Understanding Sports Autographed Memorabilia

One of the first things to understand is the definitions between memorabilia and collectibles. Not all sports autographed items carry the same value and prestige in the signed sport memorabilia market

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Signed sport photos, cards, jerseys or any other sports related item are considered memorabilia when the signature is certified by a reputable distributor.

Sport Collectables are replica and authentic sports items that are unsigned or are signed but not authenticated.

There are two markets for sports signed items in which one is the sports fan who buys for the love of his/her favourite sports athlete or team and the other is a collector who treats the sports autographed industry as a business.

Both have very different reasons for buying signed sport memorabilia.

The main things that gives value to sports signed items is who signed it. Obviously an authentic autographed golf ball by Tiger Woods has more market value than a golf ball signed by Greg Norman and that's not to say Greg Norman's signature is not of any value, but the point here is Tiger Woods golfing record is of legendary status and in the long run of time it will be a more sort after sports autographed item.

The value is of coarse is markedly increased if that golf ball was the one Tiger won a US open with, so the occasion of the sports autographed item plays a big part of the end and long term value.

A professional collector will always buy based on logic and value while the average sports fan will normally buy based on his love of the athlete or team and thereby let his emotions play a big roll in the way he makes his decision.

In the sports autographed industry sports bat, balls, gloves, helmets and jerseys will always be popular sellers. In recent years many sport governing bodies have started offering game used items which have become sort after by many fans and collectors even without signatures but they do have authenticity certificates. Jumpers from the NFL Superbowl and other important games, but.. put a players signature on them and their value grow enormously.

Always make sure that any sports autographed memorabilia comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA) and always check that the certificate itself is authentic by checking the serial number with the company that issued it. Do some good old google checks is a simple way to get started as signed sport memorabilia is like any industry that has a product with an appreciating value, people who will take advantage of the passionate sports fan.