Purchasing Certified Autographed Memorabilia

When I was a kid it was exciting to get an autograph from a pro player. I might meet a Dodger before a game at the ball park and have him sign my autograph book or possibly go to a card show where a Laker player would be signing. Maybe attend a summer sports camp and get a photo or baseball autographed by a pro baseball or soccer player. You can still do this today but it's much harder to get close enough to an athlete then it was 20 years ago. In a less then perfect world there are people who take advantage by forging autographs and try to resell them as the genuine article. What can you do to get an autograph if you can't meet your favourite athlete or star in person? How do you know when you purchase an autograph that it's the real thing? Why should you spend your hard earned money on an autograph that you are not sure is genuine? Good questions......

This is the reason why major multi million dollar sports autograph companies were formed.  You can protect yourself and buy an autograph of your favourite player that has been certified 100% authentic. These companies contract athletes and stars so that their representatives can work with them to bring authentic autographed goods to the marketplace.  Some of these companies have been in business for more than a decade, serving the hobby and its collectors.They set up autograph sessions with current athletes and past greats. Upper Deck Authenticated, Steiner Sports, Mounted Memories, Tri Star, Schwartz Sports and Radtke Sports are some of the top sources for genuine autographed collectibles.

These totally reputable companies sign exclusive deals with the athletes. The items are certified with secure holographic stickers on the items or with serial numbers tying the item and its certification number to the certificate that accompanies each item. Sometimes you can even go to a local sports card and memorabilia  store and get an autograph from an athlete in person or purchase an item from a private signing that an athlete has done. Whether you are purchasing a Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Muhammad Ali or Tom Brady autograph and paying from $500- $5000 or buying an autographed photo of my boyhood idol, the great former Dodger Steve Sax, you should care that your items come with a certificate of authenticity from a top company that sells genuine autographs. Do your homework, ask a lot of questions, your collection is worth it. I know mine is!

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