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| Collecting 101 |
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Autograph collecting can become a fun and profitable hobby if a new
collector takes the time to learn the difference between authentic
signatures and questionable signatures. This usually takes practice, but
with a little effort the collector can become very good at spotting that
"too good to be true" piece of sports memorabilia.
We have outlined a three-part philosophy to help take the guessing out of
autograph collecting.
Part 1. Choose Large, Reputable Distributors
One way to help ensure the signed collectibles you buy are authentic, is to
purchase them from reputable companies who sign athletes under contract.
Believe it or not, athletes sign items for money, often for large amounts.
For instance, John Elway, who has signed with Mounted Memories for years and
donates a large part of his signing money to charity, charges around $150.00
for his signature alone. Therefore, you cannot expect to get an authentic
Elway-signed mini helmet for $75.00 (and, if you do, you will need to
question its authenticity).
The size of company you buy from can also impact whether an item accrues
value. If you purchase an item from "Mom and Pops Memorabilia" and it comes
with their Certificate of Authenticity (COA), do not expect the piece to
gain value over the years. On the other hand, if you buy a Michael Jordan
jersey from UDA (Upper Deck Authenticated) you can feel confident the piece
is authentic and its value will continue to rise over the years.
It is also very important to learn which athletes are signing with what
companies. For example, Jordan exclusively signs with UDA, Sammy Sosa
exclusively with Total Sports Concepts. Take the time to learn these details
about the athletes whose signed items you collect and it will help you in
your purchasing decisions.
Part 2. Collecting "In Person"
If you do not want to pay for an authentic item, then you can try and get
your favorite athlete's signature in person. This is not going to be an easy
task, but it can be done if you are lucky enough to meet the athlete. Most
athletes will gladly sign an autograph for a fan, but do not expect him or
her to sign several items for no charge. Athletes who enjoy your admiration
also appreciate your respect.
DO NOT purchase "In Person" autographs from other people or companies. This
is a sure-fire way to acquire a forged signature. If you are going to
collect in person, make sure you get the signature while YOU are the one
standing in front of the athlete, watching it happen. Referring back to Part
1, if you know whether an athlete signs under contract, and with whom, you
can discount the claims of other people or businesses offering "in person"
signed items from the same athlete.
Part 3. Ask Us
When in doubt, let us be your resource. Even though we always encourage you
to purchase items from us that are certified authentic, we will be happy to
answer any autograph-collecting question you may have. Feel free to email us
at Sales@TopRungSports.com
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