Autographed Sports Memorabilia: Sentiments and Fraud

Autographed sports memorabilia can come in a variety of forms, each one representing a particular point in a sporting event. Anything you can see that is directly related to the sport and which can be carried out by hand from a venue, can be considered a memento. Just try not to grab anything that is not willingly handed out to you or you'll be in big trouble!

Sources of valuable sports memorabilia include the actual sporting venue, hobby shops, sports auctions, and online retailers. Real sports enthusiasts collect these items as keepsakes, a constant reminder of the part they played in that particular sporting event. Other more practical buyers grow their collections in hopes of someday selling them at a higher price.

Whatever your reasons are for getting into this hobby, it is important to know just what items to keep an eye out for to continuously increase your collection.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia: Different Sports, One Passion

Common memorabilia items include photos, jerseys, tickets and event programs. Some of these you can collect yourself by going to the actual sporting events, while others you can scour shops and online retail websites for to satisfy your cravings.

From the collector's standpoint, the value of such items can range from the deeply sentimental to the purely monetary, but when sold at sports auctions and through other retailing methods, any one of these can bring in thousands of dollars for its rarity and time value.

Sports items that belonged to a well-known athlete, or were part of a remarkable sports victory, would make far better investments especially when signed by the athlete himself and authenticated by experts. If you're investing on memorabilia as a business venture, it is far more important for you to watch out for fraudulent merchandise.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia and Fraud

The rule of thumb for all collectors is that, when a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Large amounts of dollars are lost to memorabilia frauds each year, and many fraudulent retailers are still at large. Your best defense against fraud is to get properly informed. Do your share of research to find out which companies are certified to distribute signed items from famous athletes and take the effort to ensure that's exactly where your memorabilia purchases originally came from.

Memorabilia items usually come with a documentation attesting to its authenticity. Legitimate memorabilia sellers have recently began adopting the hologram system of authentication pioneered by a major sports dealer, making it easier to protect yourself from purchasing fraudulent autographed sports memorabilia.

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Autographed Sports Memorabilia - Tips On Getting Started

So you want to start your autographed sports memorabilia collection, but have no idea how and where to start? This article will share a few tips with you to get you on the right track to becoming a smart memorabilia buyer.

When starting any type of collection, the first thing you need to do before you take that first step is to arm yourself with the appropriate devices to make each purchase worthwhile. Consider the amount of money you are willing to spend on this endeavor. Remember that scrimping on your buys may lead you to fraudulent transactions more times that you will ever care to admit in the future. Likewise, if you do not budget your money right, you'll end up impulsive buying items that are of very little value.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia is Serious Business

In any hobby that requires purchasing items from dealers and distributors, it pays to be properly informed. Before you decide on your first memorabilia item, sign up for an account in a forum where buyers and sellers can give you sound advice on what to buy and from whom to buy it. They should also be able to give you useful advice on how to spot fakes, and how to increase and maintain the value of your purchased item.

Communicating with sports fans who have been involved in this hobby for a long time will not only help you make the smartest choice in every purchase. This will also help you meet and keep in touch with people who would be most interested to buy from you if you should decide to sell your items.

Of course, you should also do your own research, just to authenticate or add to the information you will get from the forum. It will also do you good to make a list of the reputable dealers that come highly recommended, so that you can take note of them when you finally decide on your first memorabilia purchase.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia - Starting Small

Before you make your first buy, consider what you want to collect first. Professional collectors advise amateurs to start small and get a feel for the industry first before making bigger purchases. Perhaps you can start building a collection around your most favorite player first. When you have learned enough about the business, and have established connections with more reliable contacts, then you can start expanding to items associated to your favorite team, and eventually to your favorite sport in general.

Autographed sports memorabilia is an expensive investment, so you also have to make sure that they are cared for and kept well enough to maintain their pristine value.

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Autographed Sports Memorabilia and Its Place In Sports History

Nothing represents a man's love for sports better than a display case filled with autographed sports memorabilia. Whatever type of sporting event makes your heart spin through extremes of emotions, there is sure to be a valuable piece of it you can take home and keep in your special trove of memories, usually under lock and key.

