthorized counterfeiters.

- 2175017 - 7
Flooding the marketplace are sports-related autographed
articles that contain nothing incorporated as parts of the
articles to authenticate the genuineness of the autographs.
The average collector or investor is often left with no
meaningful basis on which to judge the authenticity of the
autograph on a purchased article other than the "good faith"
of the selling dealer in a marketplace where many dealers
have dubious reputations and where distrust abounds.
Collectors who invest such articles frequently find that
these cannot readily be resold to dealers because of the
nearly ever-present distrust of autographed items.
To overcome the widespread worries of investors and
other collectors about bogus autographs, a number of
memorabilia dealers and companies have produced devices and
systems to assure collectors of the genuineness of
autographs being offered. Most of the articles supposedly
authenticated under this background art involve "extrinsic
devices" (devices physically separate from the involved
memorabilia articles).
A particularly prevalent form of extrinsic device is
the certificate-of-authenticity (a certificate or letter
guaranteeing the authenticity of the involved autograph
and/or article). A certificate-of-authenticity may be
created before an autographed article is sold to a
collector, at the time the article is acquired by the

2175017
collector, or after the article has been acquired by the
collector. A certificate-of-authenticity may involve
hindsight "authentication" by a handwriting expert years
after the creation of an autograph. Such hindsight
"authentication," at best, reflects expert or
educated opinion and not witness-based authentication.
A certificate-of-authenticity may be notarized (Richard
Albersheim, "The Autograph Report: What's Selling And
Alternatives To Card Shows," Tuff Stuff, November 1993, page
139).
The limited value of a certificate-of-authenticity or
like device is well recognized by experts in the field of
sports memorabilia. Such certificates are too often of
little or no value in protecting collectors from con-artists
peddling fraudulently autographed items (Mike Breeden, Scott
Gregg, Michael Litos, Dennis Madigan, and Jim Warren II,
"Certificates Of Authenticity, Are Two Signatures Worth More
Than One?," Tuff Stuff, February 1994, page 162;
Jim Hawkins, "Eye Of The Hawk: Some Aren't Worth Paper
They're Printed On, Certificate Of Authenticity Only As Good
As Issuer's Reputation," Sports Collectors Digest, 21
October 1994, page 24; Terry Melia, "Finding The Comfort
Zone, Are Certificates Of Authenticity Worth Even The Pieces
Of Paper They're Printed On?," Encyclopedia of Sports
Memorabilia & Price Guide, December 1994/January 1995,
pages 8-10).

- 2175017
That the written contents of a
certificate-of-authenticity are not physically
integral with the autographed article being authenticated
allows easy disassociation of the critical authentication
data from the article. Such a certificate-of-authenticity
may become lost or become associated, by accident or
fraudulent action, with a bogusly autographed article.
The authentication system of Molee et al.
(U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,756) includes a kind of
certificate-of-authenticity. Molee et al. teach
affixing a first hologram with a unique code number to an
article and a second hologram with the same unique code
number to a certificate-of-authenticity. Molee et al.
further teach a registration "hotline" entity having a
master record or list containing the unique code number and
information on the article to which the number applies. The
system of Molee et al. further includes extrinsic means for
a purchaser to register the article by mail or telephone
with the entity. These extrinsic means allow a customer to
later confirm information about the article through a
registration "hotline."
The certificate-of-authenticity of Molee et al.
overcomes some of the problems inherent in other
certificates-of-authenticity of the background art.

-- 2175Q17 lo
However, Molee et al. fail to provide a less cumbersome way
to authenticate an autograph. In fact, Molee et al. add
cumbersomeness and remoteness to the authentication process
by introducing customer communication with a registration
"hotline" entity. If the entity eventually shuts down
its "hotline" or goes out-of-business, a customer may be
left with no way to gain access to the master record or
list. The system of Molee et al. is excessively dependent
on authentication means extrinsic from the article being
authenticated.
Although seemingly recognizing the integral
collectible enhancement power of the genuine autograph,
Molee et al. fail to present a second major kind of
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute.
The value of the hologram of Molee et al. is in its
function as an authentication device substantially dependent
on the continuing existence and availability of such
extrinsic devices as the certificate-of-authenticity and
master record or list.
Molee et al. teach away from comprehensively
self-authenticating memorabilia articles having integral
authentication attribute means for holding the detailed
(comprehensive) authentication data printed on their

2175017 11
certificate-of-authenticity and stored in their master
record or list.
The prior art clearly emphasizes the use of extrinsic
devices to authenticate the predominant kind of
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute (the genuine autograph).
The prior art shows the failure of those of ordinary
skill in the art to recognize the need for a non-
autographic, integral attribute having the potential to
function at, near or above the level of the genuine
autograph as a convenient, expeditious and economical
preferred-personality-created attribute means for making
articles substantially more attractive to memorabilia
collectors.
The prior art shows the failure of those of ordinary
skill in the art to recognize the need for a method of
producing a memorabilia article including two major kinds of
preferred-personality-created attributes (the genuine
autograph and a non-autographic attribute) capable of
synergistically functioning together as means for
substantially increasing attractiveness to memorabilia
collectors.

- 2175017
12
The prior art shows the failure of those of ordinary
skill in the art to recognize the need for a second major
kind of preferred-personality-created attribute capable of
fulfilling the role of a non-autographic memorial marking or
indicium having an appeal to memorabilia collectors
substantially greater than the appeal of a hologram or like
device.
The prior art shows the failure of those of ordinary
skill in the art to recognize the need for a method of
producing a comprehensively self-authenticating memorabilia
article having integral authentication attributes directly
providing detailed authentication data to a collector
viewing the article.
Some notable preferred personalities have significantly
reduced or substantially complete loss of ability to create
and affix a preferred-personality-created attribute in the
form of a legible and consistent handwritten autograph.
Such notable preferred personalities suffer from paralysis
of limbs, limitation of manual locomotion, blindness, and
other handicaps resulting from diabetes, strokes, severe
arthritis, disabling accidents, and like causes.
The problems resulting from writing-handicapped
preferred personalities being unable to meet the demands of
fans and other collectors for genuine autographs are well

- 2175017
_ 13
recognized by memorabilia experts (Mark A. Baker, Baseball
Autograph Handbook, First Edition, 1990; Mark A. Baker,
Baseball Autograph Handbook, Second Edition, 1991;
Scott Crowder, "In The World Of Sports," Autograph
Collector, October 1993, pages 58-59; Dave Miedema, "Up
Autograph Alley: Hall Of Famers Make Autograph News," Sports
Collectors Digest, 30 January 1987, pages 176, 184 & 192;
Dave Miedema, "Autographs: Unhealthy, Health Problems Limit
The Appearances Of Older Hall Of Famers," Baseball Cards,
October 1987, pages 26 & 28; Dave Miedema, "Autographs:
Regular Guys, These Hall Of Famers Are Pretty Good
About Their Autographs," Baseball Cards, November 1987,
pages 18 & 20).
Despite these well-known problems facing
writing-handicapped preferred personalities, those
of ordinary skill in the prior art have not offered
substantial remedial inventions.
The prior art shows the failure of those of
ordinary skill in the art to teach a major kind of
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute which may be conveniently created
and affixed by a handwriting-disabled preferred personality.

- 2t75017 ~ 14
Certain kinds of base articles have no surfaces of
sufficient size to allow a preferred personality, especially
one having a lengthy signature, to conveniently and legibly
affix normal renditions of his or her genuine autograph.
Golf balls and standard-sized milkcaps are examples of such
base articles having limited writing space. Furthermore,
collectors often favor the placement or restriction of a
genuine autograph or other attribute to a specific surface
region of an article (for example, collectors generally
desire that a preferred personality creating a
single-autograph baseball affix his or her autograph to the
"sweet spot" of the ball).
Therefore, a need clearly exists for a second major
kind of preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute that may be conveniently and
legibly affixed to base articles having limited surface
areas. And a need clearly exists for a method to restrict
the placement of a preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attribute to a predetermined
portion of a base article. The prior art demonstrates those
of ordinary skill in the art have failed to adequately
address these needs.

