Tips On How To Effectively Collect Autographed Memorabilia

Being able to collect autographed memorabilia may be a personal past time for some people, but for serious memorabilia collectors, it is a challenge and a great reward, and is even considered a fun and lucrative hobby.  Who could have thought that some memorabilia collectibles 30-40 years ago can become a valuable collectible worth thousands of dollars? Most probably no one ever gave a thought about it, not until the celebrity or athlete was proclaimed a legend, or a historical event was given importance few years later.

If you plan on being a serious memorabilia collector of autographed memorabilia, you have to be knowledgeable on the hobby that you are entering into. Being prepared and well informed on this field increases your chances of acquiring rare and valuable autographed memorabilia. Here are some helpful tips that can get you off on a positive note.

Determine the type or category of autographed memorabilia you are interested in.

There are a lot of categories in memorabilia collecting. From sports memorabilia, music memorabilia, to movies memorabilia, there are a lot of items that can be used for signatures. The question is which field is your passion? What interests you the most and why? Answering these questions will bring you to a specific conclusion on what you plan collecting. You may want to be a movie memorabilia collector, but if you have more knowledge on the subject sports, then sports memorabilia may be more appropriate for you for the meantime. If however, you still want to pursue categories which you might not be well aware of, then study the market and research on popular figures to determine what memorabilia can be lucrative in the near and long term future.

Attend lots of events and shows which have famous celebrities or athletes attending.

This might not be the easiest thing to do, but it is a fun way of gaining signatures for your autographed memorabilia. You can attend premiers, movie trade shows, charity events or other social events which you can acquire the signature of a celebrity or a director. If you are in a sports event, wait for the game to end then have a piece of poster or collage of your famous athlete signed by him. If you want something unique, have your shirt signed or you can also use items related to the sporting event such as basketball, baseball bat, hockey gear, helmet or jersey.

Check auction sites, reputable memorabilia shops on-line and on field.

If you have noticed, there are a lot of auction sites and memorabilia stores online. If you are the type of collector who would want to just purchase and collect your autographed memorabilia the easy way, then the best thing to do is to canvas different sites for the prices and products. You can also check flee markets and yard sales if they have what you are looking for. If you have more knowledge about the value of the collectible more than the seller, you may even strike up a deal for a much lower price.

Check the authenticity of the autographed memorabilia.

This is the vital part in collecting autographed memorabilia. If you plan on reselling your purchased memorabilia, or you just want to know if it is genuine, then have it checked by pawn brokers who are skilled enough in appraising famous autographs. Some online shops even issue a certificate of authenticity. However, if it’s for your own personal collection, you do not need to have it authenticated, unless you plan to sell it in the near future.

 Whether you collect autographed memorabilia for personal or investment purposes, just be well-informed about its value, authenticity, and make sure to use your available resources in determining the places where you can have or purchase your memorabilia. Besides, collectors have a talent for finding out first where to buy rare collectibles, and you do not want to be left behind empty handed. Bear these tips in mind and you will be able to collect the autographed memorabilia you are aiming for effectively.