History of Sports Memorabilia and Collectibles

The history of sports collectibles and memorabilia began with sports cards, particularly baseball cards inserted in tobacco boxes. This was during the 1800s when the hype of inserting cards inside product packages became a popular marketing strategy not only in the tobacco industry but even in soaps, and later within bubble gum wrappings.

Among those promotional cards issued by tobacco companies, the T-206 Honus Wagner became the most popular even until today. It is in fact considered as the "Mona Lisa" of all sports cards and is one of the most rare sports cards

In the dawning of the World War II until 1950, there was a halt in producing sports cards from different companies. In 1952, collectible cards came back to business when the chewing gum manufacturing company, Topps, produced sets of innovative collectible cards bearing colored portrait of a baseball player, team logo, and other statistical and biographical information.

The card sets were also larger than its earlier versions derived from the tobacco cards. Because of the innovation, Topps cards were considered the first true baseball card set. Then on, more cards were released to the market from various manufacturers.

Examples of Sports Collectibles today

Sports collectibles is not limited to collectible sports cards but also to collectible and autographed sporting uniforms and equipment in football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, soccer, and boxing. Here are sports collectibles and memorabilia available in the market today

Sports Trading Cards

These are the pioneer in the sports collectibles industry. They were the first forms of sports collectibles (as baseball cards) and until today, they remain to be the most popularly collected among sports collectors.

Rookie Cards

There has been a lot of confusion on the real definition of what a rookie card really is. Some say a rookie card is called such when it is the first time that an athlete appears on a sports trading card. Others also believe that the first time a manufacturer features an athlete in a card, such card is called a rookie card. A safe definition of a rookie card is a card that features an athlete during his rookie year in the sport

Autographed Cards

These are signed sports trading cards by the athlete. Generally, sports autographs add more value to a memorabilia. However, signatures must be authenticated to be called as real sports memorabilia. Uncertified autographed cards are still considered collectibles

Vintage Cards

Sports Cards are considered vintage when they are produced or released during pre-1980s. Because of their age, they are highly collectible and valuable and can become even more expensive through time.

Graded Cards

Graded Cards are those sports cards that were evaluated and authenticated by independent card grading services. There are many factors that are looked upon to grade a card such as centering, borders and corners, surface, condition, and eye appeal. Cards with high grades (GEM-MT 10: Gem Mint as the highest) have higher market values

Game Worn Jerseys and Uniforms

Among the top ten most expensive sports memorabilia are the jerseys of baseball legend Babe Ruth. Basketball jerseys, particularly from the National Basketball Association (NBA) today are also very widely collected. A Kobe Bryant LA Lakers Jersey could cost more than $3, 700.

Game Used Sporting Equipment

Game used sporting equipment may include football helmets, baseball bats, basketballs, boxing gloves, etc. Famous among sports enthusiasts are baseball bats and balls. The world’s oldest hockey stick (1850s) became recognized as the most expensive non baseball sport memorabilia after it was sold for $2.2 million in 2006.

Event Memorabilia

This type of sports collectible or memorabilia includes tickets, programmes, and photos taken during the actual game. In football and rugby for example, it has been a tradition to buy a tournament program before entering the stadium. As these accumulate in every match, they can become collectible items. A signature of a football superstar will even add more value to this sports memorabilia (sentimental or monetary value at that).

Sports Bobbleheads

A bobblehead is a type of collectible doll originating in the 1950s. It usually has an oversized head attached to the body by a spring that when tapped, the head bobbles (moves up and down like a nod). This kind of doll may vary in designs – from popular cartoon characters, politicians, Hollywood actors and celebrities, or animal miniatures. The most collected are the sports bobbleheads featuring different sports superstars.

Well, that´s it for now, good luck adding to your Collections and if you need any additional help, take a look at my blog/website where I list my favorite resources that I use regularly to enhance my own personal Collection

Steve Hill

http://meetsteve.net -

#1 Resource for Autographs/Memorabilia/Posters/Comics