Sports Memorabilia Appraisal

If you are going to pay big bucks for a sports item, learning sports memorabilia appraisal techniques is important.

You've found the perfect autographed baseball, signed by Babe Ruth. The price is right and you're ready to pay for the item. Hold it! Any collectible sports item should have a certificate of authenticity by a reputable appraiser. Having the appraiser check the item in person before you buy is also an option, especially if the item has a high price tag. Purchasing an item from an antique dealer who has been in business for a while, as opposed to someone at a garage sale, is also a good idea.

There are basically five categories used to determine the value of an item. These types are:

1. Artistry. While there isn't always artistry in sports memorabilia, the item should have value in the way that the item is made. Stitching on baseballs is uniform, wooden golf clubs are straight and without large chinks in them, autographed items are clean and the writing isn't smudged.
2. Workmanship. Is the item a nice representation of items of equal value? Workmanship in hand carved or hand tooled leather items should be well made, and created to last through the generations. Occasionally, the artisan who handmade the primitive sports items will add additional value to the item.
3. Age. The age of an item can determine the value, as well as determine if it is a fake or not. As with a signed Babe Ruth baseball, it should be an older looking ball, not one that is a brilliant white vinyl!
4. Condition. An item’s condition, especially if it has been used, will greatly determine the value of an item. A banged up sports piece may not be valuable, unless it was a golf club owned by a sports great like Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods.
5. Subject Matter. Items that may have been ignored years ago may suddenly find a product niche. The Internet makes advertising items for sale much easier, and it also can increase prices on collectible items because there are more similar items to compare. For example, collecting primitive golf balls and hickory golf clubs can be lucrative if you know which ones to collect.

Appraisals for sports items can be done either in person with a specialist in the field, such as at an auction house, or by sending an item through certified mail to an appraiser. Usually after an appraisal is done, a certificate is issued to be kept in a safe place until you wish to sell the item. Appraisers are traditionally online or in the phone book. Online appraisals can be found at:

• Heritage Auctions
• Sports Value Consulting
• Sports Artifacts

Many people start a collection by finding one special item. It is always wise to begin with something that you really like. Collecting items that have no meaning to you may leave you with a collection that has no resale value either. Remember the pet rock craze? There aren't many people who are still collecting those boxed rocks, even though thousands were sold at the time.

If your passion is baseball, consider starting a baseball card, autographed baseball or bat collection. All of these items are fun to display in a sports themed room, and they may also increase in value. Some people enjoy collecting golf balls, especially if they have been autographed by their favorite players. Collectors of golf balls may later decide to only collect primitive balls, which are interesting to display, as well as increasing in value over time. Autographed basketballs are another favorite, as are soccer balls. Always collect items that have been checked by a sports memorabilia appraisal specialist. Even if you were there when the item was signed, it may have no resale value if it doesn't have a certificate from an appraiser stating it is genuine.

The greatest value from collection is derived from your personal satisfaction. Would you collect a particular item if it had no resale value? Make sure you would keep the item either way so you don't clutter your attic with unwanted memorabilia. Learn as much as you can about the item you are collecting. Reading price guides and collector's guides are a great place to find basic information on any collectible.

Remember, before you buy an expensive sports item, have a sports memorabilia appraisal done. Sports appraisers know how to spot a fake signature and will save you money if you were about to purchase a forgery..

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