Technorati Tags: football autographed, football autographs, football signature, sports autograph, sports autographs, sports memorabilia

It’s a problem – let’s not fool ourselves. On the surface it seems like a pretty easy scam – I’ll just copy someone’s signature, stick it on ebay and before you know it I’ll have made a fortune.

Well, unfortunately that seems to be the thought process of a number of scammers that exist out there. So, our job as collectors, fans etc is to keep as vigilant as possible and make sure we’re not one of the scammers victims.

So, how do we go about doing this? First off – make sure if you aren’t actually getting the autograph in person yourself (ideal scenario!) then get a Certificate of Authenticity. ‘Great - end of story, job done. That was easy’- you may be thinking. Well, unfortunately it ain’t that easy. You see the COA is good, but it’s far from foolproof and does not guarantee that what you’ve got it authentic. People make mistakes when authenticating, so to minimise your chances of being caught out then I would tend to suggest you need to do some homework.

If you go online you can check signatures from established traders. Have a close look at the pictures that are available online, get to know the autograph in question and study it well. You can save these pictures, or print them off (check re: permission first though) and take them with you when going to see an item. Obviously you need to make sure you are printing off a picture from a reputable website / dealer so I’d tend to suggest you use UACC or IACC accredited sites. If you know that a dealer is reputable then so long as you feel completely happy using them then that’s fine too.

There is an issue with more famous subjects. The more famous they are the more likely you are to come across a counterfeit autograph. It makes sense. So, if you come across the opportunity to buy a real ‘biggy’ then make sure you do as much homework before hand as possible. Some autographs can fetch thousands, so if you’re contemplating spending any amount that would hurt if you lost it then take your time.

At the end of the day if you are not comfortable with making a purchase then maybe you need to walk away. If you’ve done your background work though maybe you won’t have to walk and you can go and grab that football autograph with confidence.

Technorati Tags: football autographed, football autographs, football signature, sports autograph, sports autographs, sports memorabilia

If you’re not able to actually physically get in front of your desired autograph writer then one option is to use the good old postal service instead. In order to do this with maximum effect here’s a few top tips to ensure you get that football autograph you’re after.

No.1 - If possible write the letter to your subject yourself in your own handwriting. If this isn’t possible or sensible (depending on your handwriting!) then don’t stress – typing a note will be just fine.

No.2 – When writing the note / request please keep this fairly short and to the point. Much as I’m sure your chosen subject would like to hear about your friends and family the chances are they’re fairly busy people. A short polite note about how much you admire them, or a comment about how you’ve followed their career for ‘x’ years (for example) will usually do just fine. Oh, and don’t forget to ask (politely) for the actual autograph!

No.3 – And please don’t ask for 20 signatures! One or two are usually fine, but the more you ask for the less likely you are to get them. Remember, by sending a letter you are basically interrupting them. They were probably doing something else before they opened your letter – so please don’t ask them to spend too much time on your request. Chances are they get quite a few of these daily so go easy on them!

No.4 – If you have a photo you took of them – great – send that to be autographed. If you are a collector / fan what better reward than that? Also, it’s that bit more personal and that’s usually appreciated by the player.

No.5 – You wouldn’t believe the number of people who forget to do this. If you’re requesting a signed card / pictures (or whatever) make sure you put in an appropriate Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (i.e. right size, and enough postage). No remember, no autograph.

No.6 – Finally, if sending a photo be to signed you may want to place the photo between two stiff pieces of card when sending. This just helps ensure it gets there and back in better shape. Also, the old ‘Please Do Not Bend’ note written on the envelope is a good idea too.

Technorati Tags: football autographed, football autographs, football signature, sports autograph, sports autographs, sports memorabilia

It’s 5.11 EST on the 15th August 2008. Michael Phelps has blown everyone away with his performance at the Beijing Olympics - and is probably going to continue to.

When Mark Spitz was asked about what it would mean if Phelps got 7 Golds at this Olympics he said it would be like being “the second man on the moon.” When asked what it would mean if Phelps achieved 8 Golds he said it would be like being the “first man on mars”. We’re witnessing something pretty amazing here - and guess what? His autograph is reflecting that in financial terms.

A few weeks ago you could have picked up an autheticated autograph (one of the 300 fans of the Game cards he signed) for about $60 (that’s a professionally graded card). Now, if you have a look on ebay we’re talking about $450 - for an ungraded one! And he doesn’t even have the 8th Gold (yet!)

So what does this all mean? Well - the long and short of it is if you choose your subjects well you can do extremely well. Sure - there’s an element of luck involved here. But, think about it - how big a surprise is Phelps’ performance? Could it have been predicted?

If you do your homework you should be able to narrow down the best bets for the future. There will be the obvious ones, but with a bit of time and effort you might get the new ’star’ before everyone else.