- 21 7501 1 --
_ 15
The prior art substantially limits
collector choice to only one major kind of
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute. And the background art
substantially limits collector choice to an availability of
comprehensive authentication devices that are extrinsic,
easily disassociated from memorablia articles, too
frequently dubious, often remote, and/or sometimes dependent
on an authentication entity remaining solvent in business.
Those of ordinary skill in the prior art have not
addressed the need for a second major kind of preferred-
personality-created integral collectible attractiveness
attribute suitable as a: (1) means for integrally creating
and/or enhancing collectible attractiveness of an article to
memorabilia collectors; (2) means for integrally and
synergistically interacting with a genuine autograph on an
article to enhance attractiveness of the article to
memorabilia collectors; (3) means for a handwriting-
disabled preferred personality to affix conveniently and
legibly to an article as an attribute attractive to
memorabilia collectors; (4) means for a preferred
personality to affix conveniently and legibly, as an
attribute attractive to memorabilia collectors, to an
article lacking a surface region sufficient for the
placement of a normal genuine autograph; and (5) means for
a preferred personality to affix and substantially cover a

- 2115017 - 16
predetermined, discretely-bounded surface area of an article
as a personally created marking attractive to memorabilia
collectors.
Those of ordinary skill in the prior art have
also substantially failed to address the need for a
memorabilia-collector-targeted integral comprehensive
authentication attribute as a means for integrally
and comprehensively authenticating one or more
preferred-personality-created attributes on an
intentionally-created memorabilia article so as to
make the article more appealing to memorabilia collectors.
This failure of those of ordinary skill in the prior art has
resulted in the substantial lack of a diversity of
collector-targeted, comprehensively self-authenticating
memorabilia articles in the marketplace.
The present invention overcomes the
above-described deficiencies of the prior art and
fulfills the above-described needs not addressed by those
of ordinary skill in the prior art.

2175017
_ 17
OBJECTS OF THE lNV~.~lON
One object of the present invention is to provide a
second major kind of preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute as a
preferred-personality-created attribute means for
intentionally creating and/or enhancing attractiveness of an
article to memorabilia collectors.
Another object is to provide embodiments of
collector-targeted memorabilia articles each of which
comprises both the genuine autograph and the second major
kind of preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute, allowing these two attributes to
synergistically interact with each other to enhance
attractiveness of the article to memorabilia collectors.
A further object is to provide the second major kind of
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute as an integral attribute capable of
fulfilling the role of a non-autographic memorial marking or
indicium having an appeal to memorabilia collectors
substantially greater than the appeal of a hologram
or like device affixed merely as an authentication or

- 2175317
18
anti-counterfeiting feature.
Another object is to provide collector-targeted
comprehensively self-authenticating memorabilia articles
having integral authentication attributes directly providing
detailed authentication data to collectors viewing the
articles.
Still another object is to provide intrinsic and
comprehensive authentication attributes so integrally
affixed as parts of the single unified body of tangible
material comprising a memorabilia article that these
attributes cannot readily be accidentally or intentionally
disassociated from the article.
Yet another object is to provide intrinsic and
comprehensive authentication attributes that are of
sufficient scope to bring the persons certifying the
authenticity of a preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attribute on a memorabilia
article substantially under laws relating to oaths,
notarizations and the like.
Still another object is to provide comprehensive
authentication without the problems inherent in an
authentication system excessively dependent on the survival

21 7501 7
19
-
of a registration "hotline" subject to business conditions
and decisions causing registration operations to cease.
Yet another object is to provide a major
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute which may be conveniently, legibly
and consistently created and affixed by handwriting-disabled
preferred personalities.
A still further object is to provide a method for a
preferred personality to affix and substantially cover a
predetermined, discretely-bounded section of a surface of an
article as a personally created marking attractive to
memorabilia collectors.
And a yet further object is to provide collectors with
a wide diversity of previously unavailable llmited edition
memorabilia articles encompassing a variety of integral
collectible attractiveness attributes.

2175017
_
SUMMARY OF THE lNV ~ ION
According to the present invention, the foregoing and
other objects and advantages are attained by the method of
this invention producing a new selection of integral
collectible attractiveness attributes for use on a
large variety of individual base articles so as to allow
the creation of a great diversity of new kinds of
collector-targeted memorabilia articles.
In accordance with aspects of the method of this
invention, an integral collectible attractiveness attribute
set is affixed to a selected base article to enhance and/or
create attractiveness to memorabilia collectors. This
attribute set minimally comprises a requisite integral
collectible attractiveness attribute of a selected preferred
personality in the form of: a genuine autograph personally
created by the preferred personality, a genuine fingerprint
personally created by the preferred personality, or a
facsimile fingerprint of the preferred personality.
Each integral collectible attractiveness attribute
affixed to an article is a member of the integral
collectible attractiveness attribute set of the article.
Each memorabilia article created within the scope of the

2175017 - 21
invention comprises an integral collectible attractiveness
attribute set minimally including a genuine fingerprint, a
genuine autograph and at least one additional attribute, or
a facsimile fingerprint.
The selected preferred personality is an active
professional athlete, a retired professional athlete, a
sports hall-of-fame member, a notable amateur athlete, a
notable sports-related personality, an entertainment
personality, a mass-media personality, a notable academic
personality, a notable author, a notable political
personality, a heroic personality, a public figure, a famous
personality, a comicbook-related personality, an artistic
personality, or a like personality.
The base article may be an item originally manufactured
for a substantially non-collector-targeted utilitarian
purpose, an item originally manufactured as an item of
sporting equipment, an item originally created as a
memorabilia item bearing features intended to be attractive
to memorabilia collectors, or an item originally created to
serve as a base article of an embodiment of the present
invention. The base article may be related or unrelated to
a sport. In its pre-existing state, the base article may be
with or without collectible value and/or attractiveness to
memorabilia collectors.

2175017
22
In accordance with further aspects of the
method of this invention, if the requisite
integral collectible attractiveness attribute of the
selected preferred personality being affixed to the base
article comprises a genuine fingerprint, a finger of the
preferred personality touches a surface during the formation
of the genuine fingerprint. One or more fingerprint-forming
substances are interfaced with the finger and surface during
the touching so as to transfer detailed imaging of skin
patterns of the finger to the surface.
The genuine fingerprint may be formed with or without
use of a removable mask. A mask having an aperture of a
predetermined shape and predetermined size may be
temporarily placed on the base article so as to restrict the
formation of the genuine fingerprint to a predetermined
surface area of the article substantially equivalent in
shape and size to the aperture. Excess fingerprint-forming
substance(s) will be kept off adjacent surface areas of the
base article by the presence of mask material surrounding
the predetermined surface area. The mask material functions
as a barrier to the extending of the fingerprint onto parts
of the base article where no fingerprinting is desired.
The predetermined shape of the aperture of the mask may
be substantially symmetrical or nonsymmetrical. The
predetermined shape of the aperture may be related to the

2175017 23
_
profession or another life aspect of the preferred
personality (for example, an entertainment personality who
is a movie star may wish to use a star-shaped aperture to
form his or her genuine fingerprint) or unrelated to any
such life aspect.
Regardless of the shape and size of the genuine
fingerprint, a borderline substantially delineating the
perimeter of the genuine fingerprint may be created on the
base article to more clearly define the bounds of the
fingerprint and to give the fingerprint specifically and the
article generally a neater appearance.
The method of the present invention allows a preferred
personality handicapped by a writing disability to
conveniently, legibly and consistently create and affix a
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute in the form of a genuine
fingerprint.
In accordance with still further aspects of the
method of this invention, one or more authentication
attributes may be affixed to the base article to
authenticate a preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attribute (a genuine
autograph or a genuine fingerprint)-. An authentication
attribute is integrally affixed as a part of the article to

