music memorabilia on shelf

Continuing where we left off from last time, we will further discuss how to source authentic signed memorabilia.

Learning Indicators in Acquiring Authentic Items

After joining the collector's community and participating actively, you'll start picking up clues that will help you spot and prevent memorabilia fraud. While it may sound bureaucratic, the memorabilia hobby should be seen as an industry whose participants are primarily interested in making money. You can reduce the odds of falling victim to fraud in any given transaction by being extra cautious and sceptical whenever you deal with new or unfamiliar things.

Here are some signs that you'll pick up and utilise as you progress in the activity. It's important to note that awareness alone isn't sufficient protection against fraud; rather, years of experience and study in the hobby are required to begin comprehending and avoiding scams.

What Are the Signs to Look Out for in Terms of Authenticity?

  • The Item Itself

Observing the physical object is the first indicator. You'll learn, with experience, to recognise the signs of a genuine product and confidently make a purchase. Consider the flow, size, slant, and pressure of an autograph, as well as the subtle details, like how Michael Jordan's "M" spells out "23" when written in a certain way.

To provide yourself with a solid foundation, you should gather up a set of known real examples to evaluate against. The process of learning and mastering this is not a quick one, unfortunately. Although it may be challenging, we believe that the finest tool for becoming an expert in a certain field is the ability to recognise patterns and trends.

  • The Price

The adage "if it's too good to be true, it probably is" should serve as a mantra for collectors of memorabilia. Although savvy collectors and a few lucky individuals can find bargains from time to time, a low price usually indicates authenticity concerns. It's still a good business move to buy something that sells for roughly $1,000 for $800 and then resell it for $1,100, but you probably shouldn't expect to pay $100 for it.

The product market in modern society is so open and easy to track that serious collectors will rapidly discover a rare or valuable item and try to acquire it before you even get a chance to hear about it. The collecting community's opinion on an item's authenticity can be inferred from its price: if the general view was that an underpriced item on a popular platform was real, it would be purchased very quickly.

  • The Seller Profile

The seller is the final factor that will be discussed. Companies like Fanatics, Panini, and Upper Deck have built established reputations as sellers of genuine memorabilia thanks to their long track records and partnerships with celebrities to exclusively sell goods that come straight from them.

A one-time seller is someone who is trying to unload an unrelated item and probably doesn't know anything about collectables. That being the case, it's highly unlikely that their sales history or reputation will provide any clues as to their legitimacy. Therefore, you should use the aforementioned clues to assist you in forming a judgement about legitimacy.

The collector seller is not a professional dealer but is instead trying to liquidate an item from their collection for personal reasons. There is likely to be some sort of overarching theme running across this vendor's stock, whether that's a certain type of media, a certain sport, or a famous person. Beyond recognising the warning signs stated above, asking questions is your best bet when dealing with this kind of vendor.

Conclusion

Sourcing authentic signed memorabilia can be a great investment and rewarding hobby if done with care. To ensure that you are getting an authentic piece of memorabilia, it is essential to research the item, know the seller, and compare the item to other authentic pieces. Additionally, it is important to look for authentication from third-party experts. By following these steps, you can guarantee that you are getting an authentic piece of memorabilia that will be a great addition to your collection.

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