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What is a Sports Memorabilia Appraisal?

Medha Godbole
It is extremely essential to get a sports memorabilia appraisal done if you plan to spend a fortune on the same. Tap through to find out what exactly should you keep in mind before you get it done.
Collecting sports memorabilia has been a hobby nurtured by sports lovers and enthusiasts since a very long time now. It acts as a great reminder of the joy of being passionate about a sport and your favorite sportsmen.
Further, if you could make sure that the collectibles are authentic, then there can be nothing better than that. To be able to do that, you should at least have a basic understanding about sports memorabilia appraisal, something that will help you get appropriate value for your memorabilia as well as your money. Here is some information on the same.

Determining the Value of Sports Memorabilia
There are a number of aspects which determine the value of a sports memento. From the fact of how vintage it is, to the intricacy in its workmanship, it is all put under the microscope. Let's see how.

Workmanship

When it comes to workmanship, the factors such as its craftsmanship, the style in which it is made, its competence with other memorabilia of the same genre, its representational qualities, and its ability to stay at par with items of equal value are considered.

Present Condition

It is pretty clear that no one would buy or sell sports memorabilia without checking them and ensuring that they are in a good condition. A need to do this arises if the item has been used a lot by its previous user.

A Battered Baseball Bat
In other cases, even a really battered baseball bat can be sold or bought, but not unless it has been used by a baseball great.

Vintage Memorabilia

This is where the age of the memento comes in. Who does not like to own vintage sports memorabilia and flaunt it? The age of the item is significant for determining the value as well as the authenticity of the memorabilia.
If you are looking for a helmet signed by a football great, from a few years back, it needs to be worn out! It cannot be all shiny and as good as new.

Autographed Collectibles

Some autographed collectibles that have been ignored for a few years, might make a comeback, and then out of the blue, they may find a product niche.
Internet makes advertising for sales items very easy, so you can check that out. Interestingly, here, the price of autographed collectibles can increase as a number of similar items are put up on offer at the same time. Do a bit of a research and understand which ones to collect, so that you know how collecting that particular item will be lucrative.

Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship and the way in which the item is made does add value during appraisals and the authentication process.
Although, a lot of times, there is not much of intricacy, craftsmanship, or artistry involved in a sports item.

Where are These Appraisals Done

There are many places where you can get sports memorabilia appraised and checked for authentication.

The Baseball Card
About baseball cards, The Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles or The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards by Bob Lemke are worth the money.
Also, you can go to a certified expert in the concerned field. Other options include mailing the details of the collectible in question to the concerned authority for appraisal. Evaluations and appraisals are done by American Legends. Another guide - Krause Standard Catalog of Sports Memorabilia Price Guide, can help you determine the value of your item.
Apart from going to an expert in this field, try your luck at sports memorabilia auctions, which will give you a rough idea about the value of your collectibles. The chances of finding specialists and experts in renowned sports goods and shops are higher and better.
You can just walk in and get your item appraised. But you should remember that a free appraisal is a distant dream. If it is a collectible that is extremely popular and rare, then it would be an even bigger task.
At the end of the day, if you are seriously looking at collecting sports collectibles, then getting them appraised is a must. Your satisfaction, your sentiments towards the item, and of course the resale value too, are the deciding factors.