For many hockey fans, jerseys are among the most popular memorabilia, and game-worn and signed hockey jerseys are often the most prized items in a hockey fan’s collection. For the newbie, however, the prospect of signed hockey jerseys can seem rather daunting. Acquiring the autographs is not easy, and if you purchase them instead, then you have to worry about fakes and high costs.

Acquiring the Signatures

Getting a hockey jersey signed can be a challenging but rewarding process. One of the most common ways to get autographs is at the games themselves, although grabbing a player’s attention in the tunnel or during pre-skate can be hit or miss – more miss than hit usually. The better way is to stay after the game, and wait near the area where the home players exit.

The easier, but often more expensive way, to get a jersey signed is to take it to a signing. Most players, even the big stars, do at least a few charity-related signings in their team’s local area every year. If you’ll be travelling, you can often monitor signings directly on the NHL team’s website. The sites usually provide a 2-4 week notice, so you can plan your travel accordingly. This issue with this method is that autographs can cost anywhere from $5-$100, and you often have to stand on line for a long time.

Authenticating the Signature

Once you’ve acquired the signature, you’ll probably want to have it authenticated. Of course, you know it’s authentic, but with authentication from a respected firm, everyone else does too, plus it has much higher resale value. Also, the sooner you authenticate it, the easier and cheaper the process will be. Authentication can be performed through mail, and all the big authenticators do travelling shows, so you can just wait for the show to come to your area.

Buying Signed Hockey Jerseys

When buying signed hockey jerseys, you must be prepared to spend more than it would cost to pay for the jersey, signature and authentication. Some sellers add ridiculous premiums. But note that fair prices also include the time and energy you don’t have to spend. In fact, buying a jersey directly is generally more cost-effective than acquiring it yourself, if you shop wisely. Unless you’re in it for the thrill of the hunt, we definitely suggest buying through an online retailer or auction.

Signed jerseys are available in several styles: game worn, team issued, authentic and non-authentic, including semi-pro and replica. Signed game-worn jerseys have by far the most long-term value. Team issued, on the other hand, has nice worth for the individual, but it’s generally no more valuable than a standard authentic jersey is.

Signed semi-pro and replica jerseys can be rare since there less popular, but that rarity doesn’t make them any more valuable. In fact, these jerseys have limited value and even often depreciate. There’s nothing wrong with them if they hold worth for the individual, but we’d avoid them as an investment.

Fakes

Due to the prevalence of top-notch authentication services, fakes are relatively easy to avoid. As a rule, never buy a signed item that doesn’t come pre-authenticated. There is the possibility of faked authentication, which is why most people should avoid private dealers. The top online auctions have safeguard mechanisms in place that let you get a refund in these cases.

Looking for a Autographed hockey jerseys? Be sure to visit the biggest selection of Hockey autographs online to get your favourite signed treasures.

Looking for a Autographed hockey jerseys? Be sure to visit the biggest selection of Hockey autographs online to get your favourite signed treasures. http://www.ajsportsworld.com

Author Bio: Looking for a Autographed hockey jerseys? Be sure to visit the biggest selection of Hockey autographs online to get your favourite signed treasures.

Category: Sports
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