When you invest in sports memorabilia, you
often don't realize how much the value can climb by
the time you choose to sell. Likewise, it could
decrease in value as well.
Appraisal is a must for the serious sports
collector. People have been sorely disappointed
because they didn't get their items appraised for
value and then sold them for a fraction of their
worth.
Some places to check for appraisals for sports
memorabilia include:
1.) AllAuthentic Sports Memorabilia-professionals
who can provide references and offer instant
appraisals
2.) Vintage Sports Memorabilia Appraisals-has a
sports artifacts library for thousands of vintage
sports items, prefers email requests limited to two
items, nothing newer than 1980.
3.) Krause Standard Catalog of Sports Memorabilia
Price Guide
4.) Robert Connelly-He does clinics on appraisals.
He's a member of the American Society of Appraisers
and was honored by the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors.
5.) American Legends-Provides paid appraisals,
founded in 1992.
6.) Sports Memorabilia Appraisal Expert
Witness-Provides an 800 #, volunteers background
information to help give reference to its value as
an appraisal business.
Besides the importance of appraisals for resale
value, you may want to seriously consider having
your valuable insured. Insurance companies also may
not recognize the value unless you've had an
appraisal done. Make sure you have documented proof.
There is a Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice which is recognized in courts and
acceptable to banks, insurance companies, auction
houses, and the IRS.
Don't just depend on a local sports shop or whatever
available appraisal you come across. Also, consider
that paying for more than one opinion is worthwhile
if a lot of money is involved and if it gives you
peace of mind.
Prices will change, so you'll want an updated value
before decided to sell. Retired players hold their
value better because their status won't change.
Make sure you sell to the right person or business.
Just because an item is listed as one amount doesn't
mean the dealer will agree to pay that amount.
Sweat stains don't necessarily make a jersey
authentic. Anyone can wear a jersey long enough to
sweat in it and try to pass it off as the real
thing. Watch for smudged autographs, dog-eared pages
in books, worn edges on cards. An appraiser should
be trained to notice small details that would
decrease the value of your collector's item.
There is a system with trading cards called grading.
A graded card has a more reasonable guarantee of
authenticity. Graded cards are sealed to discourage
card switching, a low tactic of some sellers. The
appraiser should know to recognize graded cards and
their value.
When my daughter was involved in card collecting and
bought a box of cards that seemed like a great deal
to her, she was soon sorely disappointed. The only
authentic card was the one in the display on the
front of the box. All the rest were fakes,
worthless. It was a waste of her hard-earned and
long saved allowance. So beware of this type of scam
when you buy a group of items. The appraisal value
will be zero!
