Alex Rodriguez, Yankees third baseman

Of course, the most recent admission of steroids comes from Alex Rodriguez. This admission is particularly damaging to baseball and sports collectibles as many fans viewed A-Rod as the last great hope to break Bonds’ home-run record legitimately. A-Rod was, in many ways, the poster child for clean, steroids-free success in baseball.

Until last week.

Even though the results were from five years ago, the fact that A-Rod took steroids is a crucial blow to the sport. No longer does baseball have that hope that the home-run record will be taken back by a clean player. More importantly, this latest steroids admission just further sullies an entire era of players. Unless evidence comes up to the contrary, people are going to cast a skeptical eye toward any player from this period, and that’s the biggest shame of it all.

So, what does this mean for A-Rod’s collectibles?

If history is any indication, the demand for A-Rod’s memorabilia is going to decline drastically. The reasons for this are simple.

1. Parents aren’t going to spend hundreds of dollars on collectibles of a known steroids user for their kids.

2. A-Rod likely won’t get into the Hall of Fame, drastically reducing the value of his collectibles.

3. A-Rod’s numbers are tainted and meaningless. In short, they no longer add value to collectibles.

4. Many sports memorabilia shop owners refuse to carry pieces of known steroids users.

Just do a quick check on eBay to see how collectors are responding to this. Some 795 A-Rod pieces are up for sale, and most of them are sitting there with no bids or interest.

Alex Rodriguez 1994 Foxes card

Another A-Rod Foxes car

Two cards from A-Rod’s days on the minor-league Appleton (Wis.) Foxes. To learn about the one on the left, click here. For the one on the right, click here.

And it’s not just because fans are holding some high moral ground. It’s because collectibles from the steroid age are more and more proving to be poor investments.

That’s why I think A-Rod’s positive test doesn’t just affect him—it affects this entire era. Fans and collectors are starting to see how widespread the problem of steroids is/was, and they’re going to respond accordingly.

How will they respond? By buying collectibles from the pre-1980s. Players like Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Roger Maris, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and many others will now be held in even greater regard as the value of the numbers they put up and of their collectibles sharply increases as the modern era takes yet another black eye.

So, if you’re looking to make an investment, look to the past. Until this steroids issue gets taken care of once and for all, I wouldn’t feel comfortable sinking my money into any player from recent times.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

The quarterback is arguably the most important player on an NFL team. How many times have you seen a great QB leading a fourth-quarter drive to take his team to victory? It happens all the time, and the great ones know how to do it best.

While this article can’t cover every great QB to ever toss a pigskin, it will touch on a few I haven’t yet had a chance to honor.

Without further delay, here are some of my favorite collectibles from the game’s top field generals.

• John Elway Signed Pewter Helmet—When you mention great quarterbacks, John Elway simply has to be on the list. During his highlight-filled career with the Denver Broncos, Elway earned nine Pro Bowl selections, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, the NFL MVP, a Hall of Fame induction and two Super Bowl rings.  The truth is this short section isn’t enough to do Elway’s career justice. But true football fans know what he meant to the game. My favorite John Elway collectible is an autographed helmet made of 100-percent pewter. The helmet has the inscription “2004 Hall of Fame” and “Super Bowl XXXIII MVP.” Because of the pewter, this unique collectible weighs nearly 10 pounds! It’s valued at more than $2,000.

• Dan Marino Signed ’84 Jersey—During the same time that Elway was leading game-winning drives, Marino was terrorizing defenses with his passing abilities. He’s the only rookie quarterback to start the Pro Bowl. In his second season, he put together one of the greatest seasons ever, earning him the MVP. Marino was a regular at the Pro Bowl, and he holds more passing records than I have room to list. Despite never winning a Super Bowl, this Hall of Fame QB is undoubtedly one of the game’s all-time greats.  Signed uniforms are great collector’s pieces. These collectibles can easily be framed and displayed on a wall. This Dan Marino signed jersey is a 1984 model (the year he won the MVP) of the Dolphins home uniform. It’s a great collectible to remind fans of a historic NFL season in which the Dolphins went 14-3, advancing to the Super Bowl where they lost 38-16 to San Francisco ’49ers. The jersey’s value is just more than $1,000.

