That is certainly true now that the United States has concluded its most recent election. The fact that it is historic, in that the first African-American has ascended to the office, also means that the political items associated with the campaign may, indeed, have a more lasting value than usual. Or maybe not.

You see the collectibles industry has certain criterion when evaluating what is significantly valuable and what is not. First, what is it? If it is an unusual political item beyond the normal bumper sticker, button, T-shirt, newspaper or poster, then the item is automatically desirable, and its value is higher.

This collectible, still showing its vibrant colors, is listed on GoAntiques.

Then, how many are there? With newspapers, for example, the printing of special editions means that there are so many more of them, and so individually, they may only retain a sentimental value through the years. A political button created only for the convention has a higher value than one commercially produced, for example. Severely limited and signed posters work, too. A signed football, T-shirt or baseball cap will always be limited to just a relative few.

The baseball sold at auction in September for $414. Check out Worthopedia for more details.

Nelson Whitman of Capitol Coins and Stamps, a venerable political and presidential items collector with his own shop in the heart of Washington, D.C., for more than 30 years, has said that an innumerable number of Barack Obama items were produced. “I have over 400 different buttons, many posters, bumper stickers, programs, tickets and other commemoratives, and all are selling like crazy to everyone in all walks of life,” Whitman said. You can visit Nelson’s online store to get an idea as to the quantity of available Obama collectibles.

Condition of the item matters, too. To take the newspaper example above, if there is a significant issue with a high value, but sections are missing or the cover is not pristine, the value drops significantly. If it has been cut or framed, the value is diminishes as well.

Autographs hard to authenticate

And lastly, can the item be authenticated? For autographs, this is sometimes problematic. I always counsel that an autograph should be on an event program or ticket. It immediately places that individual at a known location and is therefore easily authenticated. A signed photo or any item that was not signed in front of the collector is automatically suspect. It is possible for a staff member, an autopen that signs the signature by machine or a stamp to be affixed to an item that appears to be authentic, but is not.

So, to find a political collectible that will have lasting value:
• Find something completely out of the ordinary.
• Find something where there are relatively few in existence.
• Be sure the condition of the item is as close to pristine as possible.
• Trace and document its provenance so that the item can be easily authenticated.

If you can achieve all that, then you will have a collectible that can be handed down through generations both as an item of family history and as a high-value heirloom.

If you’re interested in this piece of history, more details can be found on GoAntiques.

It should be noted that collectibles aren’t just to look at. Sometimes they can also foretell the future. Worthologist Jim Warlick predicted quietly last spring that Obama would win, as the sale of his political buttons far outstripped the sales numbers of Hilary Clinton and John McCain combined. He has even gone so far as to post poll numbers, based on the sales results of buttons. His USA Button Poll has been correct for every election since 1992 (except for the very close one in 2000). This year, his button poll was pretty close, predicting a 56-44 win for Obama. The actual numbers were 52% for Obama and 46% for McCain.

By Tom Carrier, WorthPoint Worthologist, specializes in Flags and Political Memorabilia

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

The 2008 election cycle is upon us and the caucuses and primaries will help choose the next president of the United States. This is an historic event and there will be many opportunities for collecting political memorabilia. But to have the best chance of collecting worthwhile long term collectibles with real value, here are a few hints to observe:

Campaign Buttons:

- collect a campaign button for every candidate and try to get the candidate to sign it for you in magic marker, including the third party candidates,

- find the campaign button that is specific to region, state, or local, i.e., “New Hampshire Supports Hillary Clinton” is a local button made in limited numbers and more scarce,

- get the button with the candidates photo

- find the “fantasy” button that lists the front runner with a possible VP candidate,

- collect the candidates that also list a local or state candidate, known as “coattail” buttons

- always pick up third party candidates, particularly with their name and photo

What to Sign:

- Get a candidate to sign items that provide immediate provenance such as an event ticket, program, a bumper sticker, postcard of the area they are appearing, small campaign signs, newspapers of the day of their appearance, press release, etc.

- If they have published a book, a signature in the book is helpful.

- Stay away from outsized items that won’t display well such as very large convention signs, huge event props, very large posters. If you can’t carry it, it shouldn’t be signed.

- If you are collecting for resale, have them sign without an inscription, only their signature.

When having something signed for you, do this:

- Prepare. Attach a yellow ‘stickie’ to your item that says: To Tom’ and have a pen ready.

- When the candidate approaches, give them the item and a pen and say “Good to see you. Hope everything is going well.” They will know what to do and will hand it back when they are finished.

- Keep focused, though. With a crush of people, you could lose your item if you are not concentrating.

Winners and losers:

Real value comes from items signed by the eventual winners, not the runners-up. That is why it is important to get as much signed by as many candidates as possible. Even the candidate that goes on to be vice president has a higher value than those candidates who have failed to make the cut.
Still, a complete collection of all the candidate signed buttons makes for a great collectible later on, because at least one of the candidate has won.

Inaugural items:

Unless it is really unusual, a glass bowl, a sterling silver something, inaugural items have little collectible value. There are too many made. However, only the official Inaugural Seal items become more collectible than the commemorative items produced and sold by gift companies. The official Congressional Inaugural packets and programs are the most desirable inaugural collectible, except for photos of the new president-elect from on top of the West Front of the Capitol.

Good hunting. Getting good political memorabilia is hard work, but the payoffs can last for years.