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. For more on reputable signing
companies, visit our section on authenticity.
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
service@prosportsmemorabilia.com.