Thinking of starting your own collection of sports memorabilia? Don’t know where to start? These 7 tips will help you head in the right direction in your collecting quest and will surely make the journey more enjoyable. 

Sports memorabilia is becoming more popular these days with people either choosing to consider it as a hobby or an investment. You might have been thinking about getting an autographed ball or jersey from your current favorite player and that’s what sparked your interest in starting a new and wider collection. Like some other forms of collectibles, sports memorabilia can be worth a great amount of money if you know what to collect and where to find these rare collectibles. However, as a beginner, you may not know where or how to find these hidden gems. For now, following these 7 simple tips will help you start your collection on a good note. 

#1 Decide What You Want To Collect 

As a first step, you must have a clear idea in your head of what you are interested in and want to collect. Let’s say you have an old sports card that you’d like to add to a broader collection. Start from there. Find out what you’re most enthusiastic about and would really like to display in your home or even make as an investment and that would be your big push. While sports memorabilia can include photographs, balls, helmets, uniforms, and much more, it would be best for you to focus on one thing at a time so that collecting would feel easier and more organized. 

#2 Know Your Budget 

After deciding on what you want to focus on while collecting, it is important to set a budget for yourself. Determining how much money you are willing to spend on your collectibles will definitely help in narrowing down your options. For example, you wouldn’t think about getting an autographed Shaquille O’Neal basketball if you’re on a tight budget. It’s also good to keep in mind that you would need accessories, such as display cases and frames, to help secure your valuables. 

#3 Educate Yourself 

Typically, when you learn more about something you love, it would become much more fascinating to you. Not only that, but getting deep into information related to your collectibles would eventually make you a knowledgeable and professional collector, which is something every collector aspires for. One way you can do that is through the tons of guide books on the internet that can help you in figuring out how much an item is worth, how to avoid fraud, and even the value and history behind that item. 

#4 Make Sure of Your Sources 

As with other famous collectibles, since sports memorabilia is becoming incredibly widespread these days, this has opened up space for fake items, forgeries, and scams. That’s why it is essential for you to make sure where you’re spending your money and on what. Our advice is not to be deceived by low prices, if you’ve encountered any sports equipment for a very low price and seem suspicious, follow your gut. Ask questions, and ensure that you’re getting your valuables from a trusted dealer, website, or any other source.  For example, at The Franklin Mint, all sports memorabilia comes with a certificate of authenticity, which makes the people buying these collectibles sure that they are real and from a trustworthy source. 

#5 Get Appraisal 

As a beginner collector, it is important to get professional advice and appraisal. By the latter, we mean checking for their value. Whether for insurance purposes or just for you to be confident about what you’re purchasing and investing in. You can do the research yourself, however, it is sometimes not possible to spot the things that make your item diminish in value. These details are why you would need assistance from a local professional appraiser.  

#6 Join a Forum

Being in this journey of collecting all on your own can sometimes make it boring. Making friends who share the same interests would be a great idea in this case. Consider joining a group or forum that specializes in sports memorabilia, that way you can meet and connect with other enthusiastic collectors and learn new information from them that will make collecting all the more fun. 

#7 Patience Is Key 

This might be the most important thing to consider while searching for your desired sports collectibles. Remember, joy lies in the journey, and the journey of putting together a valuable collection takes time. So, be patient and enjoy your quest. If you did not find that very rare and important sports equipment, don’t rush it and panic because eventually you will. 

Whether you decide to pursue collecting sports memorabilia as a hobby or investment, following these 7 steps will definitely help you get started on this life-long journey. 

Happy collecting!