2175017 24
increase collector confidence in the genuineness of a
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute. Increase in collector confidence
is expected to increase attractiveness of the article to
collectors. Thus, an authentication attribute is also an
integral collectible attractiveness attribute. The affixing
of an authentication attribute to the base article is not
merely intended to authenticate: the affixing is intended
to increase attractiveness of the article to memorabilia
collectors.
The witness signature, the certifying nonwitness
signature, and the notary public signature of this
invention, are integral attributes. Each is affixed to the
base article as a part of a larger authentication attribute
(an authentication statement or notarial confirmation text),
as a part of another integral attribute, or as an individual
integral attribute. The ultimate intended use of each
signature attribute of this invention is to increase the
attractiveness of the article to memorabilia collectors.
Among the other integral collectible attractiveness
attributes of this invention that may be affixed to the base
article, either individually or as part of another
attribute, are: a name of the preferred personality;

-- 2175017 - 25
the date of the creating and affixing of at least one
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute; a name of a geographic
location where the creating and affixing of at least one
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute occurred; an anti-counterfeiting
marking; a hologram; a facsimile autograph of the preferred
personality; and organic matter containing genetic
information from the biotic body of the preferred
personality.
A pictorial image of the preferred personality is
another integral attribute that may be affixed to the base
article to increase attractiveness of the article to
memorabilia collectors.
The base article may have a defined and prepared
surface area created for affixing at least one
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute and/or other specific
integral collectible attractiveness attributes. The defined
and prepared surface area may be constructed to more readily
allow clearer and better affixing of one or more attributes
to the base article with intent to make the article more
attractive to memorabilia collectors.

- 2175017 - 26
In accordance with yet further aspects of this
invention, the memorabilia article may be one of a limited
production of substantially similar or related memorabilia
articles. With intent to increase intrinsic attractiveness
to collectors, this restricted production may be indicated
by affixing limited edition markings to the base article.
The memorabilia article of this invention may be
associated with promotional matter (including printed
merchandise packaging in which the article is enclosed).
The printed information can include pictorial
representations of the preferred personality, facsimile
autographs, facsimile fingerprints, limited edition
promotional indicia, and the like.
The method of the present invention encompasses
creation of a diversity of collector-targeted memorabilia
articles, utilizing different quantitative and qualitative
combinations of preferred-personality-created and/or other
integral collectible attractiveness attributes. A wide
diversity of kinds of base articles are used. The
method of the present invention encompasses creation of a
superior quality of collector-targeted memorabilia articles.
Created by this method are memorabilia articles bearing
combinations of preferred-personality-created integral
attributes and comprehensively self-authenticating features
not available to collectors under the prior art. The

~1 75û1 7 27
present invention makes available collector-targeted
memorabilia articles having intrinsic trustworthiness and
collectible attractiveness unknown to collectors under the
prior art.
The present invention includes all products of the
method of the invention. These products encompass all
collectible articles produced by the method of the
invent ion .

`- 2175Q17 - 28
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. lA is a view of the obverse side of an
embodiment of the invention having affixed to the base
article (a trading card) as integral collectible
attractiveness attributes: limited edition markings, a
genuine autograph and a genuine fingerprint created by a
preferred personality, and a name and pictorial image of the
preferred personality.
FIG. lB is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. lA.
FIG. 2A is a view of the obverse side of an
embodiment of the invention having affixed to the base
article (a trading card) as integral collectible
attractiveness attributes: limited edition markings,
a genuine fingerprint created by a preferred personality,
a borderline substantially delineating the perimeter of the
genuine fingerprint, a witness-signed authentication
statement, notarial confirmation text, and a pictorial image
of the preferred personality.
FIG. 2B is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. 2A.

2175017 29
FIG. 3A is a view of the obverse side of an
embodiment of the invention having affixed to the base
article (a milkcap) as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes: limited edition markings, a genuine fingerprint
of a preferred personality, and a name and pictorial image
of the preferred personality.
FIG. 3B is a view of the reverse side of an
embodiment of FIG. 3A
FIG. 4A is a view of the obverse side of an
embodiment of the invention having affixed to the base
article (a slammer) as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes: a genuine autograph and a genuine fingerprint
of a preferred personality, a witness-signed authentication
statement, notarial confirmation text, and a pictorial image
of the preferred personality.
FIG. 4B is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5A is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment
of the invention having affixed to the base article
(a philatelic item) as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes: a genuine autograph and a genuine fingerprint
of a preferred personality, a borderline substantially

2175017
_
delineating the perimeter of the genuine fingerprint, and a
name and pictorial image of the preferred personality; the
genuine autograph and genuine fingerprint are affixed within
a defined and prepared surface area created for affixing
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attributes and/or other integral
collectible attractiveness attributes.
FIG. 5B is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of the invention
having affixed to the base article (a three-dimensional
collectible item) as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes: limited edition markings, a genuine autograph
and a genuine fingerprint of a preferred personality, a
borderline substantially delineating the perimeter of the
genuine fingerprint, and a name of the preferred
personality.
FIG. 7A is a view of the obverse side of an
embodiment of the invention having affixed to the base
article ta tangible work of fine art) as integral
collectible attractiveness attributes: limited edition
markings, a genuine autograph and a genuine fingerprint of a
preferred personality, a witness-signed authentication
statement, and notarial confirmation text.

2~7501 7
_ 31
FIG. 7B is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8 is a view of an embodiment of the invention
having affixed to the base article (a bound publication) as
integral collectible attractiveness attributes: limited
edition markings, a genuine autograph and a genuine
fingerprint of a preferred personality, a borderline
delineating the perimeter of the genuine fingerprint, and an
authentication statement signed by a witness who is a notary
public.
FIG. 9 is a view of an embodiment of the invention
having affixed to the base article (a comicbook) as integral
collectible attractiveness attributes: a genuine autograph
and a genuine fingerprint of a preferred personality, a
borderline substantially delineating the perimeter of the
genuine fingerprint, and a witness-signed authentication
statement; these attributes are affixed within a defined
and prepared surface area created for affixing
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attributes and/or other integral collectible
attractiveness attributes.
FIG. lOA is a view of the obverse side of an

2175017 32
embodiment of the invention having affixed to the base
article (a tangible work of comicbook-related art) as
integral collectible attractiveness attributes: a genuine
fingerprint of a preferred personality, a facsimile
autograph of the preferred personality, an authentication
statement signed by a certifying person, notarial
confirmation text, and a hologram.
FIG. lOB is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. lOA.
FIG. llA is a view of the obverse side of an
embodiment of the invention having affixed to the base
article (a photograph) as integral collectible
attractiveness attributes: a genuine autograph and
a genuine fingerprint of a preferred personality,
a witness-signed authentication statement, and a pictorial
image of the preferred personality.
FIG. llB is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. llA.
FIG. 12A is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment
of the invention having affixed to the base article
(a photograph) as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes: limited edition markings, a genuine autograph
and a genuine fingerprint of a preferred personality, and a

- 2175017 -- 33
pictorial image of the preferred personality; the genuine
autograph and genuine fingerprint are affixed within a
defined and prepared surface area created for affixing
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attributes and/or other
integral collectible attractiveness attributes.
FIG. 12B is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. 12A.
FIG. 13A is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment
of the invention having affixed to the base article
(a collector plate) as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes: limited edition markings, a genuine autograph
and a genuine fingerprint of a preferred personality, a
facsimile autograph and a facsimile fingerprint of the
preferred personality, a witness-signed authentication
statement, and notarial confirmation text.
FIG. 13B is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. 13A.
FIG. 14A is a view of the obverse side of an
embodiment of the invention having affixed to the base
article (a non-collector-targeted utilitarian item) as
integral collectible attractiveness attributes: limited
edition markings, a genuine autograph and a genuine

21 7501 7 -
fingerprint of a preferred personality, a borderline
substantially delineating the perimeter of the genuine
fingerprint, a witness-signed authentication statement,
notarial confirmation text.
FIG. 14B is a view of the reverse side of the
embodiment of FIG. 14A.
FIG. 15 is a view of an embodiment of the invention
having affixed to the base article (an item of sporting
equipment) as integral preferred-personality-created
collectible attractiveness attributes: limited edition
markings, and a genuine autograph and a genuine fingerprint
of a preferred personality.
FIG. 16 is a view of an embodiment of the invention
comprising a collector-targeted memorabilia article (a golf
ball bearing a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality) and related promotional matter (merchandise
packaging).
FIG. 17 is a view of a mask used in the creation of
collector-targeted memorabilia articles bearing
preferred-personality-created genuine fingerprints of a
predetermined shape (substantially circular) and
predetermined size.

