The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles - May 2012
Gleaning Insights on Amassing Baseball Souvenirs from Marshall Fogel's Expert Advice
Wanna dive into the world of baseball collectibles? Check out the May 2012 issue of The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, where the article "Baseball Fever: Everlasting Collectibles" shines a light on the historical significance and financial rewards of investing in baseball cards, memorabilia, and more! So, what's it all about?
- Start by brushing up on the history of America's favorite pastime.
- Research the biographies of iconic ballplayers.
- Check out Professional Sports Authenticator's (PSA) website for expert advice on card grading, autographs, bat authentication, and picture verification, as well as the card registry section. (www.psacard.com)
- Grab some auction catalogs from the advertisers in The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles. Most of 'em are free!
- Dig through past sports auction websites to learn about popular baseball-related items and their market value.
- Get ready for the 33rd National Sports Collectors Convention, happening August 1, 2012, in Baltimore, Maryland! (www.nsccshow.com)
Now that you've got the basics, it's time to decide: Collect broadly, or delve deep? We say horizontally! This collecting method lets you gather not only cards, but also game-used bats, photographs, advertisements, programs, scorecards, trophies, pinbacks, and tickets too!
Collecting high-value pieces in different formats and excellent condition isn't just for the wealthy – it's all about historical relevance and commercial demand. Many sought-after artifacts are priced under $1,000, helping you diversify your investment and ride out market fluctuations.
Vertical vs Horizontal Baseball Memorabilia Collecting
Can't decide? Traditional collecting, or vertical collecting, focuses on specific subjects or teams, putting your resale value at risk. For example, collecting everything Brooklyn Dodger-related could result in a lot of overlooked items. On the other hand, going broad, or horizontal collecting, forces you to think about what to collect as much as how. Investing in demand will yield better returns, such as splurging on a high-graded Mickey Mantle card compared to a rare but unpopular player's card, even if it costs more. Remember the saying: "Collect what everyone wants, not just the obscure." Collectors come and go, but desirable items are timeless!
So, whatcha think about baseball memorabilia collecting?
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- Delving into the financial aspect of baseball memorabilia, investing in high-graded Mickey Mantle cards, for instance, can provide better returns due to commercial demand, even though they might be more expensive, contrasting with collecting everything related to an obscure player.
- Apart from investing in baseball cards, horizontal collecting allows one to collect not only cards but also various memorabilia such as game-used bats, photos, advertisements, programs, scorecards, trophies, pinbacks, and tickets, thus diversifying investment and minimizing risks associated with market fluctuations.
