When you love sports, you know how important games and players are to the culture.
America is known for three major sports: American football, baseball, and basketball. By and large, football is the fan favorite. With over 40% of American adults naming football as their favorite sport, it makes sense for fans to want to collect pieces of sporting history.
The sports memorabilia industry made over $1 billion in 2023 and is set to climb significantly over the next decade.
If you want to start collecting your favorite pieces of sporting history, below are five tips for beginners on their journey into the world of sports memorabilia:
1. Collection Strategy
This one is not as simple as you would think.
While there is no rule to say you cannot collect items from different sports, it is wise to develop a collection strategy from the beginning.
The most coveted items will set you back hundreds of thousands of dollars, so start small and steadily add to your collection.
There are thousands of items available, so you must understand the basics. There are many different types of items, including jerseys, balls, trading cards, and more.
2. Join A Group
When in doubt, ask an expert.
These days, there are hundreds of groups and forums around the world that deal with each element of sports memorabilia in detail.
One of the things people love the most about sports is their ability to bring people together from all walks of life, no matter the weather. It’s about community and a shared passion. The same thing applies to the world of sports memorabilia.
3. Reliable Sources
As a beginner collector, you will soon discover the horrible world of memorabilia fakes and unscrupulous scam artists.
There are countless fakes, and the FBI investigated the world of trading memorabilia in 1999, culminating in a shocking announcement in 2000 that as much as 90% of memorabilia in the industry was fake.
Luckily, these days you can get items scrutinized before you buy them. It is essential to get advice and appraisals on any item before you fork over your hard-earned cash.
Better than the above would be to exclusively buy collector’s items such as ticket stubs, game balls, or a signed mini helmet from a reputable dealer.
4. Do Not Rush
Rome was not built in a day. Neither was the world’s biggest sports memorabilia collection.
Take the time to find the items that deserve a place in your collection. Browse online marketplaces and classifieds regularly to spot prized items before they get sold, or stick to buying from reputable dealers only – it is your choice.
Building a collection will take time, so have patience and understand that this hobby often evolves into a lifelong commitment.
5. Preservation Techniques
Once your collection starts taking shape, you must consider ways to preserve your new items.
There are generally two things you can consider for maintaining the value and condition of the items. You can either store them or display them – the choice is yours.
If you store them, keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct (or prolonged) sunlight. Excessive heat and moisture can damage your collection, especially if it includes trading cards or ticket stubs.
Now that you know the basics, you can get out there and get collecting!