• Johnny Unitas/Peyton Manning Signed Helmet—Long before Manning was wearing the Colts uniform, Johnny Unitas was revolutionizing the game of football. During the ’50s and ’60s, Unitas was earning a reputation as the game’s greatest quarterback. He was selected to 10 Pro Bowls, won three MVPs and won a Super Bowl. And he led the Colts to victory over the New York Giants 23-17 in what has been called the Greatest Game Ever Played—the 1958 NFL Championship. He is a Hall of Fame quarterback that will never be forgotten.  I think the Johnny Unitas/Peyton Manning signed Colts helmet is a great collectible. It’s a piece that captures both the old and new era of the NFL through two of the game’s best QBs. This collectible can be found for around $2,500.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

Other stories by Eric Brantner:
Sports E-cards
Sports Collectibles Memories
Brett Favre collectibles
Mannings Spawn NFL Collectibles
Young NBA Stars: Collectors’ Slam Dunk
Verdict Puts Squeeze on O.J. Collectibles

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

To begin, it’s important to define who is your average sports-memorabilia collector. I’m not talking about the people who bid hundreds of thousands of dollars on rare pieces. Of course, those really high-end collectors will continue to acquire expensive rare pieces despite how bad the economy gets.

I’m referring to the collector who visits his local sports-collectibles shop or who browses online auction sites regularly to find new pieces to round out his collection. Has this economy squeezed them out of the market?

Sports-collectibles spending taking a hit

Judging from the reports from various sports-collectibles shows and dealers around the country, for now, the outlook is bleak. The number of dealers attending collectibles conventions has declined significantly over the past year. The bottom line is many people are cutting back their spending, and sports collectibles isn’t a necessary expenditure for them.

Worthologist Howard Lau (owner of Houston Sports Connection) confirms this point saying, “Right now, people are viewing sports collectibles as something that’s not a necessity but rather a luxury.”

Rarity items are still stong

While the rarity pieces that attract wealthy buyers seem to always have their market, how are the more expensive mainstream pieces (signed jerseys, helmets, etc) holding up? It seems this is the segment of collectibles currently taking the biggest hit. Your average sports-memorabilia collector just can’t afford to drop $1,000 on a signed jersey from his favorite player. Instead, he’s opting for lower-priced pieces that fit his budget.

But making a living by selling low-priced items can be difficult for card-shop owners. That’s why many dealers are pinning their hopes on a holiday-spending surge to boost their bottom line before the end of the year. It’s too early to say how much money will be spent on sports collectibles this holiday season, but it’s clear that for some dealers, their fate lies in the success of holiday sales.

Lau is optimistic there will be a holiday push, saying he believes “people will buy last-minute sports-collectibles gifts for Christmas.”

How can dealers get through the crisis?

So, what can dealers do to weather this economic storm? I believe focusing on a specific niche could prove valuable for sports-collectibles shop owners. For instance, pieces that have held their values for a long time will always be desirable. Vintage autographs, rare cards and big-name pieces (Michael Jordan, Mickey Mantle, Ruth, etc.) are proven investments that are safe to buy because they’ll always be valuable.

The demand for these pieces will always be there. And in difficult economic times, collectors are likelier to buy proven collectibles than take a chance on new, unproven pieces that could plummet in value.

No one can predict where the world of sports collectibles will be in a year from now, but I think there is hope for the market. As long as dealers are willing to make adjustments to help the average collector, the hobby will weather this storm.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

Montana was best known for his ability to stay cool under pressure. As the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana started in four Super Bowl games. The 49ers won all four of those championships. In short, the guy just knew how to win. He always seemed to find a way.

Montana was selected to eight Pro Bowls, he led the NFC in passer rating five times, he was a three time Super Bowl MVP, and a two time AP NFL MVP. This doesn’t even begin to cover all of Montana’s amazing career achievements.

Joe Montana is probably best remembered for his playoff performance against the Dallas Cowboys in 1982. During the NFC Championship Game, Montana completed one of the greatest comeback drives in league history. With over 4 minutes left to play, the 49ers were losing 27-21. Montana led his team steadily down the field into Dallas territory. With about a minute left on the clock, San Francisco faced a third down from the Dallas six yard line. Montana made an off-balanced pass to Dwight Clark who made a leaping catch in the end zone to win the game. It was truly a defining moment in Montana’s Hall of Fame career.