-- 2175017 --
FIG. 18 is a view of a mask used in the creation of
collector-targeted memorabilia articles bearing
preferred-personality-created genuine fingerprints of a
predetermined shape (substantially heart-shaped) and
predetermined size.
FIG. 19 is a view of a mask used in the creation of
collector-targeted memorabilia articles bearing
preferred-personality-created genuine fingerprints of a
predetermined shape (substantially football-shaped) and
predetermined size.
FIG. 20 is a view of a mask used in the creation of
collector-targeted memorabilia articles bearing
preferred-personality-created genuine fingerprints of a
predetermined shape (substantially baseball-bat-shaped) and
predetermined size.
FIG. 21 is a view of a mask used in the creation of
collector-targeted memorabilia articles bearing
preferred-personality-created genuine fingerprints of a
predetermined shape (substantially star-shaped) and
predetermined size.
FIG. 22 is a view of a finger (coated with a
fingerprint-forming-substance) of a preferred
personality being withdrawn after touching a base

2175017 36
article through the aperture of a mask so as form a
fingerprint of a predetermined shape and predetermined
size as a preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attribute.

- 2175017 - 37
,
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMT~!T~T..C
100: a trading card (sports card) comprising the base
article of the embodiment of FIGS. lA and lB.
101: obverse side of base article 100.
102: reverse side of base article 100.
120: limited edition markings.
130: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
140: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 130.
152: a name of the preferred personality who created
genuine autograph 130 and genuine fingerprint 140.
193: a pictorial image of the preferred personality
who created genuine autograph 130 and genuine fingerprint
140.
200: a trading card (nonsports card) comprising the
base article of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

- ^ 2175017 - 38
201: obverse side of base article 200.
202: reverse side of base article 200.
220: limited edition markings.
240: a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality.
241: a borderline substantially delineating the
perimeter of genuine fingerprint 240.
250: a statement having authentication wording.
252: a name of the preferred personality who created
genuine fingerprint 240.
254: the date on which genuine fingerprint 240 was
created.
256: a name of the geographic
location at which genuine fingerprint 240 was
created.
260: a signature of a witness.

- 2175017 - 39
,
270: notarial confirmation text.
280: a signature of a notary public.
293: a pictorial image of the preferred personality
who created genuine fingerprint 240.
300: a milkcap comprising the base article of the
embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B.
301: obverse side of base article 300.
302: reverse side of base article 300.
320: limited edition markings.
340: a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality.
352: a name of the preferred personality who created
genuine fingerprint 340.
393: a pictorial image of the preferred personality
who created genuine fingerprint 340.
400: a slammer comprising the base article of the
embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

- 21 7501 7
_ 40
401: obverse side of base article 400.
402: reverse side of base article 400.
430: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
440: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine fingerprint 430.
450: a statement having authentication wording.
460: a signature of a witness.
470: notarial confirmation text.
480: a signature of a notary public.
493: a pictorial image of the preferred personality
who created genuine autograph 430 and genuine fingerprint
440.
500: a philatelic item (commemorative envelope)
comprising the base article of the embodiment of
FIGS. 5A and 5B.
501: obverse side of base article 500.

--~ 2175017 41
502: reverse side of base article 500:
510: a defined and prepared surface area created for
affixing preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attributes and/or other
integral collectible attractiveness attributes.
520: limited edition markings.
530: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
540: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 530.
541: a borderline substantially delineating the
perimeter of genuine fingerprint 540.
552: a name of the preferred personality who created
genuine autograph 530 and genuine fingerprint 540.
593: a pictorial image of the preferred personality
who created genuine autograph 530 and genuine fingerprint
540.
600: a three-dimensional figurine comprising the base
article of the embodiment of in FIG. 6.

- 2175017
42
_.
620: limited edition markings.
630: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
640: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 630.
641: a borderline substantially delineating the
perimeter of genuine fingerprint 640.
652: a name of the preferred personality who created
genuine autograph 630 and genuine fingerprint 640.
700: a tangible work of fine art (lithographic print)
comprising the base article of the embodiment of FIGS. 7A
and 7B.
701: obverse side of base article 700.
702: reverse side of base article 700.
720: limited edition markings.
730: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.

- 2 1 7501 7
_ 43
740: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 730.
750: a statement having authentication wording.
760: a signature of a witness.
770: notarial confirmation text.
780: a signature of a notary public.
800: a bound publication (book) comprising the base
article of the embodiment of FIG. 8.
820: limited edition markings.
830: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
840: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 830.
841: a borderline substantially delineating the
perimeter of genuine fingerprint 840.
850: a statement having authentication wording.
852: a name of the preferred personality who created

~- 2175017 - 44
,
genuine autograph 830 and genuine fingerprint 840.
860: a signature of a witness who is a notary public.
900: a comicbook comprising the base article of the
embodiment of FIG. 9.
910: a defined and prepared surface area created
for affixing preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attributes and/or other
integral collectible attractiveness attributes.
930: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
940: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 930.
941: a borderline substantially delineating the
perimeter of genuine fingerprint 940.
950: a statement having authentication wording.
960: a signature of a witness.
1000: a tangible work of comicbook-related art
comprising the base article of the embodiment of FIGS. lOA
and lOB.

- 2175Q17
1001: obverse side of base article 1000.
1002: reverse side of base article 1000.
1020: limited edition markings.
1039: facsimile autograph of a preferred personality.
1040: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality whose facsimile autograph 1039 is affixed to
base article 1000.
1050: a statement having authentication wording.
1065: a signature of a certifying person.
1070: notarial confirmation text.
1080: a signature of a notary public.
1099: a hologram.
1100: a photograph comprising the base article of the
embodiment of FIGS. llA and llB.
1101: obverse side of base article 1100.

21 7501 7 46
1102: reverse side of base article 1102.
1130: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
1140: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 1130.
1150: a statement having authentication wording.
1154: the date on which genuine autograph 1130 and
genuine fingerprint 1140 were created and affixed to base
article 1100.
1160: a signature of a witness.
1170: notarial confirmation text.
1180: a signature of a notary public.
1193: a pictorial image of the preferred personality
who created genuine autograph 1130 and genuine fingerprint
1140.
1200: a photograph comprising the base article of the
embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B.

- 21 75017
1201: obverse side of base article 1200.
1202: reverse side of base article 1200.
1210: a defined and prepared surface area created
for affixing preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attributes and/or other
integral collectible attractiveness attributes.
1220: limited edition markings.
1230: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
1240: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 1230.
1293: a pictorial image of the preferred personality
who created genuine autograph 1230 and genuine fingerprint
1240.
1300: a collector plate comprising the base article of
the embodiment of FIGS. 13A and 13B.
1301: obverse side of base article 1300.
1302: reverse side of base article 1300.

- 2t750t7
48
1320: limited edition markings.
1330: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
1339: a facsimile autograph of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 1330.
1340: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 1330.
1349: a facsimile fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 1349.
1350: a statement having authentication wording.
1360: a signature of a witness.
1370: notarial confirmation text.
1380: a signature of a notary public.
1400: a utilitarian item (index card) comprising the
base article of the embodiment of FIGS. 14A and 14B.
1401: obverse side of base article 1400.
1402: reverse side of base article 1400.

