Fast Five: Affordable ink you can land at The National this year

Fast Five is a quick list that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection or new focus -- five things that could be fun for a beginner or a new way to add something to your stash if you're a grizzled veteran.

This time? Five affordable autographs you can get at The National this year.

WHAT?
Frank Whaley, actor ($39 any item; $10 inscription)
There's only one inscription I'd add with an autograph for this veteran actor who will be signing at the show and that would be on a Pulp Fiction photo something like this one. And that inscription is "What?" -- never has a four-letter addition ever been a better buy. While I suspect he and others signing -- or show promotors -- will have photo options you should be able to buy, I'd choose my own destiny and find something like this. Sports fans might consider a Moonlight Graham photo of him from Field of Dreams or maybe one could consider something from The Doors where he played legendary guitarist Robby Kreiger. It's all about a cool item that can make the ink here and there's good potential with a long list of credits. Heck, at this price I'd try something for all three movies -- or maybe Career Opportunities. Frank Whaley signs on Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. (Times all subject to change.)

--

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

CANADA'S FINEST SLUGGER
Baseball Hall of Famer Larry Walker ($79.99 on cards -- excluding RCs which are $99.99)
Prices on Hall of Famers are steep at times for shows and, well, I'd typically just find them on a certified autograph if I wanted them bad enough but this 1995 Topps Stadium Club card -- and this comes with a caveat -- is a classic where I'd see if he signs. Why do I say that? Well, he does not sign the cover of a special Canadian issue of Sports Illustrated that uses this same photo. He will sign an interior spread of the magazine per his signing notes for the show. Why? Internet lore says he only signed one copy of the magazine for one of his daughters and wants it to be the only one. (Is that true? Somebody ask him!) He initially made my list since he has a price for cards -- something that a lot of players don't do -- that's a little cheaper than his base price for items ($99.99). I'd probably scour something from his Rockies years if he doesn't sign this as the RC uncharge is a little steep ... at least it's not the $895 that Joe Montana charges to sign a RC. (Really.) I'd find something that might showcase his auto well. I could see it on the left side here. His signature is nice but he tends to sign vertically on cards so they can sometimes look weird. Larry Walker signs on Thursday at 12:30.

--

YOU'RE KILLING ME, SMALLS!
Patrick Renna, actor The Sandlot ($49 and up)
A number of actors from The Sandlot have been kicking around The National making it their new playing, err signing, field for a few years now and this year's show is no different. He's easily the highest-profile from the ensemble. He's got a little more traditional menu of fees but you can get a standard kind of item still on the super-cheap compared to a lot of the names at the show -- and The Sandlot stuff made by Topps (above) has certified autos that sell really, really well. I'd probably go with a regular card or one of the two DVD cards made through the years. Maybe a lobby card or poster after that, though there are Funko Pop! toys, baseballs and other items out in the world, too. The most any item would cost with an inscription is $89. Patrick Renna signs Friday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

--

A SURPRISE SIGNER?
Julie McCullough, actress Growing Pains ($50 any item)
This was a surprise name to see here but there are a number of actors signing at the show and, well, a few of them help make up this list as they just don't have as much signed stuff as most athletes and cost far less, too. She's arguably best known for her spot as Julie Costello on that famous show but she has a number of TV roles over on IMDb that are a rundown of past hit TV series -- Who's The Boss?, Max Headroom, The Golden Girls, Beverly Hills 90210, Harry & The Hendersons, The Drew Carey Show and Pacific Blue. But before Growing Pains, she was a model with a number of high-profile credits that included a handful of Playboy appearances and covers. (All that allegedly ties into the end of her Growing Pains run.) One plus here? Her signature is literally an every-letter auto so a good item will look nice when signed.  Julie McCullough signs Friday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

--

THE ROOKIE!
Thomas Ian Anderson, actor Rookie Of The Year ($40 for photos, $50 any other item)
He's done a lot of appearances in recent years but this one-time Chicago Cubs phenom is also one where a cool item with an auto can be well worth the cost. Inscriptions aren't noted as a fee, so I'd perhaps ask if "Henry Rowengartner" can be added. I think specific movie photos, posters, lobby cards or DVD inserts are best here but a signed ball or Cubs item could be fun, too. Signed baseballs on eBay with the inscriptions carry about the same price up to over $100 asking ... so items are out there with some interest. Perhaps a unique still like this one could do well, too? Time to start hunting. Thomas Ian Anderson signs Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

--

Click this link to see everybody else you can get this year at The National.

What would you want to see in a future Fast Five? Let Buzz know on Twitter or email.

--

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com