A sports memorabilia collection can be a fantastic hobby for sports lovers, as well as being an excellent way to build up a valuable collection of items as an investment. A love of the thing you’re collecting is essential to build a truly expansive and quality collection. It’s best to narrow your focus to one sport or sporting team, as this will make it easier to learn about the kind of items you could collect and focus your searches in the right places.
You don’t have to have piles of cash to begin a sports memorabilia collection – you can find plenty of cost-effective ways to start building your collection. Flea markets, online sellers, and memorabilia trading groups can be great sources of cheap and free collectibles, and while they may not hold much monetary value, they can have significant sentimental value for fans of sports.
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Learn What Makes The Most Valuable Collectibles
This could mean monetary value or personal value to you as a collector – you should know what you’re most keen to find for your collection and where and how you can find it. Make sure that you understand the monetary value of any collectible you buy; you’ll need to store it accordingly if it is worth a lot of money. Often, the condition, rarity, and legacy of the items you add to your collection will have the biggest impact on their monetary value.
Decide On A Niche
Sports, in general, is typically too broad an area to try to build a collection out of – it is best to find a niche to focus your search for memorabilia. This could be your favorite team, a specific sport, or even a particular player. You could also focus your collecting on a particular type of memorabilia like trading cards or signed photographs; choose what feels right and will give you the most enjoyment over time. Having one specific niche will make it easier for you to select the right products and narrow down your search when you come to start buying items for your collection.
Save Your First Betting Ticket
Digital or paper, your first betting ticket is an important part of your personal history with your favorite sport. It might never be worth a lot, but if it has meaning to you, it is well worth keeping in your collection. If you haven’t made your first bet yet, now could be a good time to do so – after all, betting is an integral part of enjoying sports for many people. You can get your start in the world of sports betting using quality, reliable sites such as BetUS. Make sure you’re responsible, and only bet what you could potentially afford to lose- but remember, any wins can go towards your new collection, which could help motivate you to make smart choices when betting on games.
Make Your Collection Safe
Your collection will need to be stored safely, and the reasons for this are two-fold: one, you must ensure your collectibles aren’t damaged by their environment, and two, you must keep them secure from would-be thieves. The risk of theft isn’t too bad for small-time collectors or low-value collectibles, but it is still worth taking precautions. Ensure that the environment your collection is stored in is dry (to avoid damp or mold damage) and dark (to prevent sun damage) – if you want to display your collection, use glass or plastic covers with UV filters to prevent fading. It’s also a good idea to take out insurance to protect your collection should something happen to it.
Keep Souvenirs From Games
Any sports fan can collect souvenirs from the sporting events they attend, which can form a truly personalized part of their collection. You could save programs, errant balls, players’ jerseys, and tickets – bonus points if you can manage to get them signed. While current memorabilia might not have much value, to begin with, they might appreciate over time as the number available becomes scarce or if the event they are from becomes particularly well known. It’s a good idea to keep hold of all the memorabilia you can get your hands on at a game and store it safely; you never know what the future might hold for its value. Some items might look like rubbish, but they could have value going forward. Just be careful you don’t hoard everything- old food packets will probably never be lucrative! Focus on items that could potentially hold historical significance.
Authenticate Anything You Buy
If you’re spending money on memorabilia for your collection, you’ll need to know that you’re getting the real deal. A certificate of authenticity (CoA) is a good place to start, but you should ensure it is issued by a reputable organization. You might also consider getting advice from an expert in the field of sports memorabilia to verify the thing you’re buying is legitimate. Also, check any facts around the item- for example, if you’re buying a ball first pitched by a particular player, and a date is mentioned, see if a game was actually played on that date and the player was there. This is a particularly vital step to take if you’re spending a significant amount on the item. Most sellers will offer a CoA as standard, particularly for very high-value items. If they don’t, be wary, and tell them to get it authenticated before you’re willing to hand over your hard-earned cash. You’ll then be able to rest assured that the item you’re purchasing is worth the money and will be a great addition to your collection.
Final Thoughts
A sports memorabilia collection can be a great way to feel more connected to the sports you love. You’ll need to know what kind of things are best suited for a collection and have a good idea for the rarest collectibles. If you want to build up a collection of treasured sports memorabilia, you’ll need to have the money to spend investing in the items – you’ll also need to be able to spot a fake a mile away. You should also store your collectibles carefully and safely in an environment where they will not become damaged or easily stolen.
