Obtaining Authentic Signatures

Autographed Memorabilia

There's nothing quite like having an autograph of your favorite sports star. The tradition spans back almost a century, when early baseball stars like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio signed their names on simple items like baseballs and bats. It was all good fun back then. No one would have known that autographed sports memorabilia would someday be worth tens of thousands of dollars. Now, of course, everyone knows that autographed sports memorabilia is worth a bundle, and the autograph industry has become big business in America. That does not, however, mean that you have to spend big bucks to get your favorite star's signature. Here are a few tips when collecting MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL autographed memorabilia that should save you some money and provide authenticity.The best way to get your collectibles autographed by your favorite star is to attend a show where he or she might be signing autographs. Yes, you'll have to stand in line, but you have the certainty that your autograph is authentic. If you are looking to buy online, there are other ways to ensure authenticity. Third-party companies exist whose sole purpose is to make sure that consumers aren't being ripped off with forgeries. Obviously, an authenticated autograph with no documentation can easily be forged, and unfortunately millions of collectors worldwide are defrauded by these scams. If you demand authenticity certificates and a picture of your favorite star signing the autograph in question, you can feel better about paying good money for it. In addition, authentic autographed memorabilia has a much higher resale value than unauthenticated memorabilia. If you think in these investment terms, it's a no-brainer.