While some may think that these items as mere luxurious expenses, and that one should love sports for the simple reason of loving it, enthusiasts will be quick to argue that indulging in these luxuries is a necessary part of preserving sports history.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia-Where It All Began

Collecting sporting mementos began in the early 20th century, when baseball first began to carve its niche as America's favorite pastime. Tobacco companies wasted no time in cashing in on this hype and began inserting baseball cards into their cigarette packs to increase their sales. Bubble gum companies caught on to the idea in the 1930s, and soon kids were caught knee-deep in completing their baseball card collections, with equally passionate adult sports fans not far behind.

The hobby soon grew into a full blown market of various sporting items, spanning all other types of sports. Everything with a team's logo in it is considered collectible merchandise and it was not rare to see hordes of enthusiasts flocking into hobby shops in their eagerness to get their piece of sports history. For them, these are not just mere items bearing their team's logo. It is a testament to the fact that they were there to witness and experience every thrilling event of a sporting victory.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia vs. Collectibles

With the slew of sports items popping up in shops and auctions each year, it soon became necessary to distinguish between signed memorabilia and mere collectibles. Although the two terms are usually used in place of the other, an important distinction lies in the fact that one of them is the real thing, and will collect more rarity time-value than the other.

The term 'collectible' is used for items that are mere replicas and are usually unsigned, or when signed is not authenticated. A memorabilia, on the other hand, is usually the actual thing used in the sport by a particular athlete, which usually bears his authenticated signature.

Investors who are into the hobby mainly for the monetary benefits often place their investments on autographed sports memorabilia from reputable sources, as this would most likely attract more passionate enthusiasts in sports auctions.

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Autographed Sports Memorabilia - Rare Items Vs Mass Market

Experts advice that not all autographed sports memorabilia make a sound investment. In fact, some items that are not even signed by an athlete may sell for more if auctioned right. Take for example what is now considered the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold in history: Babe Ruth's first jersey.

Babe Ruth was a well-known and well-loved baseball player in the 1920s, who broke a number of sports records during his career. The jersey that sold for $4.4 million was the first he ever wore when he transferred out of the Boston Red Sox to come and play for the New York Yankees.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia-Appraising Their Value

Some authentic signed items are just one of many similar pieces autographed by a marketable athlete at any given time, and may not be rare enough to shell out large amounts of money for. Sometimes, not even the most passionate memorabilia enthusiasts would show interest in this type of mass market collectible.

If you are a collector looking to sell your items in the future, you will do good to seek out investments that collect monetary value instead of dust. Find the rarest items out there: jerseys that were actually worn by players, gloves that actually made impact on flesh, balls, pucks and other sporting equipment that were actual part of the game. Any one of these will make a more valuable investment and a worthy addition to your memorabilia collection.

It is also a good idea to keep a record of when and how each item was obtained. If you can take a picture of yourself in the event where the item came from, or standing alongside the athlete who used to belong to the jersey, any one of these should serve as authentication enough that your item is the real thing. This will attract more bidders in sports auctions.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia-When and How To Sell

When you are planning to sell a valuable memorabilia, it helps to put it on display first where it's most likely to attract more bidders. This is an important aspect of selling that all memorabilia sellers should keep in mind. The Babe Ruth jersey was undoubtedly one of its kind, and used to be up on display at the legendary players birthplace. It now belongs to a collecting firm who happened to offer the highest bid on it-a bid that made history, just like the athlete who first owned the jersey.

It also helps to sell your items during the season for the sport it is associated with. Autographed sports memorabilia should also bear a level of rarity for it to be considered valuable enough to attract the most passionate high bidders in sports auctions.

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Autographed Sports Memorabilia - A Sense of Camaraderie and Loyalty

The continuously growing industry of autographed sports memorabilia serves as a testament to our undying love of sports. More than just a luxurious collection, collecting signed items from sporting events and famous athletes is a way for enthusiasts to feel more involved in their chosen sport and more attuned to the passion that they have for it.

The most passionate memorabilia collectors would feel no qualm at all about spending thousands of dollars each year on dozens of rare items to add to their collections. Whatever type of sport a man happens to be enthused about, there is sure to be every piece of it stored in his display case under lock and key. Some even value these items enough to get them insured. And if you want to annoy a collector out of his wits, touch an item from his collection with grubby hands and all hell will break lose.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia-Why So Serious?

Sports represent many things to many people, and collecting memorabilia items is a way of turning these sentimental feelings into something tangible. A collector can spend hours in front of his collection, mentally reliving a memory associated with each item. Even the conquest of acquiring these items can ignite a feeling of victory that makes a collector even more connected to his sport.