- 2175017
49
.,
1420: limited edition markings.
1430: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
1440: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 1430.
1450: a statement having authentication wording.
1452: a name of the preferred personality who created
genuine autograph 1430 and genuine fingerprint 1440.
1454: the date on which genuine autograph 1430 and
genuine fingerprint 1440 were created.
1456: a name of the geographic location at which
genuine autograph 1430 and genuine fingerprint 1440 were
created.
1460: a signature of a witness.
1470: notarial confirmation text.
1480: a signature of a notary public.

2t 7501 7
_ 50
1500: an item of sporting equipment (baseball)
comprising the base article of the embodiment of FIG. 15.
1520: limited edition markings.
1530: a genuine autograph of a preferred personality.
1540: a genuine fingerprint of the preferred
personality who created genuine autograph 1530.
1600: an item of sporting equipment (golf ball)
comprising the base article of the embodiment of FIG. 16.
1640: a genuine fingerprint of a preferred
personality.
1641: a borderline substantially following the
perimeter of genuine fingerprint 1640.
1685: merchandise packaging.
1686: limited edition promotional indicia on packaging
1685.
1687: imitation fingerprint on packaging 1685.

21750~7
_ 51
1688: a pictorial representation of a preferred
personality on packaging 1685.
1747: a substantially flat mask used in the creation
of a genuine fingerprint as a preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute of a
predetermined shape and predetermined size.
1748: an aperture of a predetermined shape
(substantially circular) and predetermined size.
1847: a substantially flat mask used in the creation
of a genuine fingerprint as a preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute of a
predetermined shape and predetermined size.
1848: an aperture of a predetermined shape
(substantially heart-shaped) and predetermined size.
1947: a substantially flat mask used in the creation
of a genuine fingerprint as a preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute of a
predetermined shape and predetermined size.
1948: an aperture of a predetermined shape
(substantially football-shaped) and predetermined size.

21 7501 7
2047: a substantially flat mask used in the creation
of a genuine fingerprint as a preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute of a
predetermined shape and predetermined size.
2048: an aperture of a predetermined shape
(substantially baseball-bat-shaped) and predetermined size.
2147: a substantially flat mask used in the creation
of a genuine fingerprint as a preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute of a
predetermined shape and predetermined size.
2148: an aperture of a predetermined shape
(substantially star-shaped) and predetermined size.
2200: an item of sporting equipment (golf ball)
comprising the base article of the embodiment of FIG. 22.
2240: a genuine fingerprint of a predetermined shape
and size formed by a preferred personality touching a
surface of base article 2200 with a finger, coated with a
fingerprint-forming substance, pressed through aperture 2248
of mask 2247.
2243: excess fingerprint-forming substance deposited
on mask 2247.

21 7501 7
_ 53
2244: fingerprint-forming substance (shown on a
finger of the preferred personality who created genuine
fingerprint 2240).
2245: inner (aperture-surrounding) edge of mask 2247.
2246: outer edge of mask 2247.
2247: a mask used in the creation of genuine
fingerprint 2240 as a preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attribute of a predetermined
shape and predetermined size.
2248: an aperture of a predetermined shape and
predetermined size.

2175017 54
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE lNv~ lON
Sixteen embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS.
lA and lB, FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIGS. 4A and
4B, FIGS. 5A & 5B, FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A and 7B, FIG. 8, FIG. 9,
FIGS. 10A and 10B, FIGS. llA and llB, FIGS. 12A and 12B,
FIGS. 13A and 13B, FIGS. 14A and 14B, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16.
Each of these 16 embodiments comprises a selected base
article and at least one attribute selected for affixing to
the base article as: a preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute in the form of
a genuine fingerprint; a preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute in the form of
a genuine autograph; or an integral collectible
attractiveness attribute in the form of a facsimile
fingerprint of a preferred personality. Every embodiment
within the scope of the present invention includes at least
one of these three integral attributes.
FIGS. lA and lB show an embodiment comprising base
article 100, which is a trading card. Base article 100 has
two sides, obverse side 101 and reverse side 102. Affixed
to base article 100 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 140, genuine autograph
130, name 152 of the preferred personality who created and

- 2175017 - 5s
affixed genuine fingerprint 140 and genuine autograph 130,
pictorial image 193 of the preferred personality, and
limited edition markings 120.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show an embodiment comprising base
article 200, which is a trading card. Base article 200 has
two sides, obverse side 201 and reverse side 202. Affixed
to base article 200 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 240, fingerprint
borderline 241, authentication statement 250 bearing witness
signature 260, preferred personality name 252, date 254,
geographic location name 256, pictorial image 293 of the
preferred personality who created genuine fingerprint 240,
and limited edition markings 220.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show an embodiment comprising base
article 300, which is a milkcap. Base article 300 has two
sides, obverse side 301 and reverse side 302. Affixed to
base article 300 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 340, name 352 of the
preferred personality who created genuine fingerprint 340,
pictorial image 393 of the preferred personality, and
limited edition markings 320.

- 2175017 - 56
FIGS. 4A and 4B show an embodiment comprising base
article 400, which is a slammer. Base article 400 has two
sides, obverse side 401 and reverse side 402. Affixed to
base article 400 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 440, genuine
autograph 430, authentication statement 450 bearing witness
signature 460, notarial confirmation text 470 bearing notary
public signature 480, and pictorial image 493 of the
preferred personality who created genuine fingerprint 440
and genuine autograph 430.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show an embodiment comprising base
article 500, which is a philatelic item (a commemorative
envelope). Base article 500 has two sides, obverse side 501
and reverse side 502. Incorporated in base article 500 is
defined and prepared surface 510. Affixed to base article
500 as integral collectible attractiveness attributes are:
genuine fingerprint 540, fingerprint borderline 541, genuine
autograph 530, name 552 of the preferred personality who
created genuine fingerprint 540 and genuine autograph 530,
pictorial image 593 of the preferred personality, and
limited edition markings.
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment comprising base article 600,
which is a three-dimensional figurine. Affixed to base
article 600 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 640, fingerprint

2175017
57
-
borderline 641, genuine autograph 630, name 652 of the
preferred personality who created genuine fingerprint 640
and autograph 630, and limited edition markings 620.
FIGS. 7A and 7B show an embodiment comprising base
article 700, which is a tangible work of fine art
(a lithographic print). Base article 700 has two sides,
obverse side 701 and reverse side 702. Affixed to base
article 700 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 740, genuine autograph
730, authentication statement 750 bearing witness signature
760, notarial confirmation text bearing notary public
signature 780, and limited edition markings 720.
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment comprising base article 800,
which is a bound publication (a book). Affixed to base
article 800 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 840, fingerprint
borderline 841, genuine autograph 830, authentication
statement 850 bearing signature 860 of a witness who is a
notary public, name 852 of the preferred personality who
created genuine fingerprint 840 and genuine autograph 830,
and limited edition markings 820.

