Tips For Collecting Sports Memorabilia

Collecting sports memorabilia can be a great hobby for collectors or just a great gift to buy for a friend, loved one or even yourself. Here are some tips & guidelines on what you should look for when you buy sports memorabilia and sports collectibles. The Basics:

A certified signature of a professional athlete identifies a piece of sports memorabilia. The signature can appear on a ball, jersey, card, photo, helmet, bat, glove or other sports related equipment.

It must come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) issued by a well-known, reliable and credible company in the sports memorabilia industry.

Whether in person, on the Internet or in a catalog, you should be able to see an image of the item before making a purchase.

Make sure that you are getting an actual "Hand Signed" or "Autographed" item; not just some reprint or copy of the signature.

Signed replicas and authentic sports items sold without signatures or COA are classified as "collectibles"

Check for a hologram or serial number to come with the item

Most reputable companies have a company representative witness the actual signing

Value of Sports Memorabilia

Sports memorabilia will most likely retain or increase in value base on several factors.

The popularity and talent of the athlete

The quantity of a particular item that is made available in the open market

If the player becomes deceased after you have purchased the item or if the player is already deceased

Players who inducted into the Hall of Fame or who have participated in events such as World Series, Super Bowl or Stanley Cup

The condition that you keep your item once you purchase it. Always try to keep signed items away from direct sunlight by using cases with UV Protection when available.

Follow these tips and guidelines and you'll be well on your way to acquiring an enviable collection..