So, which Joe Montana collectibles should you keep your eyes open for?

- 49ers Autographed Helmet- Although Montana played his final seasons as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, he’s best known for his 14 year stint in San Francisco. Guiding the 49ers through their most successful era in franchise history, Montana established himself as one of the greatest players to ever step onto a football field. Autographed Joe Montana 49ers helmets can be found for around $500. I think they make a great addition to any sports memorabilia collection.

- Joe Montana Signed Football- Montana’s ability to toss the football might never again be matched. When I think of Joe Montana, I remember all the times he brought his team back from what seemed to be sure losses. He always knew how to win. A signed Joe Montana football is worth around $400. You should store it in a glass case, and keep it in a dry place away from excessive sunlight.

- “The Catch” Autographed Picture- As I mentioned earlier, the defining moment in Montana’s Hall of Fame career was the pass he threw to Dwight Clark. This is known in the sports world simply as “The Catch.” Since this is such an important moment in football history, I think an autographed picture of the moment is a must have for any football memorabilia collector. With the signatures of both Montana and Clark, this 16×20 collectible is valued at close to $600.

But things weren’t always like this. Back in the day, most players flew under the radar and always said the right things.

Then, along came Joe Namath. In my mind, Namath is the first NFL media star. The guy had the presence of any rock and roll star. He knew how to command attention wherever he went.

But to say “Broadway Joe” was just a publicity hound is to sell his career short. Make no mistake about it, Namath loved to talk, but he also loved to play the game of football. And he was pretty darn good at it. Enough so be selected to 5 Pro Bowls, win a Super Bowl, win 2 MVP awards, have his Jets number retired, and be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

As a result of both his huge personality and his on-field success, Joe Namath collectibles are always in steady demand.

Here are a few of the more commonly sought after collectibles.

- New York Jets Signed Helmet- Joe Namath played all but his final season with the New York Jets. He’s certainly the most well known player in the history of the team. For this reason, fans love to collect Jets helmets autographed by the outspoken quarterback. Namath autographed helmets are sold regularly for $600.

- 1969 Team Signed Photograph- One of Namath’s most renowned moments was when he guaranteed his team would win Super Bowl III. Fans and media got in a frenzy over the prediction, and Namath lived up to his word capturing the title. A team signed picture of this momentous occasion makes for a great collectible. It also makes for an expensive on as they regularly sell for close to $1000.

- Joe Namath Signed Super Bowl III Program- If you’ve followed this blog at all, you know how much I love programs. They are flimsy documents that fans can get their hands on, but I think they make for great collectibles. They document important moments in the history of sports. Unfortunately, they are rarely preserved properly. A signed Joe Namath Super Bowl III program is a unique collectible that would stand out in any collection. It’s value is just over $300 making it an affordable piece for most collectors.

You see, Sanders really was like something out of a video game. His ability to stop on a dime and to turn what should’ve been a loss into a 50 yard gain was absolutely magical. His career accomplishments are noting short of amazing. A few of them include Heisman Trophy winner, 10x Pro Bowl selection, Rookie of the Year, NFL MVP, and 2x Offensive Player of the Year.

In July 1999, Barry Sanders stunned the sports world by announcing his retirement at the age of 31. He was just one season away from breaking the all time record for yards rushed. Had he played a full career, he certainly would have put that record in a place that would never be broken again.

Here are a few of my favorite collectibles from this electric running back.

- Autographed Heisman Trophy Helmet- In 1988, Sanders was a junior at Oklahoma State. Many people regard this season as the greatest college football year in history. That season, Sanders led all running backs by averaging almost 8 yards per carry. He also averaged over 200 yards rushing per game. Sanders set several records during the 1988 college football season, and he was awarded the Heisman Trophy. This autographed helmet commemorates his Heisman Trophy season. It’s valued at just over $500.

- Barry Sanders Signed Lions Jersey- During his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions, Barry Sanders earned a reputation as one of the greatest running backs of all time. His Hall of Fame career is full of highlights no other player could achieve. Autographed jerseys always make for great collectibles as they help bring the game to life. A signed Barry Sanders Detroit Lions jersey can be purchased for around $400.

