If you have been thinking about starting a Entertainment memorabilia collection, then there are some very important guidelines you should keep in mind. Remember whether you collect for the investment, or for your own enjoyment. Regardless of which, you should still only buy that which you truly enjoy. While there are definitely trends in the varying collectors markets, it can be difficult to call any of them a sure bet when looking from an investors point of view. While many segments of the memorabilia market has shown growth, there are never any guarantees. By collecting that which you truly enjoy, you build yourself a bit of a defense against lack of market appreciation. If you collect things solely for worth, and they do not appreciate, you are left holding something you cannot even have a personal worth in.
Another general principle to consider when it comes to collecting memorabilia is that you should be attempting to buy the best pieces that are available within your price range. Although it may be tempting for you to consider acquiring as many items as you possibly can in the shortest possible period of time in order to get the ball rolling on your collection, you should be taking your time and trying to buy one really great piece every year rather than trying to buy a number of pieces that are more mediocre in terms of quality.
Quality versus quantity is something that should be your mantra when it comes to collecting memorabilia. In a period of ten years’ time, your collection is going to command a much greater level of respect if you contain just a few really exceptional pieces rather than a larger number of pieces that are merely average in nature.
When it comes to going shopping, one of the most important things that you are going to want to keep in mind is provenance. When you do some due diligence on the material’s source as well as the story that surrounds it, then you will be better able to protect yourself from being a victim of fraud, and there is plenty of fraud out there. There is a magazine known as Forbes Collector Magazine which reported in the year 2004 that as many as 75% to 90% of all autographs that are sold on eBay are fraudulent according to experts. You need to know your source, and you need to choose reputable auction houses and dealers when purchasing memorabilia to collect.
Many of the pieces of memorabilia that are being sold online come with a letter of authenticity, or a certificate of authenticity. Make sure that this is really a legitimate piece of evidence that your autograph is real, by tracing the history of the COA or LOA rather than just accepting it to be fact.
Photo Credits: subflux
Originally posted 2009-11-15 03:45:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
