| Collecting sports memorabilia is a popular hobby | | | | Olympics, or one sport. This will enable you to |
| amongst sports enthusiasts all over the world. It is | | | | become more educated about one area and with |
| also a massive commercial industry and is growing | | | | time you will be able to spot interesting and rare |
| every year. A passion for sport can turn into a large | | | | pieces that will be popular with buyers. Now that you |
| collection of signed pieces, and in some cases this | | | | have established the theme of your collection you will |
| collection can have great financial value. For others, | | | | also be able to determine its value. For example, if |
| the value is merely sentimental. Whatever, the | | | | your collection focuses solely on one player then it |
| reason for collecting sports memorabilia, there is no | | | | may be difficult to sell, but a collection that is |
| doubt that it is a very popular hobby. Sports | | | | dedicated to a certain piece of sporting history may |
| memorabilia covers a lot of different pieces, and the | | | | appeal to a wider range of buyers. In order to keep |
| prices can range from pence to thousands of pounds. | | | | track of the growth of your collection, it might be |
| Photos, cards, shirts and other sports related | | | | helpful to make a wish list of items that you want |
| equipment that have been signed by an athlete are | | | | the most. If you stick to the list this will ensure that |
| considered memorabilia, but only when the signature | | | | you do not panic buy items that may turn out to be |
| has been certified by a reputable company. Adding an | | | | bad buys. A wish list will also help you to establish a |
| autograph to an article can either decrease of | | | | budget and stick to it. In order to make your |
| increase its value. For example, if the autograph has | | | | collection as good as possible, it is helpful to educate |
| been personalised to a specific name then the | | | | yourself about the sports memorabilia market. You |
| autograph will devalue the item on the public market. | | | | should make yourself aware of market prices, |
| The price of an item will also be very low if the item | | | | factors that make prices fluctuate and decrease and |
| is sold without a certificate of authenticity. Replica | | | | the general history behind your collection. This means |
| and authentic sports products that are unsigned, or | | | | that you are less likely to be ripped off when buying |
| are signed but not authenticated, are considered | | | | pieces and you will be able to choose pieces wisely. |
| collectibles. If you decide to become a collector of | | | | You should also keep up to date with the sports |
| sports memorabilia, you must first establish a | | | | memorabilia market in general to see what is selling |
| strategy. Firstly, you will need to decide whether you | | | | well and what isn't. Being a collector of sports |
| are going to become a collector as a hobby or if you | | | | memorabilia takes a lot of time and effort. You |
| want to collect in order to make a profit. If you | | | | should expect to have to take the time to shop |
| decide on the latter, you need to consider to | | | | online, scour newspaper adverts for auctions and deal |
| likelihood that you will become attached to the items, | | | | directly with a specialised sports memorabilia broker |
| and in the event that this happens how likely it is | | | | and even attend collectible shows. Another way is to |
| that you will be able to part with your things. If you | | | | go to the direct source, for example attending |
| think that you may get too attached to your | | | | games or training sessions to get the players to sign |
| collection then it may be wise to collect merely for | | | | memorabilia. If you have a genuine interest in your |
| pleasure rather than as a money-making scheme. If | | | | collection then these things will not seem like hard |
| you think that you will be able to give up your | | | | work to you, but if they do then maybe you should |
| treasures in order to make a profit you need to give | | | | reconsider becoming a collector. If you want 100% |
| yourself limits on how much you are willing to spend. | | | | genuine sports memorabilia then look no further than |
| Next you should decide on a theme for your | | | | They are a family run company that has an |
| collection. It may be that you are interested in one | | | | extensive catalogue of over 6,000 items of |
| type of sport or a certain period of sporting history. | | | | memorabilia. For more information on sports |
| However, you should try to narrow your search to | | | | memorabilia click here. |
| include maybe only one team, one athlete, the | | | | |