- Signed Barry Sanders Photos- Look around online and you can find all different types of Barry Sanders autographed photos. Most of these pictures capture the dynamic running back making a move to brush off several defenders at once. It’s these type of moves that caused Sanders to be a fan favorite and a Hall of Famer. You can find autographed picture collectibles of Barry Sanders for $150-$200.

The further we get from this historic accomplishment, the likelier it seems their record will hold up. It just seems too difficult to completely run the table in today’s NFL season. It’s a long, grueling season, and any team can win on a given Sunday.

Of course, any time a historic moment occurs in sports, there are many collectibles produced to document it.

Here are a few of my favorite collectibles from the 1972 Miami Dolphins perfect season.

- 1972 Dolphins Team Signed Helmet- This collectible contains the signatures of 8 vital members of the 72’ perfect team. Some of the more notable names on this helmet include Don Shula, bob Griese, and Jim Langer. To me, this autographed helmet is a collector’s dream. No other team has accomplished what these guys have. This collectible is valued at just over $800.

- Don Shula Autographed Orange Bowl Seat 17-0- I’m a sucker for unique collectibles. Any NFL collection is brimming with signed helmets, footballs, and cards, but few can boast an autographed Orange Bowl seat from legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula. The Orange Bowl was the venue for the 1972 perfect season. This collectible is a seat from the stadium with an autograph from Don Shula and the inscription “17-0.” For all discerning collectors, this piece can be purchased for around $300.

- Super Bowl Program- At Super Bowl VII, the 72 Dolphins completed their run toward football history. They did what no other team before or after them has done. They completed the perfect NFL season. Since I always talk about how much I love programs from great sporting events, it’s only logical that I’d include a Super Bowl program from the perfect season on this list. If you can find one preserved in good condition, I highly recommend picking it up. You’ll be holding a piece of football history in your hands!

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Since the early days of the game, legendary players from Ty Cobb to Babe Ruth to Hank Aaron to Derek Jeeter have earned their place in baseball history using a Louisville Slugger. The Louisville Slugger is the choice of 60 percent of all major league players. It’s a great bat and as Barry Bernson reports, the early Louisville Slugger bats are also great collectibles that command tens of thousands of dollars. Berson visits the Louisville Slugger Factory and interviews Rick Redman and Master Craftsman Danny Luckett, who has been making Louisville Sluggers for almost 40 years.

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In this video, Anne Jewell from the Louisville Slugger Museum talks about how partnering with collectors has made the museum stronger and better. Reporter Barry Bernson shows us the world’s largest bat and takes us inside this fascinating museum.

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In 1876, the Phillies were a charter member of the National League. In fact, they hosted the first game in National League history. Unfortunately, the franchise folded during the middle of the season. However, they came back in 1883, and they’ve been a crucial part of the National League ever since.

The Phillies first World Series visit was in 1915. They lost 4 games to 1 to the Boston Red Sox. The team would have to wait all the way until 1980 to win their first World Series. And you thought the Cubs’ fans suffered. Since their 1980 World Series win, the franchise has appeared in 2 World Series, 1983 and 1993, but they lost both times.

What follows is a list of some of the most unique and valuable Phillies collectibles. These document the rich history of one of baseball’s longest tenured franchises.

• 1915 League Champs Pennant- This pennant commemorates an important moment in Phillies history. 1915 was the first time the franchise made it to the World Series. They were the NL League champions. This pennant celebrates their league championship. Finding a baseball pennant this old usually means the collectible is in poor condition. Pennants are rarely preserved properly. However, a good condition 1915 Phillies League champions pennant is worth around $2000.

• 1915 World Series Press Pins- Press pins are some of the most exclusive antique baseball collectibles you’ll find. As the name implies, these are pins given solely to members of the press to wear on their lapels during the World Series. Finding a World Series press pin from the 1915 championship is a difficult task. Philadelphia press pins are priced between $6,000 and $11,000. A truly valuable collectible indeed.

• Mike Schmidt WS MVP Signed Ball- The 1980 World Series featured the Phillies against the Royals. The Phillies took the series in 6 games, putting an end to a nearly century long stint of no championship. Mike Schmidt was named the MVP of both the season and the World Series in 1980. He hit 2 home runs and drove in 7 runs over the course of the series. The Hall of Famer signed several baseballs with the inscription “1980 World Series MVP.” The balls are easy to find, but I think they still make for a great collectible. You can purchase them for well under $200.