Part of what makes people so enamored in sports is the feeling of belongingness it gives. We all deal with unpleasant things at work and in the news everyday, all dealing with disharmony and corruption among people. Sports fans find solace from the stresses of reality by watching sports, where fraternity is respected, and loyalty and hard work actually pays off. The brotherhood extends outside of the sport itself when fans meet with each other to discuss the technicalities and other interesting details of the game.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia-More Than Just A Hobby

People watch sports for their own personal reasons. Some turn to it for a little inspiration, an assurance that there is still a place in this world where justice and fairness still dictates the rules of a game. Some people feel more alive after spending a couple of hours with the adrenaline-inducing actions on a sporting field. Still others watch for the sake of learning more and earning more through gambling.

Whatever their reasons are for indulging in sports and in autographed sports memorabilia, sports fans will always keep this industry alive with their enthusiastic support, and some tangible indulgences on the side.

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AFL Memorabilia: Who Is John Coleman?

America has the NBA and NFL, while Europe has FA cup and UEFA. On the other hand, the Aussies have their own taste in sports. For them, it's all about rugby or Aussie rules football. The AFL (Australian Football League) is one of the most attended and most watched sporting events in Australia. It has brought thousands of Aussies together to watch, celebrate, and support their favourite clubs. Supporting your favourite team is not only done through crowd participation. You must also wear or bring AFL merchandise to show your support.

AFL fans have many possible and easy ways to get authentic and original jerseys or any AFL merchandise. The best way to do this is to look for online shops. These online shops provide a wide variety of products supporting your favourite clubs. From Western Bulldogs to Adelaide Crows, they can give you unique, yet useful items to commemorate your favourite team.

AFL memorabilia: Who is John Coleman?

The most recent release of video clips featuring AFL's hall of famer, John Coleman, during his prime brings back great memories of passion and enthusiasm he created for the game. You can see his career highlights on any AFL memorabilia you will find.

John "The Prodigy" Coleman is the former team captain of Essendon. He was the youngest player to ever play in the professional league. He joined under 16- Australian football division at age 12. During his high school years, he joined in the Mornington Peninsula League-one of the biggest leagues in Australia.

He also joined Same Olds in 1949. In his debut, he had a record of 12 goals in the first game of home and away match of the season. His first spectacular goal was also his very first attempt in the league. John wasn't really physically strong. It was his finesse that attracted many scouts and club managers. His skills and abilities were exceptional. He was also one of the fastest players in the field, he can change pace anytime he wants. He was also a great kicker. He can easily score on flat punt kicks and penalties. He was an all-around player.

Coleman's style and passion for the game

John Coleman had his own style. In some of his games, you can see his long-sleeved number 10 jersey. His sleeves often rolled up to the elbow just like a blue-collar worker. He was also the "father" of footie's aerialist and often leaps out of a pack for unopposed marks. His style has also influenced many sports fans all over the world.

Coleman still holds the record for the most number of goals in a rookie season. In a relatively short time, however, he suffered a career-ending knee injury at age 25. Even so, he still earned the respect of fans and critics.

The Prodigy is also known for his passion for the game. He never backed down even when he was pitted against four or five defenders. He usually commits foul for excessive physical contact. He was also penalised for dangerous fouls and from taunting spectators. He hit a fan once who was mocking him during halftime-this is where he got his alias, "The Prodigy." You can still check out his highlights from online videos or any AFL memorabilia.

Mohammed Russel collects afl memorabilia and afl merchandise.

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Effect's of NFL Player Movement on the Fan Base, Sports Card Trading, and Memorabilia Collection

Do you have a favorite sports team? Think about your favorite player on that team. Now imagine you just found out that they have been traded, retired early, or entered free-agency unexpectedly. How would you feel? Upset, relieved, happy, sad, angry, or just plain frustrated. You have that feeling? Now, also imagine you are an avid sports card and memorabilia collector. You have collected all the cards, autographs, jerseys, and memorabilia from your favorite star. But now he/she is moving to another team. Does this devalue the current memorabilia? Or the future team gear? Let's take a look at a few past and recent transactions that may or may not have an effect on specific player relics.

