Collecting Autographs: Persistence, Smart Choices are Key

Collecting autographs can be almost as enjoyable as watching the games that your favorite athletes play in. Every sports fan will have his or her own favorite athletes and teams, and although you can only dream of being in their shoes, you can collect pieces of history as you get autographs from your favorite players.

It's a thrill to meet a player personally, whom you have followed through his career. And there is certainly not a better way to remember the meeting than with an autograph. If you're at a game, you probably have a program or roster that he could sign, but if you take a photograph or collectible ball or jersey, imagine how much more that autograph will mean, and what a prominent place it will have in your collection.

If you deal with other collectors and purchase autographs, you have to be careful that you get the real signatures. Unless you get something signed in person, you'll want to be sure that your ball, photo, bat or helmet is from a reputable dealer, preferably one who utilizes one of the popular authentication services. Sports collecting news sites are full of stories about bogus autographs flooding the market in the 1990s.

The way to start in collecting autographs on your own and in person is as simple as waiting at the fans' area by the players' locker room, after a game. Always remember to be polite when you address your favorite players. They probably get hounded a lot for autographs, and it's simply not possible to sign everything for everyone - they would be there all night.

Be sure to say please and thank you when you are collecting personal autographs. If you don't have a chance to meet players, if there are no prominent teams in your area, then dealing with collectors and autograph sellers is the easiest way, although there is more money involved. Even if you trade autographs with other fans, you will want to have someone knowledgeable check out the autographs you are receiving in trade, to make sure they are genuine.

You can also ask for autographs by mail. Most sports teams list their postal address somewhere on their website, and you can write to your favorite players, in care of the team offices, and include a photograph of the player and a self-addressed stamped envelope (generally called an SASE) so that your favorite player can sign the photo and return it to you.

If you buy autographed sports items such as photographs, balls, jerseys or other memorabilia, it's a good idea to utilize a quality and trusted site, that feature reputable autograph authentication. True memorabilia will mean much more in your collection.

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For more information on the best place to buy Autographed Sports Items as well as the best in Sports Collecting News be sure to check out these sites.

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