Then, the 2008 seasons happened. Not only did the Rays end their losing ways, but they also won their division—a division with both the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. As I write this article, the Rays are in the ALCS up on the Boston Red Sox 3-to-1, one win away from going to the World Series.

From worst to first—how did the Rays do it? Young players have helped give the Rays a new winning image.
Here are collectibles from some of the rising youngsters on this Rays team.

• Evan Longoria—If you’re looking for collectibles to invest in, Evan Longoria memorabilia might be for you. Since making his debut earlier this season, the youngster hit .272 over 122 games with 27 home runs and 85 RBI. In his first two postseason at bats, Longoria hit two home runs, becoming just the second player in MLB history to accomplish this feat.

An array of Longoria is still available at very reasonable prices. For instance, an autographed Evan Longoria baseball can be found for less than $100. A signed bat can be purchased for close to $150. If Longoria’s career stays on its current path, these collectibles will skyrocket in value. Invest now, and it could pay off later.

• Carl Crawford—Even though Carl Crawford has been playing since 2002 and is the longest tenured member of the Rays, he’s still fairly young at 27 years old. Every season, Crawford has improved considerably, and he’s established himself as a true MLB All-Star. His future is bright, and he seems poised to keep improving.

Like Longoria, Crawford’s collectibles can still be found at affordable prices. If you’re looking to invest in Crawford memorabilia, you can buy autographed baseballs for around $80 each. His rookie cards are still very cheap, and they could make for great investments. As the Rays continue to have success, Carl Crawford’s talent will no longer be a secret. Think about investing in his collectibles soon.

• B.J. Upton—At 24 years old, this center fielder looks to be at the center of the Rays’ future success. In 2008, Upton hit .273 and stole 44 bases over the course of 145 games. However, the youngster still has a lot to learn. On two occasions, manager Joe Maddon disciplined the center fielder for a lack of hustle. I expect Upton to get past these growing pains and to have a successful future.

Since B.J. Upton is less proven than others on this list, his collectibles can be found at very low prices. Admittedly, he isn’t guaranteed to be successful. However, he seems to have all the talent necessary to have a great career. Pick up his rookie cards now while you can still get them for a few bucks at your local collectible shop.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

Other stories by Eric Brantner:
Chicago Cubs Collectibles

Antique Baseball Gloves

Red Sox Collectibles

Brett Favre Collectibles

Honus Wagner
Sports E-cards

Olympic Baseball Collectibles

Sports Collectibles Memories

Yankee Stadium Legacy Cards

Brett Favre collectibles

Sultan of Swat Collectibles

Mannings Spawn NFL Collectibles

The grading of sports cards has become a widely accepted method for verifying a card’s condition and authenticity. Grading was first introduced to the hobby in 1991 by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) of Newport Beach, Calif. PSA is a company spun off from Professional Coin Grading Service. It was first thought having an independent firm grading sports cards would do more damage to the hobby than help. However, by now, many have found it to be the basis for trading all sports cards of value.

To grade a card, you send it to a third-party company for authentication and state its condition. This company does not buy or sell cards as a business and is independent and credible.

Grading has many aspects. If any type of alteration to a card is evident, the card will be either rejected or placed in a holder without a number grade. In the second case, it will be noted that while authentic, there is “evidence of trimming,” that it has been “altered” or something similar. Unlike other hobbies, where cleaning or restoration of the collectible is widely accepted, in the sports card area, there is no allowance for any type of modification to a card. It must be exactly as issued to be graded.

The sports card industry has four accepted grading companies and in order of recognition, are usually ranked PSA first, then Sportscard Guaranty (SGC), Global Authentication Inc. (GAI) and Beckett. All are independent companies that strictly grade and authenticate sports cards, other types of cards and sports memorabilia. PSA is the oldest and most widely known. They are experts in all areas of the field, but it is SGC that is widely recognized for its special expertise in 19th-century cards and collectibles. This isn’t saying the other companies aren’t good, but SGC is considered by many to be the most knowledgeable in 19th-century material. Beckett is popular for grading newer (1980-present) sports cards, and GAI is very reputable in all areas.