~ 2175017
_ 58
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment comprising base article 900,
which is a comicbook. Incorporated in base article 900 is
defined and prepared surface 910. Affixed to base article
900 as integral collectible attractiveness attributes are:
genuine fingerprint 940, fingerprint borderline 941, genuine
autograph 930, and authentication statement 950 bearing
witness signature 960.
FIGS. lOA and lOB show an embodiment comprising base
article 1000, which is a tangible work of
comicbook-related art. Base article 1000 has two sides,
obverse side 1001 and reverse side 1002. Affixed to base
article 1000 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 1040, facsimile
autograph 1039, authentication statement 1050 bearing
certifying-person signature 1065, notarial confirmation text
1070 bearing notary public signature 1080, hologram 1099,
and limited edition markings 1020
FIGS. llA and llB show an embodiment comprising base
article 1100, which is a photograph. Base article 1100 has
two sides, obverse side 1101 and reverse side 1102. Affixed
to base article 1100 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 1140, genuine autograph
1130, authentication statement 1150 (including date 1154)
bearing witness signature 1160, notarial confirmation text
1170 bearing notary public signature 1180, and pictorial

21 7501 7
_ 59
image 1193 of the preferred personality who created genuine
fingerprint 1140 and genuine autograph 1130.
FIGS. 12A and 12B show an embodiment comprising base
article 1200, which is a photograph. Base article 1200 has
two sides, obverse side 1201 and reverse side 1202.
Incorporated in base article 1200 is defined and prepared
surface 1210. Affixed to base article 1200 as integral
collectible attractiveness attributes are: genuine
fingerprint 1240, genuine autograph 1230, pictorial image
1293 of the preferred personality who created genuine
fingerprint 1240 and autograph 1230, and limited edition
markings 1220.
FIGS. 13A and 13B show an embodiment comprising base
article 1300, which is a collector plate. Base article 1300
has two sides, obverse side 1301 and reverse side 1302.
Affixed to base article 1300 as integral collectible
attractiveness attributes are: genuine fingerprint 1340,
facsimile fingerprint 1349, genuine autograph 1330,
facsimile autograph 1339, authentication statement 1350
bearing witness signature 1360, notarial confirmation text
1370 bearing notary public signature 1380, and limited
edition markings 1320.
FIGS. 14A and 14B show an embodiment comprising base
article 1400, which is a non-collector-targeted utilitarian

- 2175017 --
_ 60
item (an index card). Base article 1400 has two sides,
obverse side 1401 and reverse side 1402. Affixed to base
article 1400 as integral collectible attractiveness
attributes are: genuine fingerprint 1440, genuine autograph
1430, authentication statement 1450 (including preferred
personality name 1452, date 1454, geographic location name
1456, and witness signature 1460), notarial confirmation
text 1470 bearing notary public signature 1480, and limited
edition markings 1420.
FIG. 15 shows an embodiment comprising base article
1500, which is an item of sporting equipment (a baseball).
Affixed to base article 1500 as integral collectible
attractiveness attributes are: genuine fingerprint 1540,
genuine autograph 1530, and limited edition markings 1520.
FIG. 16 shows an embodiment comprising base article
1600, an item of sporting equipment (a golf ball). Affixed
to base article 1600 are: genuine fingerprint 1640, and
fingerprint borderline 1641. Also shown in FIG. 16 is
related promotional matter in the form of merchandise
packaging 1685, which bears: limited edition promotional
indicia 1686, imitation fingerprint 1687, and preferred
personality representation 1685.
The sixteen embodiments described above are intended
only as illustrative examples and not as exhaustive

2175017
61
representations of the scope of the embodiments of the
present invention.
An embodiment of this invention comprises a base
article which is an item substantially qualifing as one or
more of the following kinds of items: a pre-existing
memorabilia item, a non-collector-targeted utilitarian item,
a sporting equipment item, a sports-related item which is
collectible, an item intentionally manufactured for use as a
base article in an embodiment of this invention, a
substantially three-dimensional item which is collectible, a
substantially flat item which is collectible, a tangible
work of art, a collector plate, a lithographic print, an
original work of art, an original painting, an original
drawing, a limited edition work of art, a limited edition
collectible ceramic item, a photograph, a black & white
photograph, a color photograph, a limited edition
photographic work, a promotional photograph, an item of
entertainment memorabilia, a poster which is collectible, a
motion picture lobby card, a motion picture cel, a trading
card, a sheet of trading cards, a hall-of-fame memorabilia
item, a milkcap, a slammer, a disc which is collectible, a
philatelic item, a figurine, a bound publication, a first
edition book, a comicbook, a comicbook-related work of art,
a fanzine, an animation cel, a pennant, a 3-by-5-inch index
card, and a collectible political item.

21 750t7
_ 62
A trading card may serve as a base article. A "trading
card" is a card of the type including sports and nonsports
cards generally defined by the trading card industry as
being a trading card. A trading card is defined as
belonging to a card type substantially not including
telecards, greeting cards, index cards, playing cards,
postcards, and the like.
Two kinds of trading cards are used as the base
articles for the embodiments of FIGS. lA and lB and FIGS. 2A
and 2B. Base article 100 is a sports card. A "sports card"
is: a kind of trading card encompassing subject matter
substantially relating to a sport, and/or a trading card
which is one card of a plurality of cards comprising a set
of trading cards substantially relating to one or more
sports.
More particularly, base article 100 is a baseball card.
A "baseball card" is: a sports card encompassing subject
matter substantially relating to the sport of baseball,
and/or a trading card which is one card of a plurality of
cards comprising a set of trading cards substantially
relating to the sport of baseball. Other sports cards
include basketball cards, football cards, hockey cards, and
the like.

- 2175017 - 63
Base article 200 is a nonsports card. A "nonsports
card" is: a kind of trading card encompassing subject
matter substantially not sports-related, and/or a trading
card which is one card of a plurality of cards comprising a
set of trading cards including cards substantially
relating to one or more topics which are primarily not
sports-centered. Nonsports cards are also known as "topical
cards."
The following are substantially flat items: base
article 100 of FIGS. lA and lB, base article 200 of FIGS. 2A
and 2B, base article 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, base article
500 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, base article 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B,
base article 1000 of FIGS. 10A and 10B, base article 1100 of
FIGS. llA and llB, base article 1200 of FIGS. 12A and 12B,
and base article 1400 of FIGS. 14A and 14B.
During the past several years there has been an
exponential growth in the collecting of substantially
disc-shaped items known as milkcaps and related slammers.
A trademarked kind of milkcap is a POG . Slammers are
generally larger, heavier and/or thicker than related
milkcaps. In addition to the milkcap (exemplified as base
article 300 of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B) and the
slammer (exemplified as base article 400 of FIGS. 4A and
4B), the scope of this invention and its embodiments
includes all other kinds of substantially

-- 2175017 64
disc-shaped items that are appropriate for use as base
articles.
A "non-collector-targeted utilitarian item" is a body
of tangible material substantially manufactured with little
or no intentional collectible value and with intent to
function in a non-collector-targeted utilitarian manner.
Non-collector-targeted utilitarian items, including plain
and ruled 3-by-5-inch index cards, have been used for
decades by movie stars and other famous persons as
vehicles on which their autographs may be formed and
attached for distribution to fans and autograph-seekers.
A non-collector-targeted utilitarian item such as an index
card (exemplified as base article 1400 of FIGS. 14A and 14B)
or other non-collector-targeted utilitarian item can serve
as the base article of an embodiment of this invention.
A sporting equipment item may be used as the base
article for an embodiment of this invention. A "sporting
equipment item" is a body of tangible material substantially
manufactured for use in the playing of a sport, and/or an
item manufactured so as to substantially resemble an item
for use in the playing of a sport.
Two kinds of sporting equipment items are used as the
base articles in the embodiments of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.
Base article 1500 is a baseball, a kind of sporting

21 7501 7 -- 65
equipment item. Base article 1600 is another kind of
sporting equipment item, a golf ball. A base article which
is another kind of sporting equipment item can be, for
example, a football, a basketball, a soccer ball, a hockey
puck, a tennis ball, a baseball bat, a hockey stick, a
tennis racket, a golf club, a baseball cap, a baseball
batting helmet, a baseball batting glove, a baseball mitt, a
baseball jersey, a baseball uniform, a football jersey, a
football helmet, a basketball jersey, a basketball uniform,
a soccer uniform, a hockey jersey, a hockey uniform, a
hockey helmet, a tennis shirt, a golf shirt, a boxing glove,
a pair of boxing trunks, a commemorative baseball, a
commemorative football, a commemorative baseball bat, a
commemorative item designed in the form of an item generally
used in the playing of a sport, a white-panelled football, a
white-panelled basketball, an item of facsimile sports
clothing, an item designed for the playing of a sport by
children, or a like item.
The term "preferred personality," as used in this
application, comprises any person who creates at least one
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute on a base article in the form of a
genuine fingerprint or genuine autograph, and/or who is
represented on a base article by an integral collectible
attractiveness attribute which is a facsimile fingerprint of
the person. A preferred personality is an individual who

