Game Used Memorabilia

By Dee Dee Smith

Game used bats, jerseys and balls are all the rage in sports collecting today.  These collectibles could be something as common as a jersey or helmet or as unique as a home plate, a tennis shoe or tire fragment from the Indy 500.  Just about any equipment or other item involved in the play of a game or competition is up for grabs amongst collectors interested in game used memorabilia.  

On the market, game used collectibles are much more valuable than non-used collectibles.  Consider a Kerry Wood autographed bat.  A signed, unused bat is currently valued at about $200, but a Kerry Wood game used bat can conceivably go for well over $1000. 

Game used collecting has grown in popularity over the last decade.  But is it a good investment? 

Before you decide if a piece of game-used memorabilia is right for your collection, you should consider the following.

Just as with other memorabilia, the athlete or player connected to the collectible may determine whether it is a good or bad investment.  Memorabilia from sports greats such as Hank Aaron, Julius Erving or Joe Montana are not only safe investments, but are sure to yield great returns in the future.  On the other hand, a used sneaker from a young player like Jarvis Hayes of the Detroit Pistons might be desirable to a young fan, but would be worth almost nothing to an investor. 

Additionally, game used collectibles from events such as the Super Bowl, World Series or All-Star game are highly desired items.  These items, along with game used memorabilia from Hall of Famers or Olympic Gold Medal winners, will more than likely increase in value.  

The popularity of game used memorabilia has started a trend in the sports card industry.  Over the last few years, sports card companies have included pieces or fragments of game used memorabilia as part of their insert sets.  These inserts are both popular and valuable in the trading card industry.  Minting companies have also seen the value of game used collectibles.  Many photomints include a piece of game used memorabilia, such as a fragment of a bat, a swath of jersey or a hand full of stadium dirt. Because photomints cost considerably less than a game used bat or jersey, this is a way for sports collectors on a budget to become a game used memorabilia collector.   

Fraud is a major problem within the game-used memorabilia market.  For this reason, authentication from a reputable company is of great importance.  Your own knowledge of the market will also help to protect you against scams.  Game used collectibles should not look brand new or untouched.  That may seem like common sense, but some collectors may overlook this.  Knowing the habits of and other details about a player can also protect you from being scammed.  What size and what brand of shoe does the player normally wear?  Is the item you’re considering purchasing that brand and size?  Many athletes change over the years in the type of equipment they use.  What year is this collectible said to be from?  Was this the brand of bat or style of glove your favorite player was using during the year from which your memorabilia supposedly came? 

Because game used memorabilia is such a big investment, you’ll want to be sure to take every precaution to be sure what you are buying is authentic.  Many reputable companies will supply a letter from the athlete saying that this is the glove or ball they used during a particular event.  Additionally, there should be a Certificate of Authentication from a reputable source guaranteeing the authenticity of the collectible. 

Game used memorabilia can be a wonderful addition to an already established collection, or a collection within itself.  Many of these collectibles will simply bring joy to the owner’s heart.  After all, isn’t that really what collecting is all about?  Nonetheless, the market for game used memorabilia is still somewhat new.  It is difficult to say what will happen in the distant future.  Making wise choices and taking precautions, however, should put you in the best position to make a wise investment.

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