These companies vary in their philosophy, history and approach. PSA was the first on the market. Many people collect just PSA cards, so the company has that edge. Beckett was the first to use true half-point grading ranging from 1-10 and is one of the last to enter the grading market. New card collectors seem to like the half-point grading. SGC uses a 1-100 scale that is equal to the half-point system, though I just feel it took people a while to get use to that system, thus giving Beckett the edge in new-card gradings. PSA, because of its longevity, and GAI have strong expertise in pre-1969 cards. To go one further, if choosing 19th-century cards, SGC would be first, PSA second, GAI third and Beckett fourth.

Grading a card can add great value to your collectible. At first, most people assume that one would grade just the star players, such as Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and so on, but there is great potential for grading the common players in each set, too. Each of these companies have what they call a set registry. Collectors can register their sets and compete against others for top spots (highest-graded cards) in each year. Card sets have been produced since the late 1800s, so collecting everything would be extremely expensive. Some collectors pick a year and set out to get the best card in that set.

How does grading increase sports card value?

You may ask how can a card increase significantly if graded? Well, with all the online auctions, major auction houses and very strong prices of rare sports memorabilia and cards, third-party grading gives buyers confidence that they are getting what they are paying for. I notice a significant difference in prices realized when selling a graded card in comparison to a similar ungraded card. The reason, I think, for grading midgrade cards is that cards on a 1-10 scale will grade 3-6 because a buyer doesn’t have the card in front of him or her when bidding. But if the card is graded a 5 by a reputable company, the bidder would know what to expect condition wise and be confident there are no hidden faults with the card. In other words, peace of mind is usually why cards in these grades bring higher money at auction.

Meanwhile, for cards graded 7-9, especially 8s and 9s of cards pre-1969, the card grade adds value in that the buyers know they are not only getting a high-quality card, they are also buying cards that are considered investment grade and have potential to increase in value.

Cards graded 9 and 10 bring top prices because they are usually the best of the best and the population (another factor in prices) is very low. The population is the number of cards in a particular grade in comparison to all the cards being graded. One example is if there are 2,000 of a certain card graded, and there are 3 graded 9 and 2 graded 10 and the rest are 8.5 and lower. When a 9 goes up for auction, it is not only being sought after by investors, but by people seeking to get the highest graded for their set in that year.

Ultimately, though, it comes down to supply and demand. I have seen common players from 1955 (and many other years) that would have a value of $15 if not graded, sell for as high as $4,000 graded as a 9 or 10. It isn’t because the producer made fewer such cards, it is just because getting one in a high grade is very difficult.

The most popular example of this I can use is a 1952 Topps Andy Pafko, card #1. Usually cards #1 and the last card of a set are tough to find in good condition because they are damaged from being on the top or bottom of a pile, have rubber-band marks and so forth. This particular card is worth about $500 in midgrade condition, and if graded up to the equivalent of a 4.5 grade, would sell for about the same price of $500. It’s when you get into high-grade examples that the price soars. Recently, this particular card graded an 8 sold for $81,000. It is a tough card in high grade, and set collectors along with investors are aggressively after it.

There are many cards that sell for 20-100 times their value when graded and in high grade. I could list hundreds of cards, but the main factors in determining high values for cards of players that aren’t major stars is the population of the card in the grade desired, along with the number of people collecting that set or player. You can have a very low-population card in high grade that won’t necessarily get a very high price if the set the card is from is one that is not popular with collectors. In that case, even though there is a low supply, there is just as low, if not lower, demand for it.

Again, while many star players in high grade bring high prices, it isn’t just the major stars that are increased in value by grading. The same is true for many common player cards. As with all hobbies and investments, investing in sports cards should be thoroughly researched before jumping in with two feet. Pick the areas of collecting and having your cards graded that suit your needs and desires.

Grading has many variables

To sum it all up, grading has many variables—the card, population of the card once graded and credibility of the grading company. I am not saying any one company is better than any other. Still, overall results show that if you take a pre-1970 card in the same grade but in the four different holders, chances are the PSA would get the highest price, SGC second highest, GAI third and Beckett fourth. Meanwhile, on post-1970 cards, it would be a close call between PSA and Beckett for top prices, SGC would be next and GAI last. I think this is just a matter of grader preference.

I have included pictures of miscellaneous cards that have been graded by the top four grading companies so that you can see what they look like in the various holders. There are more than these four companies, but the value of other companies’ high grades in comparison to these vary greatly. These four are considered the most credible companies in the industry. So saving a couple bucks and getting cards graded elsewhere will reflect greatly on the prices you can realize.