--- 21750~7 66
is: an active professional athlete, a retired professional
athlete, a sports hall-of-fame member, a notable amateur
athlete, a notable sports-related personality, an
entertainment personality, a mass-media personality, a
notable academic personality, a notable author, a notable
political personality, a heroic personality, a public
figure, a famous personality, a comicbook-related
personality, an artistic personality and/or a like
personality.
An "integral collectible attractiveness attribute" is
an attribute affixed to a base article so as to enhance the
attractiveness of the article to memorabilia collectors and
the like. The one or more integral collectible attributes
affixed to the base article constitute the "integral
collectible attractiveness set" of the respective
memorabilia article.
A "non-collector-targeted utilitarian marking"
is a marking affixed to an item for a substantially
utilitarian purpose not encompassing any substantial intent
to make the item attractive to memorabilia collectors.
Non-collector-targeted utilitarian markings include, for
example: a signature affixed to a credit agreement for the
utilitarian purpose of obtaining credit; a fingerprint
placed on a registration card used by a law enforcement
agency for the utilitarian purpose of functioning as part of

~ - 21750~7 - 67
a criminal record data bank system; and a notarized body of
text included in a deed or like instrument for the
utilitarian purpose of facilitating transfer of a real
property title. The fingerprints, signatures and
other markings of Parliman (U.S. Pat. No. 1,206,362), Effrig
(U.S. Pat. No. 1,322,293), Jones (U.S. Pat. No. 1,374,208),
Voght (U.S. Pat. No. 1,380,506), Chadwick et al. (U.S. Pat.
No. 1,483,926), Stoddard (U.S. Pat. No. 1,499,955),
and Edwards (U.S. Pat. No. 1,560,047), are examples of
non-collector-targeted utilitarian markings.
An integral collectible attractiveness attribute and a
non-collector-targeted utilitarian marking are two clearly
different kinds of features, with each kind having a
distinct function or purpose.
The method of the present invention comprises affixing
at least one requisite attribute of a preferred personality
on a surface so as to incorporate this at least one
attribute as at least one substantially affixed feature of
the article and thereby as at least one part of the
unified body of tangible material comprising a
collector-targeted memorabilia article. This at least one
attribute is intentionally and integrally affixed as an
integral collectible attractiveness attribute means for
enhancing and/or creating attractiveness of the article to
memorabilia collectors.

- 2175017 68
The at least one requisite integral collectible
attractiveness attribute may be a genuine fingerprint of the
preferred personality. A genuine fingerprint may be created
by the preferred personality touching one of his or her
fingers to a surface of the base article and by having ink,
dye, pigmented materials, fingerprint-development chemicals
and/or other fingerprint-forming substances interact with
both the finger and the surface during the touching so as to
create and affix the genuine fingerprint.
Or the at least one requisite attribute may be a
genuine autograph of the preferred personality created by
the preferred personality using a writing device to transfer
ink or a like substance so as to form and affix the genuine
autograph as a part of the unified body of tangible material
comprising the collector-targeted memorablia article. The
writing device used to create a genuine autograph may be a
ballpoint pen, a fountain pen, an indelible marker, or any
other writing device that a preferred personality can
personally use to create a genuine autograph. Or the
preferred personality may create and affix a genuine
autograph by any other means appropriate for the creating
and affixing of a genuine autograph.
A genuine fingerprint may be formed with or without use
of a removable mask. A mask having an aperture of a

- 2175017 ~-
69
predetermined shape and predetermined size may be
temporarily placed on the base article so as to restrict the
formation of the genuine fingerprint to a predetermined
surface area of the article substantially equivalent in
shape and size to the aperture. Excess fingerprint-forming
substance(s) will be kept off adjacent surface areas of the
base article by the presence of mask material surrounding
the predetermined surface area, preventing the genuine
fingerprint from having unwanted coverage of parts of the
base article where no fingerprinting is desired.
The predetermined shape of the aperture of the mask may
be substantially symmetrical or nonsymmetrical. The
predetermined shape of the aperture may be related to the
profession or another life aspect of the preferred
personality (for example, an entertainment personality who
is a movie star may wish to use a star-shaped aperture to
form his or her genuine fingerprint) or unrelated to any
such aspect.
FIGS. 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, illustrate examples of
removable masks that may be used to create genuine
fingerprints of predetermined shapes and sizes with intent
to increase the attractiveness of the respective articles to
memorabilia collectors. Aperture 1748 of the mask shown in
FIG. 17 is designed to form a substantially circular-shaped
genuine fingerprint. Aperture 1848 of the mask shown in

- 2175017
FIG. 18 is designed to form a substantially heart-shaped
genuine fingerprint. Aperture 1948 of the mask shown
in FIG. 19 is designed to form a substantially
football-shaped genuine fingerprint. Aperture 2048 of the
mask shown in FIG. 20 is designed to form a substantially
baseball-bat-shaped genuine fingerprint. Aperture 2148 of
the mask shown in FIG. 20 is designed to form a
substantially star-shaped genuine fingerprint.
FIG. 22 shows removable mask 2247 temporarily in place
on base article 2200 (a golf ball) just after a preferred
personality pressed a finger through circular-shaped
aperture 2248 so as to form circular-shaped genuine
fingerprint 2240. The mask material between mask edges 2245
and 2246 prevents excess fingerprinting substance 2243 from
affixing to surface areas of base article 2200 where no
fingerprinting is desired.
Examples of mask-formed substantially circular-shaped
fingerprints include genuine fingerprint 340 of FIG. 3B,
genuine fingerprint 540 of FIG. 5A, genuine fingerprint 1040
of FIG. lOA, genuine fingerprint 1140 of FIG. llA, and
genuine fingerprint 1600 of FIG. 16. An example of a
mask-formed substantially star-shaped genuine fingerprint is
shown as genuine fingerprint 240 of FIG. 2A. An example of
a mask-formed substantially rocket-shaped genuine
fingerprint is shown as genuine fingerprint 940 of

2175017 71
FIG. 9. And an example of a mask-formed substantially
football-shaped genuine fingerprint is shown as genuine
fingerprint of FIG. 14A.
Regardless of the shape and size of the genuine
fingerprint, a borderline substantially delineating the
perimeter of the genuine fingerprint may be created on the
base article to more clearly define the bounds of the
fingerprint and to give the fingerprint specifically and the
article generally a neater appearance. Examples of
fingerprint borderlines include: borderline 241 of FIG. 2A,
borderline 541 of FIG. 5A, borderline 641 of FIG. 6,
borderline 841 of FIG. 8, borderline 941 of FIG. 9,
borderline 1441 of FIG. 14A, and borderline 1641 of FIG. 16.
If the preferred personality is handicapped by a
writing disability preventing ready creating and affixing of
a consistent and legible genuine autograph, the genuine
fingerprint serves as a means for the handwriting-disabled
preferred personality to affix conveniently and legibly a
major kind of preferred-personality-created integral
collectible attractiveness attribute to the base article.
A simple embodiment within the scope of the method of
the present invention is formed by a preferred personality
creating a genuine fingerprint as the only integral
collectible attractiveness attribute affixed to the base

2t 75017
_ 72
article. Each of the simplest embodiments having a genuine
autograph within the scope of this invention includes at
least one additional attribute within its integral
collectible attractiveness set.
The method of the present invention includes affixing a
statement having authentication wording to a base article to
authenticate the at least one preferred-personality-created
integral collectible attractiveness attribute as at least
one genuine creation affixed to the article by the preferred
personality. An authentication attribute is integrally
affixed as a part of the article to increase collector
confidence in the genuineness of the at least one
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute. Increase in collector confidence
is expected to increase attractiveness of the article to
collectors. Thus, an authentication attribute is also an
integral collectible attractiveness attribute. The affixing
of an authentication attribute to the base article is not
merely intended to authenticate: the affixing is intended
to increase attractiveness of the article to memorabilia
collectors.
Examples of authentication statements are:
authentication statement 250 of FIG. 2B, authentication
statement 450 of FIG. 4B, authentication statement 750 of
FIG. 7B, authentication statement 850 of FIG. 8,

