Football Memorabilia And Collecting It

The world of collecting football memorabilia has experienced changes. Many years ago, going to various locations to see football matches was encouraged by the thought that you might just be lucky enough to get a favourite player's autograph. That program you bought as a memory could now be worth a small fortune perhaps!

If you are reading this as a football memorabilia collector, or considering becoming one then a great way to start is by searching the Internet for reputable auction houses. Add to this a search for established and reputable dealers and you will have given yourself a good foundation. Certain "Cup Final" programs can fetch a great deal of money, from hundreds to thousands of pounds each. Remember though, that there are many collectors across the world searching for that "big buy". This is part of the financial side of being a football memorabilia collector. However, a true collector is just as interested in the story behind an item as the item itself. Certain memorabilia may bring back important sentimental memories for a collector.

Never underestimate the value in being a football memorabilia collector. If you are serious about your chosen hobby, it is hard, exacting work but rewarding and fascinating at the same time. Do not think you are going to start and have a program signed by "Becks" thrust at you at a bargain price. It should not happen and if it does, beware! In any big money business the fraudsters are always waiting for the unwary. Fabulous offers are there for the taking and their references seem impeccable. However, something that is too good to be true generally is! There are many genuine, well-established dealers globally; very willing to give advice and help you avoid the undesirables in this industry.

Football has a huge following globally and therefore you do not have to confine yourself to one particular item or aspect of the game. Television has brought the game into most homes on the planet and since the World Cup in 2010, interest has expanded remarkably. This in turn has stimulated the collecting of football memorabilia and brought into it new and ambitious collectors, eager to capture the best memorabilia offered. Unfortunately,this almost euphoria has brought with it even more sophisticated criminals who are even more adept at producing all forms of articles, references and items to fool the genuine collector.

Generally, football memorabilia collectors will find little difference between collectable items of today and those classified as antique. Programs, shirts, shorts and boots worn by football stars in recent and bygone years are in demand. The trend of the market is towards rising prices, with some collectors looking at collecting as a very practical form of investment. For example, Christies sold a pair of David Beckhams football boots for 14,000. The rising cost of obtaining football memorabilia is in some ways limiting collectors in what they can buy. However, the huge expansion of the game is creating increasingly available memorabilia from many different countries and stars. With the international trend of players and club competitions, specialist collectors are finding more challenges to pursue.

Football cigarette cards, originally established their presence in the late 1920's and early 1930's. Companies producing cigarette cards included recognised names such as John Player, Ogden's and Lambert & Butler. In the highly inflated world of today, these small cards, once the playthings of schoolchildren, are among the most sought after collectibles of vintage football memorabilia.

The game of football is from every aspect is big business, with thousands of items of football memorabilia going on auction or sale every month. Joining forums and collectors clubs will ensure that you keep up-to-date, with any specialist auctions held by established auction houses. Generally, you will not find items that will make you rich. However, you will find memorabilia of interest and maybe even some that will bring back memories if you are a player or fan of the game.