I noted the ratings by era not to confuse people but to show the different types of collectors and their preferences. This is an arbitrary rating, but I feel most would agree with the order I placed them by era.

While grading your cards can greatly increase your collection value and give it much more appeal to a potential buyer, it can also be very costly if you don’t get the grades you expect. So as noted above, proceed with caution, and always consult a professional for assistance so you don’t end up spending money on grading and not get any benefit from the service.

In short, the name Manning is synonymous with great football. They are nothing short of football royalty.

As such, it’s no surprise that this football family has produced a laundry list of highly desirable collectibles.

Here are a few of the top collectibles bearing the Manning name.

• Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning Autographed Photo—Is there a better collectible to start off this list than an autographed 16-by-20-inch photo of football’s first family? It features a collage photo of each of the three Mannings in action. It’s a great collectibles for documenting the family tree of one of the NFL’s most influential and recognizable families. This signed photograph is valued at $600.

• Peyton Manning Autographed Super Bowl MVP—For years, fans questioned Peyton’s ability to win the big one. All throughout his career, he came up short during the most important games. It seemed as if he might never win a Super Bowl. Then, in Super Bowl XLI, Manning led his team to victory, and he earned the Super Bowl MVP in the process. This signed Manning Colts helmet has an inscription of Super Bowl XLI on it, making it a unique, valuable collectibles. It’s estimated worth is $800.

• Eli Manning Team Signed Super Bowl Jersey—Just one year after his brother, Peyton, made Super Bowl history, Eli followed it up with a win of his own. The Giants shocked the undefeated Patriots in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. This collectibles is an Eli Manning jersey signed by the entire 2007 Giants team. It’s a great testament to the power of being united as a team and never giving up. This rare collectible will set you back well more than $2,000.

More stories by Eric Brantner:

How to Start a Baseball Card Collection

Where to Find Baseball Cards

How to Store Your Baseball Cards

Chicago Cubs Collectibles

Antique Baseball Gloves

Red Sox Collectibles

Brett Favre Collectibles

Honus Wagner

Sports E-cards

Olympic Baseball Collectibles

Sports Collectibles Memories

Yankee Stadium Legacy Cards

WorthPoint—the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles

Babe Ruth was one of these athletes. Even today, more than 70 years after he last set foot on the baseball diamond, everyone knows his name. And it’s not just sports fans who appreciate Babe Ruth—Americans from all walks of life recognize him as the legend he is.

Ruth is arguably the most dominant player in the history of baseball. He holds too many records for me to list here in this little blog. In short, Babe Ruth is a once-in-a-lifetime baseball player the likes of which may never be seen again.

As the result of his groundbreaking career, the market for Babe Ruth collectibles is at an all-time high. So with the last game having been played in Yankee Stadium, the House that Ruth Built, let’s look at a few of the most interesting (and valuable) Babe Ruth collectibles.

• Babe Ruth Game-Used Jersey—Authentic Babe Ruth memorabilia is valuable. Period. An authentic game-used jersey is even more valuable. Antique game-used jerseys like this are fairly rare because players were only issued a few jerseys per season. Recently, a 1933 Babe Ruth Yankees pinstripe jersey sold at auction for more than $650,000. The fabric of this jersey showed slight wear and tear, which I think actually enhanced the appeal of this collectible. What I wouldn’t do to have a Babe Ruth game-used jersey

• Babe Ruth Autographed Baseball—Autographed baseballs from Babe Ruth aren’t exactly the rarest collectibles. Babe was known as a generous guy who always signed autographs for his fans. That being said, it’s still an antique autographed-ball from the greatest baseball player of all time. So, it’s highly desirable and valuable. These pieces of memorabilia routinely fetch more than $20,000 at auctions throughout the country.

• Babe Ruth Signed Game-Used Bat—Just the other day, WorthPoint’s very own Howard Lau scored a rare piece of Babe Ruth memorabilia at an auction. The collectible was a Babe Ruth game-used bat that was signed for a Broadway star. To say this collectible is rare is an understatement, but Howard was very low key about his find. I guess that’s how it is when you own one of the premier sports memorabilia shops in Houston, but I know I’d be bouncing off the walls if I had landed that collectibles!

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