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Real Baseball Autographs: Autographed Baseballs, Baseball Cards, Bats, Jerseys And Auctions
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Published: February 4, 2008
Baseball autographs have been an intrinsic part in celebrating baseball since America's favorite pastime began in the 19th century. Keepsakes such as autographed baseballs, autographed jerseys and other memorabilia can recall fond memories of meeting one of the baseball greats for many a sports fan. A great number of baseball lovers have made a hobby out of collecting baseball autographs from their favorite players.
For avid followers of the sport, nothing can compare to owning a piece of memorabilia that bears the personal mark of a real baseball celebrity.
In the early years of baseball, collecting players' autographs was no more than a simple way for baseball fans to commemorate their heroes and look back on memorable times. Over time, collectors began seeing an opportunity in selling baseball autographs for money. Businesses and auctions dealing with autographed baseball memorabilia emerged everywhere to make a profit. Now more than ever, with the growth of the internet and online auctions, the buying and selling of baseball autographs has increased in popularity. Unfortunately, modern technology has also created opportunities for crooks to sell fraudulent signatures for an easy profit. The problem is serious: an estimated 70% of autographs are forged nowadays. Because it's so easy to fall prey to these scams, avid baseball fans need to be extremely careful to make sure their baseball autographs are genuine.
Of course, the best way to ensure authenticity is to get an autograph straight from a baseball player. It is possible to obtain baseball autographs at games, although players are becoming much less accessible to the public than they used to be. Nonetheless, baseball autographs are still easier to get than most other types of sports celebrity signatures. The best chances for acquiring them are at minor league games. Sometimes autograph-signing booths are set up so that fans can approach players for signatures. A good piece of advice is to arrive at a game early, since that is usually the best time to approach baseball players.
Purchasing baseball autographs is riskier. Dealers of autographed baseball cards, autographed baseball bats and similar memorabilia can be found everywhere: at sports auctions, on the internet and even at flea markets. The trick is to know which dealers to trust. Authentic autograph dealers should belong to professional autograph dealer associations such as the Manuscript Society. As for internet auctions, the best course of action is to avoid them. From autographed baseballs to autographed baseball cards, countless forgeries are sold online for easy money.
When searching for authentic baseball autographs, nothing beats plain common sense. It's important to be on the lookout for slick dealers' tricks. A classic online maneuver is to have an unclear or unusually small picture of a signature. In such cases, it's obvious that the dealer is hiding something. Another thing to look out for is the minimum bid at auctions. If the price for a highly coveted autograph is much lower than it is known to be worth, something is suspect. It's also important to know beforehand what a given celebrity's signature looks like; obvious differences in handwriting may then be spotted right away.
With scams so rampant nowadays, finding authentic baseball autographs can be problematic. Fortunately, with a little extra research and care, it's not impossible to find honest dealers. From autographed jerseys to autographed baseball bats, any fan who knows what to look for will be sure to find it.
Sources:
McCann, Mike. "Minor League Autographs." BaseballGuru.com. Mike McCann. 2005. 31 Jan. 2008. baseballguru.com/bunko/analysisbunko37.html
"Autographs of Baseball Players." MoneyMatters101.com. 2008. 31 Jan. 2008. http://www.moneymatters101.com/antiques/bbautograp hs.asp
"The State of the Baseball Autograph Business in 2007." Helium. 2002-2008. 31 Jan. 2008. http://www.helium.com/tm/279950/comes-autograph-bu siness-these
Simon, Richard. "Baseball Autographs." About-Autograph-Collecting. Richard Simon Sports, Inc. 2008. 31 Jan. 2008. http://about-autograph-collecting.com/baseball_aut ographs.htm
"Autographs 101." Autographs101. 2008. 31 Jan. 2008. http://www.angelfire.com/biz5/puru777/
In the early years of baseball, collecting players' autographs was no more than a simple way for baseball fans to commemorate their heroes and look back on memorable times. Over time, collectors began seeing an opportunity in selling baseball autographs for money. Businesses and auctions dealing with autographed baseball memorabilia emerged everywhere to make a profit. Now more than ever, with the growth of the internet and online auctions, the buying and selling of baseball autographs has increased in popularity. Unfortunately, modern technology has also created opportunities for crooks to sell fraudulent signatures for an easy profit. The problem is serious: an estimated 70% of autographs are forged nowadays. Because it's so easy to fall prey to these scams, avid baseball fans need to be extremely careful to make sure their baseball autographs are genuine.
Of course, the best way to ensure authenticity is to get an autograph straight from a baseball player. It is possible to obtain baseball autographs at games, although players are becoming much less accessible to the public than they used to be. Nonetheless, baseball autographs are still easier to get than most other types of sports celebrity signatures. The best chances for acquiring them are at minor league games. Sometimes autograph-signing booths are set up so that fans can approach players for signatures. A good piece of advice is to arrive at a game early, since that is usually the best time to approach baseball players.
Purchasing baseball autographs is riskier. Dealers of autographed baseball cards, autographed baseball bats and similar memorabilia can be found everywhere: at sports auctions, on the internet and even at flea markets. The trick is to know which dealers to trust. Authentic autograph dealers should belong to professional autograph dealer associations such as the Manuscript Society. As for internet auctions, the best course of action is to avoid them. From autographed baseballs to autographed baseball cards, countless forgeries are sold online for easy money.
When searching for authentic baseball autographs, nothing beats plain common sense. It's important to be on the lookout for slick dealers' tricks. A classic online maneuver is to have an unclear or unusually small picture of a signature. In such cases, it's obvious that the dealer is hiding something. Another thing to look out for is the minimum bid at auctions. If the price for a highly coveted autograph is much lower than it is known to be worth, something is suspect. It's also important to know beforehand what a given celebrity's signature looks like; obvious differences in handwriting may then be spotted right away.
With scams so rampant nowadays, finding authentic baseball autographs can be problematic. Fortunately, with a little extra research and care, it's not impossible to find honest dealers. From autographed jerseys to autographed baseball bats, any fan who knows what to look for will be sure to find it.
Sources:
McCann, Mike. "Minor League Autographs." BaseballGuru.com. Mike McCann. 2005. 31 Jan. 2008. baseballguru.com/bunko/analysisbunko37.html
"Autographs of Baseball Players." MoneyMatters101.com. 2008. 31 Jan. 2008. http://www.moneymatters101.com/antiques/bbautograp hs.asp
"The State of the Baseball Autograph Business in 2007." Helium. 2002-2008. 31 Jan. 2008. http://www.helium.com/tm/279950/comes-autograph-bu siness-these
Simon, Richard. "Baseball Autographs." About-Autograph-Collecting. Richard Simon Sports, Inc. 2008. 31 Jan. 2008. http://about-autograph-collecting.com/baseball_aut ographs.htm
"Autographs 101." Autographs101. 2008. 31 Jan. 2008. http://www.angelfire.com/biz5/puru777/
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