A lot of old sports stuff was never supposed to become “an asset class.” It sat in binders, shoe boxes, dealer cases, childhood bedrooms, garage shelves, old shop inventory and those weird plastic pages that always felt slightly sticky. Then the people who grew up around that stuff got older, got jobs, got bonuses, sold … Read more
When COVID-19 shut down the world, few expected one of the biggest beneficiaries would be… trading cards. But as people stayed home, rediscovered old hobbies, and watched “The Last Dance,” prices for iconic sports cards – especially Michael Jordan rookie cards – skyrocketed. What was once a nostalgic pastime became a global investment trend. Pre-COVID: … Read more
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
In today’s global marketplace, it’s easier than ever to buy trading cards, autographs, and sports memorabilia from sellers around the world. One country that often causes concern for collectors is China. The market there is huge—especially for basketball cards and modern collectibles—but it’s also a hotspot for fakes and counterfeits. So how do you know … Read more
For collectors who own an impressive collection of trading cards and sports memorabilia, managing and organizing such a collection can be a challenge. However, with the right tools and strategies, you can not only maximize the value of your collection but also ensure its security and long-term management. Here are three essential lessons to keep … 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
Sports autographs are one of the most personal parts of collecting. A signed basketball, jersey, rookie card, photo, or pair of shoes can feel very different from a regular collectible. That is also why fake autographs are such a big problem in sports memorabilia. Few athletes are forged as often as Michael Jordan. Why Michael … Read more