Peyton Manning:

Of course we would talk about Peyton Manning. He is arguably the largest free-agency release and pickup of any team ever in the NFL. Once the face of the Indianapolis Colts franchise he is now the soon-to-be starting Quarterback of the Denver Broncos. How are most fans going to react? What will collectors think about his old/new cards? Will Colts fans cherish the memorabilia they have from his tenure in Indianapolis? Will his cards/autographs in a Colt's uniform be more valuable? Will his Denver Broncos cards and memorabilia be worth more because his tenure there will be understandably shorter, thus making the amount of items available a rarer occurrence? Or will they embrace the new face of the franchise (many believe this will be Stanford's Andrew Luck)? On another note, what will Denver fans think? They just had an up and down year with new Quarterback Tim Tebow. He definitely played a different game and drew a huge fan base in Denver and throughout the country. Often toted as, "...the guy I would want my daughter to marry!" Do fans in Denver embrace their new quarterback in Peyton Manning, or still hold on to the Tim Tebow days they relished only a few short months ago? Tim Tebow cards flew off the shelves and sold like hotcakes on Ebay and other auction sites less than a year ago? Will this trend continue, or will fans and collectors alike lose interest?

One can say that both quarterbacks left a legacy and a mark on the teams they played for at the end of the 2011-12 season. Peyton Manning's legacy lasted 14+ years, while Tebows lasted just under a full year with the recent NFL lockout. Will fans this year be more focused on Peyton Manning in Denver? Or will they feel they have been slighted and silently root for Tebow's success in New York with his new team, the Jets. This will be up to the fan and the collector. Some will reason that the players original team is where the legacy started and thus automatically makes the cards and memorabilia worth more. Others will argue that that either team can be weighted the same and it will be up to the individual collector to decide. What are your thoughts? Has this already happened to your team in years past? What if it had nothing to do with free-agency or trade of a player?

Barry Sanders:

Everyone who has watched football in their lifetime knows this name. He is one of the greatest rushers in NFL history. Only two people have more career rushing yards than his 15,269. Those two players are Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. Two NFL Legends. But, in 1999, Barry Sanders decided that he would unexpectedly retire from the NFL even though he was still healthy, running great, and within striking distance of Walter Payton's rushing record (16,726 yards). His retirement came as a surprise to most, except maybe those in the Lions organization. Apparently there had been some "bad blood" between Sanders and the leadership which caused him to lose his "love for the game". Thus his early retirement. Imagine being a Detroit Lions fan and hearing that just two years after signing a 6 year, $35.4 million contract that your star running back retired. Although this situation is far different from that of Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow (they went to different teams), the fan and collector situation remains the same. Some may argue that his cards and memorabilia are worth more because he is now retired. Imagine for a moment that he broke the all-time rushing record before his retirement. What does that do to the value of his items? But also imagine that he didn't break the record with the Lions and had been traded to a different team. Are his items worth more with the team where he broke the record, or for the team where he compounded 15,000+ yards?

Keep in mind this is merely two examples of what transactions in the sports world can have on fan base and collector interest. The views on what is better or worse for a team, card, jersey, or fan will only be decided by time. Some day we will know if a Tebow card in a Jet uniform is work more than a Bronco. On the other hand, will a Tebow card in a Bronco uniform be worth more than a Peyton Manning card in the same blue and orange? These will and can be discussed endlessly. Opinions will be formed, but Ebay, Beckett, and other ways to gauge memorabilia prices will tell the ultimate truth. What do you think?

The card value to me is created by two. The first person is the one who has possession of the card. The second is the person who is searching for that card. The value to the card holder will be lower at times than that of the person who wants possession of the card. Some people value cards in their search more than others. The fact that a player moves from one team to another doesn't affect the card's value, merely whether that teams collector still values the card in the same way. Someone will still value the card, whether they are on their old team or new team.

Player movement is part of the game. It will never directly affect the value of a sports card or the value of that person to an NFL Team. Their value can only go down based on performance and not on what team they play for. In the case of early retirement, it may actually help the value of the cards and fan interest. If the player was declining or no longer in his prime it may serve him good to retire when he did so that his value didn't decline more in the following years.

In conclusion, player movement, trades, and early retirement will only have a major effect on the NFL Team, the players family, and possibly the NFL as a whole. The effect on fan base and card value or interest will only be short lived, as new and exciting players will be in and out of the NFL constantly.

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