Autographed Nhl Memorabilia: What to Look for and Why you Should Get it

by Chase N.

Autographed Nhl Memorabilia: What to Look for and Why you Should Get it

Autographed NHL memorabilia can vary from trading cards to pucks to jerseys – almost anything hockey-related that has a surface that can be written on. And it's always an exciting time to take home signed memorabilia that lets you hold a piece of hockey history in your hands, especially if it's from a favorite player or an athlete who helped shape the game into what it is now. But with every celebration, there's always a party pooper – fake memorabilia.



Fake sports and celebrity memorabilia have robbed fans and collectors about .5 billion dollars and the bogus industry hasn’t showed signs of stopping. Today, experts estimate that at least 80% of autographed memorabilia are fake, prompting the FBI to create 'Operation Bullpen', a task force that investigates fake memorabilia and forgeries.



Authentic vs. fake autographed memorabilia


Fortunately, there are ways to find authentic NHL memorabilia, provided you spend time to do research and become an educated consumer. Fakes can sometimes be as good as the real thing and to an untrained eye, it can be difficult to tell them apart.



To make sure your autographed NHL memorabilia is truly worth your money, purchase your memorabilia from the NHL shop. The website displays different NHL memorabilia signed by the players themselves. Some autographed memorabilia may also come with an authentication from a league representative to certify its authenticity.



Autographed NHL memorabilia can also be purchased from well-established companies that are licensed to sell them. Many NHL athletes have contracts with these companies and sign memorabilia for them exclusively. These companies also have authorized affiliates and dealers who sell authentic memorabilia. Autographed NHL memorabilia can also be found on EBay, team websites and players' personal websites.



The COA


When buying autographed NHL memorabilia, make sure it comes with a COA or Certificate of Authenticity from a reliable and well-known company involved in authenticating sports memorabilia. Actual autographed memorabilia should be 'hand-signed' items and not just copies or reprints of the athlete's signature. Look for COAs issued by some of the most trusted companies such as Steiner Sports, Online Authentics and Global Authentication, Inc.



The price you pay


When it comes to sports memorabilia, the older the item is, the pricier it will be. Nostalgia plays a great part in driving interest and prices up for vintage NHL memorabilia. Price for autographed NHL memorabilia will also fluctuate, depending on the number of items available, the popularity of the player and on the condition of the item. The season also contributes to the demand. In spring, just before the play-offs, NHL memorabilia such as cards, pucks, hats and jerseys become more expensive.



Collecting now


If you intend to collect autographed NHL memorabilia, it's a good idea to start now. Sports memorabilia have a way of increasing in value as time passes. Rookies and current hockey superstars' signatures are very much sought-after. Autographed memorabilia from players such as Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby will be worth a lot 10 to 15 years from now.



Autographed NHL memorabilia of the greatest and most popular players can also hike the price up. A signed Wayne Gretzky Rangers jersey can cost from about 0 while legendary player Gordie Howe's jersey can cost a little over 00. Framed signed photos of the two players can fetch upwards from 00.



You don’t have to buy the most expensive memorabilia for yourself, but if you're an avid collector, you can look forward to the time when your autographed NHL memorabilia will be worth thousands.

For more information about authentic autographed sports memorabilia and collectibles, visit http://www.sportscollectionz.com . Read articles from contributing writers in our blog site at http://sportscollectionz.wordpress.com

The Legendary World of Negro League Mlb Memorabilia

by Al_HikesAZ

The Legendary World of Negro League Mlb Memorabilia

One of the most overlooked but highly priced MLB memorabilia are the legendary items of the old Negro league from 1920’s onwards. Although it is quite difficult to get a real authenticated piece of Negro league Memorabilia but MLB fans have long admired and cherished such rare items.

In recent years, there have been many instances of highly priced auctions for these items. Just a few years earlier, the popular Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City bought a uniform belonging to Kansas City Monarch Infielder Newt Allen for over ,000. On of the reasons that such uniforms attract high prices is their scarcity.

Such organizations as Leland and Hunt Auctions work with sports fans and interested parties to find and sell the major Negro league items. An authentic Negro league item will easily fetch a couple of hundred dollars from the major collectors of MLB memorabilia. Even a replica of such famed items is in high demand and is offered by companies such as Ebbetts Field Flannels and Negro League Stores. It is estimated that a vintage Negro league jersey will sell for more than a Grand.

Due to the restrictions imposed on Negro league and almost non existent publicity by press, the legend has grown significantly. According to the experts, the demand for Negro league memorabilia far exceeds any other MLB collectibles due to the difficulty of acquiring an authentic piece and the legends associated with each item. With only two dozen major Negro leaguers alive and an extinct history, it is impossible to distinguish reality from the fact. Whatever the case, an MLB collectible associated with the likes of Satchel Paige and Ted Radcliff is bound to attract MLB fans willing to share the stories of mythical proportions and superhuman feats.

Written by Reese Lakwatche. If you're curious about MLB Memorabilia then visit my site! You can even get more information regarding Authentic Sports Memorabilia here too.

Major League Baseball won't reverse an umpire's admitted blown call that cost Detroit's Armando Galarraga a perfect game Wednesday. MLB will look at expanded use of instant replay, but not the botched call. (June 3)