If you are new to the entire concept of sports memorabilia collecting, you are probably feeling a little bit overwhelmed and somewhat confused about several aspects of this hobby. For starters, you might not know how to get started, and second, you might not know what items you can start collecting.
Well, if you are in this situation, do not worry, this article can be quite helpful! The text below will feature two lists – one that will teach you what items you can start buying and collecting, and a second one that will teach you how to get started. So, let’s take a look at the article:
What Sports Memorabilia Can I Collect?
1. Autographs
One of the cheapest, most popular, and cheap hobbies on this list is collecting autographs from famous athletes. Now, you might be wondering – why is it the most popular one? Well, to put it simply, it is quite easy to find an autograph from a past and present athlete.
There is a wide range of websites that can help you with this – such as eBay – that offer autographs and autographed items from people such as Tiger Woods and Novak Djokovich. What makes it even better is that the autographs usually cost around 20 dollars and sometimes, even less. This means that you won’t have to spend a lot of money on your hobby.
2. Team-Signed Equipment
Look for online vintage stores, eBay, online auctions, and yard sales, and you might just find sports equipment that was signed by the entire team! Trust me when I say it, you will be able to find balls, bats, jerseys, and even sneakers with autographs from popular teams. They are incredibly unique + and they are incredibly fun to display on a shelf.
3. Old Posters And Programs
Old posters and sporting events programs are perhaps the most undervalued and underrated items on this list – which is a big mistake, especially since they are quite valuable. If you are interested in memorabilia that can be framed, you should definitely opt for collecting these items.
-You will be able to find posters that go back more than 100 years (the 1900s), which means that you can have a piece of paper that was printed during the 1910s and 1950s. Also, you should keep in mind to look for ones that feature the original art on the front, especially since they are worth more.
4. Pins And Badges
Now, if you are looking for the most fun hobby, you should definitely opt for collecting badges and enamel pins. These are endlessly fun because there are thousands, if not millions, of designs that you can purchase. This means that you will never get bored with your hobby.
Additionally, there are various companies that can manufacture customized pins, which means that you can literally get whatever you want to. If you want to see what items and services you can choose to purchase, check out this website for finding more information.
5. Magazines And Newspapers
Yet another incredibly fun hobby is finding and purchasing magazines, newspapers, and clippings! Now, you can, for example, choose to create a scrapbook with newspaper clippings, or you can find entire magazines with specific texts that you want. Additionally, you should know that this memorabilia can also be a great home décor item, especially since the clipping can look amazing when framed.
How Can I Start?
When starting out a hobby, there are some things that you should consider and decide. These things include:
1. Choosing a Sport And a Team
The first thing you should know is that it is always smarter to start small. Choose 1 sport and 1 team that you want to focus on. Although you might like a lot of teams and sports, you will still need to make a decision. By doing this, you will be able to get the first few items easier.
2. Find Various Stores That Sell Sports Memorabilia
We live in the era of technological advancements, hence, it is quite easy to find memorabilia stores nowadays. All you will need to do is type in “sports memorabilia store near me”, and you will probably get a lot of websites from Google. However, when you find one, make sure that you check the reviews in order to determine the experience and authenticity of the store.
3. Always Ask to See Authenticity Certificates
When collecting sports memorabilia, there is one rule that you should remember – always, I repeat, always ask to see the certificate of authenticity when thinking about purchasing an item. By doing so, you will be able to protect your money, time, and naturally, your nerves. Just think about paying over $1.000 for an autograph of your favorite baseball player, just to find out it is not real.
4. Learn More About The History of The Sports, Team, And Best Players
If you want to be a true memorabilia collector, you should learn more about the history of the sport you chose, the team you chose, as well as the best players from that team. Who knows, maybe you can find the best baseball player that lived near your hometown? This can help you when you are searching for memorabilia later on.
5. Set a Budget And Stick to it
Another thing that you should do is set up a budget for your hobby – and, you will need to stick to it. When your hobby is one that needs constant investments, it is quite easy to get carried away. Hence, it is incredibly crucial for you to set a monthly budget for your hobby. If you are new to the entire concept of sports memorabilia collecting, you are probably feeling a little bit overwhelmed and somewhat confused about several aspects of this hobby.
As you can see, there are literally endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a hobby that is closely connected to your favorite sport. Besides that, by following the tips above, you will be able to make the entire process of beginning your sports collection easier and less time-consuming. Hence, now what you can do, do not waste any more time, and instead, start thinking about what hobby might be best for you!