- 21 7501 7 73
authentication statement 950 of FIG. 9, authentication
statement 1050 of FIG. 10A, authentication statement 1150 of
FIG. llB, authentication statement 1350 of FIG. 13B, and
authentication statement 1450 of FIG. 14B.
To further substantiate the credibility of the wording
in an authentication statement to memorabilia collectors,
another kind of textual authentication attribute may be
affixed to the base article: notarial confirmation text.
An authentication statement or notarial confirmation
text may be directly affixed to a base article by:
imprinting, silk-screen printing, rubber-stamping,
photo-offset printing, branding, embossing, handwriting,
heat-stamping, embroidering, and/or other affixing
procedures. Or an authentication statement or notarial
confirmation text may first be created on another body of
tangible material (such as a piece of paper or cloth) which
is later affixed to the base article.
Either separately or as parts of a larger
authentication attribute (an authentication statement or
notarial confirmation text), a witness signature, a
certifying nonwitness signature and/or a notary public
signature may be affixed to a base article.

- 2175017 ~- 74
Other integral collectible attractiveness attributes
of this invention that may be affixed to a base
article, either individually or as part of another
attribute, include: a name of the preferred
personality; the date of the creating and affixing of
a preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute; a name of a geographic
location in which the creating and affixing of the
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute occurred; an anti-counterfeiting
marking; a hologram; and a facsimile autograph of the
preferred personality.
Another integral collectible attractiveness attribute
is an attribute comprising organic matter containing genetic
information from the biotic body of a preferred personality
(hair, other body tissue, etc.). An organic matter
attribute functions as an attribute means for enhancing
attractiveness of an article to collectors desiring a
memorabilia article bearing such organic matter. An organic
matter attribute may be affixed to a base article as an
individual attribute or as a part of another integral
collectible attractiveness attribute.
A pictorial image of the preferred personality is
another integral attribute that may be affixed to a base

- 2175017 - 75
article to increase attractiveness of the article to
memorabilia collectors.
A base article may have a defined and prepared
surface area created for affixing at least one
preferred-personality-created integral collectible
attractiveness attribute and/or other specific
integral collectible attractiveness attributes. The defined
and prepared surface area may be constructed to more readily
allow clearer and more permanent affixing of one or more
attributes to the base article with intent to make the
article more attractive to memorabilia collectors.
In accordance with yet further aspects of this
invention, the memorabilia article may be one of a limited
production of substantially similar or related memorabilia
articles. With intent to increase intrinsic attractiveness
to collectors, this restricted production may be indicated
by affixing limited edition markings to the base article.
Limited edition markings may consist of numbers, letters,
words, symbols and/or indicia conveying an indication or
implication that the respective memorabilia article is a
unit of a limited edition production.
The memorabilia article of this invention may be
associated with promotional matter (including printed
merchandise packaging in which the article is enclosed).

21 750 t ? 76
The printed information may include pictorial
representations of the preferred personality, facsimile
autographs, facsimile fingerprints, limited edition
promotional indicia, and the like.
FIG. 16 shows memorabilia article 1600 (a golf ball
bearing genuine fingerprint 1640) and related promotional
matter (merchandise packaging 1605 bearing limited edition
indicia 1607, imitation fingerprint 1608, and preferred
personality representation 1609). The scope of the present
invention includes such promotional matter in which a
memorabilia article is packaged or with which a memorabilia
article is otherwise associated.

- 2175017 - 77
CONCLUSION, RANIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF THE lNv~ lON
The method of the present invention encompasses
creation of a diversity of collector-targeted memorabilia
articles, utilizing different quantitative and qualitative
combinations of integral collectible attractiveness
attributes. A wide diversity of kinds of items may
be used as base articles. The method of the
present invention allows creation of collector-targeted
memorabilia articles of superior quality. Among these
are memorabilia articles bearing combinations of
preferred-personality-created integral attributes and
comprehensively self-authenticating features not available
to collectors under the prior art. The present invention
makes available collector-targeted memorabilia articles
having intrinsic trustworthiness and collectible
attractiveness unknown to collectors under the prior art.
The present invention includes all products of the
method of the invention. These products encompass all
collectible articles produced by the method of the
invention.
While the above description of the present invention
contains many specificities, these should not be considered

- 2175017 - 78
~._
as limitations on the scope of the invention but rather as
exemplifications of some of the embodiments thereof. Many
other modifications and variations can be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention, and all
such modifications and variations are intended to be covered
by the appended claims.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Event History

Description Date
Inactive: Agents merged 2013-10-23
Application Not Reinstated by Deadline 2009-03-02
Inactive: Dead - No reply to s.30(2) Rules requisition 2009-03-02
Deemed Abandoned - Failure to Respond to Maintenance Fee Notice 2008-04-25
Inactive: Abandoned - No reply to s.30(2) Rules requisition 2008-02-29
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2007-08-30
Letter Sent 2007-04-23
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2007-03-23
Reinstatement Request Received 2007-03-23
Reinstatement Requirements Deemed Compliant for All Abandonment Reasons 2007-03-23
Reinstatement Requirements Deemed Compliant for All Abandonment Reasons 2007-03-23
Deemed Abandoned - Failure to Respond to Maintenance Fee Notice 2006-04-25
Inactive: Abandoned - No reply to s.30(2) Rules requisition 2006-03-23
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2005-09-23
Inactive: Application prosecuted on TS as of Log entry date 2003-05-23
Letter Sent 2003-05-23
Inactive: Status info is complete as of Log entry date 2003-05-23
Request for Examination Requirements Determined Compliant 2003-04-23
All Requirements for Examination Determined Compliant 2003-04-23
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 1996-10-27

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2008-04-25
2007-03-23
2006-04-25

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2007-03-23

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
MF (application, 2nd anniv.) - small 02 1998-04-27 1998-04-24
MF (application, 3rd anniv.) - small 03 1999-04-26 1999-04-23
MF (application, 4th anniv.) - small 04 2000-04-25 2000-04-25
MF (application, 5th anniv.) - small 05 2001-04-25 2001-04-24
MF (application, 6th anniv.) - small 06 2002-04-25 2002-04-22
Request for examination - small 2003-04-23
MF (application, 7th anniv.) - small 07 2003-04-25 2003-04-23
MF (application, 8th anniv.) - small 08 2004-04-26 2004-04-26
MF (application, 9th anniv.) - small 09 2005-04-25 2005-04-25
MF (application, 11th anniv.) - small 11 2007-04-25 2007-03-23
MF (application, 10th anniv.) - small 10 2006-04-25 2007-03-23
Reinstatement 2007-03-23
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
FREDERICK C. SCHLAUCH
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative drawing 1998-05-07 1 6
Description 1996-04-25 78 2,262
Claims 1996-04-25 73 2,152
Cover Page 1996-04-25 1 17
Abstract 1996-04-25 1 29
Drawings 1996-04-25 18 402
Reminder of maintenance fee due 1997-12-30 1 111
Reminder - Request for Examination 2002-12-30 1 113
Acknowledgement of Request for Examination 2003-05-23 1 174
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (Maintenance Fee) 2006-06-20 1 175
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (R30(2)) 2006-06-01 1 166
Notice of Reinstatement 2007-04-23 1 170
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (Maintenance Fee) 2008-06-23 1 173
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (R30(2)) 2008-05-26 1 165
Fees 2003-04-23 1 44
Fees 2000-04-25 1 60
Fees 2002-04-22 1 63
Fees 2001-04-24 1 58
Fees 1998-04-24 1 55
Fees 1999-04-23 1 61
Fees 2004-04-26 1 47
Fees 2005-04-25 1 43
Fees 2007-03-23 1 39