How to Make Sure the Sports Memorabilia Piece You Are Buying Is Authentic
How to Make Sure the Sports Memorabilia Piece You Are Buying Is Authentic
Are you an avid sports memorabilia collector? Do you sometimes wonder if your collectibles are truly authentic? If you aren't purchasing your items from a reputable dealer, there may be some question as to their authenticity. When you engage with a dealer that you can trust, you can feel comfortable in your purchases and investing in higher value items. Collectors with a sizable portfolio of sports collectibles should look into third party authentication and valuation of their items. If the value of your collection is substantial, carrying insurance protection is always a good idea.
To Make Sure the Sports Memorabilia That You Are Buying Is Authentic, Follow These Simple Tips
Important athletes such as Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter keep tight control over their autographs and typically only sign them at authorized events. If someone is selling a signature that they say they got in person and "on the fly" it is highly likely to be fake. Top athletes only sign items that are authorized through their management, and these signed items will have a stamp from the company that holds the rights to their signatures, such as Steiner Sports and Upper Deck. Long gone are the days when athletes would give their autographs to any passerby, today, such sports collectibles are commodities that come with a price attached. Take a look online for information about typical pricing levels for signed items from popular sports stars.
If it Seems Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
When you come across a rare find, especially when it’s for a great price, it is important to authenticate the memorabilia before you make the purchase. There is enough pricing information available to help you to avoid any scams or fake items. The best place to buy your sports collectibles is at an authorized signing event or from a dealer like Dynasty Sports, who provides Certificates of Authenticity (COA) with every purchase. If there is an athlete that you especially admire, keep an eye out for their authorized appearances at Fan Days, conventions, or in-store events where they are personally selling autographs.
A Little Research Can Go A Long Way in Protecting Your Investment
If you are considering an acquisition of a sports memorabilia item, it makes sense to do a little research before your purchase. It is pretty easy to find a star athlete's signature online as well as any corporate markers that will appear on any signed items. If you have done some research but are still unsure about the authenticity of the item, you may want to engage a third-party authenticator. This would only be necessary if you are making a private purchase, as anything of real value that is sold on the open market should come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Reputable Dealers Are Your Best Bet for Sourcing Authentic Sports Memorabilia
Trading in sports memorabilia is a profession that is built upon trust and a solid reputation. For this reason, it is pretty straightforward to find a dealer that you can trust. If the athlete that you are collecting is no longer doing Fan Days and in-store signing appearances, or they are no longer living, collecting their signatures and other items from them personally is no longer an option. In such cases, it is recommended that you turn to a legitimate sports dealer who has a stellar reputation.
Good dealers are typically known by their strong reputations and word of mouth is often the best way to find them. Once you have found a reputable dealer it is a good idea to have all of your items authenticated and appraised. This will help you in the event of damage, loss, theft or any other circumstance that prompts you to file an insurance claim. Knowing that all of your collectibles are authentic can give you peace of mind and when you have them valued you will be able to protect your investment. Anyone with an extensive collection should look into having their items insured. Yes, sports memorabilia are often sentimental in nature, but it does also hold intrinsic value.
Are you ready to start building your sports memorabilia collection in such a way that authenticity will not be an issue? At Dynasty Sports, our collectibles come with a Certificate of Authenticity and our professional and knowledgeable staff are here to answer all of your questions and get you started as a sports collector! Call or stop by either of our locations to find out more about our wide range of collectible sports memorabilia.
And for those who want to meet some of their favorite players, make sure you check our in-store signings regularly, and subscribe to the Dynasty Newsletter to find out about our exclusive offers and latest arrivals.