So, a good investment? Well - I’ll let you answer that one…

Technorati Tags: football autographed, football autographs, football signature, sports autograph, sports autographs, sports memorabilia

If you are new to collecting football autographs, or just need a friendly reminder there are a few key points to always bear in mind when adding to or starting up a collection.

1. Buyer Beware. It’s the old adage, but it’s one that stands out as the single most important aspect when buying or starting a football autograph collection. If you see a football signed by Dan Marino, for example, for $20 then alarm bells should start ringing. If it doesn’t ring true then there is probably a good reason for that.

2. Valuing an Autograph. It’s not as easy as you might think. An autograph from one player does not always automatically mean it is worth ‘x’ dollars. Do some homework on this and get a feel for the price ranges. Consider the quality of the signature, was it a special occasion, the condition of the material the autograph is on etc etc.

3. Check that the timelines all add up. If you see a ball signed with a marker pen that claims to be from the 1940s then that just doesn’t add up! Keep your wits about you and don’t rush into a purchase unless you are sure of what you are buying.

4. Certificates of Authenticity. If you are given one of these then you can rest easy? Not necessarily. It’s extremely easy to reproduce these documents with a laser printer at home. Check with the relevant authenticator for key signs to look out for. Also, check the document over at least twice. Do a bit of background and become as knowledgeable as possible. A certificate of authenticity should be a bare minimum with any purchase.

5. Be wary of purchasing merchandise over the internet unless it is a reputable company with a long track record. If testimonials are available check these – if not, then ask for some. Don’t feel shy about requesting this information – it is in your best interests at the end of the day

6. If you are quite serious about collecting you can join a relevant association or organisation. These can be great for getting tips on how to go about collecting, and also with ideas on what to watch out for.

7. Best of all – get the autograph in person. Obviously this is the ideal situation if you are able to. Clearly you will have no doubts about the legitimacy if you’ve actually obtained it yourself.

8. Check the Merchandise. If you are able to and circumstances permit check your prospective purchase online. Use this tool to check pictures of it to help ensure you are purchasing what you think you are.

9. Check for Misspellings. You’d be amazed at the number of ‘genuine autographs’ that don’t even have the names correctly spelt. Keep your eyes peeled and be vigilant.

10. Buyer Beware! Yes - I know, I know – I’ve said it already but it’s worth highlighting again. Unfortunately there are a number of scammers out there. Take your time, do your homework and if in doubt walk away. It helps you sleep at night…

Overall, you just need to be vigilant and if you can, do some homework before buying a football autograph. And remember, this is fun – so get out there and enjoy yourself!

Technorati Tags: football autographed, football autographs, football signature, sports autograph, sports autographs, sports memorabilia

When you are looking to get an autographed ball (or whatever) from a pro-footballer, or any other pro sports person there are a few points that you really need to bear in mind.

First off, try and think about the situation from their perspective. They may have just walked off the field after the most gruelling day of their lives. They may have lost a huge game in the dying seconds. They may have blown the best chance they will have for years in the Superbowl. Who knows - but whatever the situation, try to bear it in mind. They may not be too receptive to having a ball and pen shoved in their face! Tact - that’s what’s called for here.

Another thing to keep in mind is ‘do your homework’. This may sound a little silly - but trust me it happens - please make sure you know who you are talking to. If you are looking to take up someones time to get an autograph it’s kinda nice if you know who they actually are. And it’s always a good idea to demonstrate that too when you talk to them. Everyone likes hearing their name when people are talking to them - pro footballers are no different. It strokes the ego, and it also shows you are a fan and have some interest in who they are and what they do (and are not just there to scavenge any autograph you can!)

You need to make sure you have something to be autographed (and no, skin doesn’t count). Take a proper autograph book, a jersey or an autograph football (my preference). And take a pen! One that works is preferable - saves an awful lot of embarrassment all round. Personally, I take two - just in case.

If you can’t make the event in person, and you can’t talk a friend into going to the game instead then an alternative approach is good old fashioned mail. You can contact the home stadium for address details of where to send post. Don’t worry about trying to send it to their house - it might spook people a little, plus you can be at least as successful by sending it to the team HQ.

If sending a request for an autograph by post make sure you enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope for it to be returned. Obviously you will need to include the item you want signed - use your discretion here. Common sense should prevail. If you are a bit unsure go with the safer options.

It is common courtesy to also include a bit of a note requesting the football players autograph, and I always find a brief acknowledgement of their achievements, or why you like them so much etc goes a long way. Remember, they don’t have to do this - so massaging the ego often goes a long way.

Don’t expect an instant reply - these guys may receive several requests daily, so be patient.

Technorati Tags: football autographed, football autographs, football signature, sports autograph, sports autographs, sports memorabilia