Photomatching is still one of the strongest ways to verify game-used sports memorabilia. A jersey, shoe, helmet, bat, glove or ball can sometimes be matched to a real game photo by looking at details that are unique to that item. That can include stitching, stains, loose threads, wrinkles, dirt marks, scuffs, manufacturer quirks, number placement, … Read more
In September 2016, California passed a new law, Assembly Bill 1570 (AB 1570), aimed at providing stronger protections against the fraudulent sale of signed sports memorabilia (California Legislative Information). Unlike earlier regulations, which mainly focused on sports memorabilia, AB 1570 expanded the rules to apply to all autographed items sold for $5 or more. The … Read more
Autograph grading autographs — or any signed collectible — has become more than just a way to verify authenticity. It’s a financial strategy. A slabbed signature carries weight in the hobby, adds legitimacy, and can drastically increase resale value. But the real question is: Does grading actually maximize your return on investment? Everyone loves to … Read more
On September 19, 2024, Ohtani etched his name into baseball history with a feat no Major League player had ever achieved: a 50/50 season—50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. That night, in a historic matchup against the Miami Marlins, Ohtani delivered a performance for the ages: six hits in six at-bats, including three home … Read more
Trevor Lawrence shows how brutal the modern football card market can be. He entered the NFL with everything collectors like. First overall pick. Franchise quarterback. Huge college career. Big Jaguars hope. The hobby did not wait for the career to happen. It priced the dream immediately. In March 2023, a 2021 Panini National Treasures Rookie … Read more
Beckett Offers Conflicting Opinion on Previously Graded Michael Jordan-Signed RookieCompany “Unable to Render an Opinion” on Autograph It Certified in March 2023. It’s another case of the Michael Jordan autograph controversy, which has gained momentum since the Netflix documentary The Last Dance and driven the value of signatures to new heights. The authenticity of a … Read more
A rare 1984–85 Star Co. rookie card of Michael Jordan is currently up for auction at Goldin. After just one week, bidding has already climbed past $120,000, and with the buyer’s premium factored in, the price now sits at roughly $147,000. The steady stream of bids – well over 70 so far – underscores how … Read more
Some memorabilia should not be treated like normal collectibles. That sounds strange coming from someone who writes about buying, selling, framing, authenticating and displaying sports memorabilia. I like private collections. I understand why someone wants a signed jersey, a game-used bat, an old Olympic item, a medal, a torch, a program, a ticket, or a … Read more
The New York Yankees are not just a baseball team. They are one of the few sports brands that moved far beyond their own sport. You can see the Yankees cap almost anywhere in the world. New York, London, Tokyo, Berlin, Paris. Many people wear the interlocking NY logo without knowing much about the roster, … Read more
The Air Jordan 7 is not just another retro sneaker. It was a shoe Michael Jordan actually wore during one of the most important stretches of his career. Jordan played in the Air Jordan 7 during the 1991–92 NBA season, won his second straight championship with the Chicago Bulls, and also wore the model during … Read more