| Collecting signed memorabilia from the most | | | | Although these authentication services do the |
| famous athletes in the world can be a financially | | | | best they can, there is always a chance that one |
| rewarding endeavor, this shouldn't be your first | | | | gets past them. One way to get remedy this, is |
| priority. If you are new to the sports memorabilia. | | | | to actually get the autograph yourself. If you |
| The most important thing should always be, | | | | lucky enough to live near a professional sports |
| actually enjoying what you're doing. This may | | | | team in your area, just take a drive down there. |
| seem pretty obvious, but many people start | | | | After practice, most athletes spend a good 20 |
| collecting simply because it could lead to making | | | | minutes just signing different things from fans. |
| some money. Usually it doesn't work that way. | | | | Just bring a baseball, football, poster, jersey, bat, |
| People that get into this business just strictly for | | | | card, or anything else you can get your hands on. |
| financial gain, usually fail, and quite badly too. A | | | | Try to remember your pen. You'd be quite |
| true collector should really appreciate he or she | | | | amazed at what you end up leaving with. And the |
| gets. If you are ever lucky enough to come | | | | most important thing is that you know that the |
| across a Mickey Mantle autographed baseball or a | | | | signature is 100% authentic. |
| Lou Gehrig signed jersey, the first thing that | | | | If you want to start buying your memorabilia, |
| should come to your mind is not "how much could | | | | there are a lot of quality online autograph sellers. I |
| I get for this?". The first thought that should | | | | also recommend going to eBay. I know some |
| come to your mind is "Wow! I can't believe I'm | | | | frown upon eBay, as they do have some |
| lucky enough to own this". That piece of sports | | | | scammers, but the majority of the sellers are |
| memorabilia should be viewed as an unbelievable | | | | very respected in the autograph industry. Also, |
| piece of history. | | | | you just can't beat the selection. Obviously, the |
| It's no different than an art collector buying a | | | | important things to look at before a purchase is: |
| Picasso painting just for the incredible privilege of | | | | 1) Is it authenticated? The majority of the sellers |
| enjoying its legacy and what that painting | | | | show their certificate of authenticity on the listing. |
| represents. | | | | 2) Take a look at the signature on the piece. For |
| Another important factor to know about collecting | | | | example, if you're looking at a Reggie Jackson |
| sports memorabilia is that there are a lot of | | | | autographed bat, do some searching online. You're |
| crooks out there. It's not too hard to take a pen | | | | bound to run into more Reggie Jackson |
| and fake an autograph from Joe Montana or | | | | autographs. Just simply compare and contrast the |
| Kobe Bryant. Unfortunately for all the true | | | | ones you've seen to the one that is in the listing. |
| collectors, there are many shady people that | | | | 3) Also most sellers have refund policy. So get a |
| have created an art form in forging athlete's | | | | second opinion on your autograph. Ship it to |
| signatures. | | | | another authenticating service. If it comes up as a |
| Thankfully though, there are many authenticating | | | | fake, most sellers will take it back for a refund. |
| services who have an excellent reputation. There | | | | 4) Most importantly, check the seller's feedback. |
| is PSA/DNA, Steiner Sports, Upper Deck, and | | | | That's what it's there for. If you see some |
| many more. The sole purpose of these | | | | unhappy buyers, you know this seller is not for |
| companies is to identify that an autograph was | | | | you. If you see nothing but positive reviews, then |
| actually signed by the respective athlete. | | | | you know the seller is certainly more trustworthy. |