Unusual Finds in Autographed Sports Memorabilia and Movie Memorabilia

Collectors love autographed sports memorabilia and signed movie memorabilia. From autographed game jerseys to signed guitars and signed movie posters, celebrity autographs carry a special cachet with collectors that ordinary movie memorabilia and sports collectibles don’t have. Even so, there are some pieces of movie and sports memorabilia that are more collectible than others. Every once in a while, an especially rare or popular piece of Hollywood memorabilia or autographed sports memorabilia crops up that is met with a great deal of interest and high demand. These are a few collectibles that have lit up the market in the past few years.

Star Wars Poster

Star Wars posters are always in big demand. As one of the longest lasting and most popular movie franchises of all times, Star Wars has spawned an entire industry of Star Wars collectibles, toys and posters. Easily the most popular of all Star Wars movie posters is the Star Wars The Duel poster, featuring Luke Skywalker facing off against Darth Vader. Celebrity autographs make this particular poster even more valuable and push it up onto the most wanted list.

James Bond

In the world of movie franchises, James Bond is in a class by itself. While most of the “series” movie franchises have been the creative vision of one particular producer or director, James Bond has captured the creative vision of numerous directors, producers and stars. It is also unique in that the title character has been played by a variety of stars, and each of them has placed an indelible stamp on the character. Roger Moore, Sean Connery and others have each breathed life into the debonair 007, and each has his proponents regarding the claim to be the best Bond of all time. While all James Bond movie posters are collectible, some of the most valued pieces of Bond memorabilia are those that combine several versions of James Bond in one frame.

Autographed Sports Memorabilia

As game rooms and man caves become more and more popular, sales of autographed sports memorabilia are hitting record highs. There are a few items that always seem to make it onto every list of “ideas for a man cave” – and they nearly all have to do with sports collectibles, sports memorabilia and autographed sports memorabilia. Game jerseys are high on the list of most wanted items, with game-worn items always in the highest demand. The most popular of all game jerseys and other sports and team memorabilia are those worn by superstars in major games. Their rarity and significance gives them an added cachet.

Collecting autographed sports memorabilia and movie memorabilia is more than a fun hobby. It can add a distinctive touch to your home décor and, if you choose carefully, make you a little extra cash if and when you decide to sell your collection.

Buying Autographed Sports Memorabilia for Collectors

Sports fans are inveterate collectors of sports memorabilia. They hang onto the ticket stubs from the games they attend. They buy team-tagged swag at games and at their favorite stores. They hang team posters on their walls save collectible team photos from their local newspapers. They collect stats and “official” team game jerseys and licensed sports merchandise. Few of them take the next step into serious sports collecting, though – collecting genuine, authenticated autographed sports memorabilia.

Why Collect Genuine Autographed Sports Memorabilia?

While authenticated sports autographs and memorabilia related to the various professional sports can be valuable, money and profit is seldom the reason that the typical sports autograph buff collects autographed sports memorabilia. Celebrity autographs and signed collectible sports memorabilia carry their own cachet that makes them attractive to the collector. It may be hero worship, love of the game, admiration for a particular sports player or a sense of belonging. Whatever the reason they collect, though, sports lovers and those who gather autographed sports collectibles are at a different level than those who lay out $25 to buy the program at the basketball game.

The Value Factor

Value may be in the eye of the beholder, but there’s no doubt that genuine basketball memorabilia is more valuable than the $25 program – unless, of course, you manage to get a few highly-sought-after autographs – and evidence that those sports autographs are genuine.

Authenticity is a major factor in the value of a piece of baseball memorabilia, football memorabilia or basketball memorabilia. Experienced collectors won’t even consider paying for an autographed sports photo, game ball, autographed game jersey or other type of sport memorabilia without some proof that the signature is genuine. Reputable dealers would never dream of selling, for example, a baseball autographed by Cal Ripken without including a certificate of authenticity attesting to it being a genuine signature.

Of course, the mere presence of a certificate of authenticity is no guarantee. It is, after all, even easier to fake a certificate than it is to fake the autograph of a famous gridiron hero or baseball superstar. If you’re thinking of buying an autographed sports photo or game jersey for a sports fan in your life, and you’re not an expert in the field of collecting sports memorabilia, skip that awesome bargain-priced “game-worn” basketball jersey that you found for sale on eBay. Instead, do your research to find a reputable dealer of autographed sports memorabilia and do your shopping safely. You’ll avoid being disappointed and ensure that the sports mementoes you buy are the real thing.