Hockey Memorabilia Investment: Strategies and Considerations
One of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold was Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers jersey. It went for a record-breaking $1.452 million at auction in 2022. The jersey was worn on May 26, 1988, and commemorated the last time Gretzky would be an Oiler before being traded to the L.A. Kings.
While you may not have this one-of-a-kind collector's piece in your own collection, you never know where the next big hit will come from. Sports memorabilia like Autographed Hockey Jerseys and Autographed Hockey Pucks can be a great addition to any burgeoning or seasoned sports memorabilia collector's repertoire.
Are you looking to start investing or building up your collection of signed sports memorabilia? Then keep reading below for tips, tricks, strategies, and considerations you can use to invest in hockey memorabilia.
Check for the Item's Condition
The condition of your autographed memorabilia can drastically impact its worth. When it comes to Autographed Hockey Jerseys you need to check for stains and discoloration, rips, and tears. Having a mint-condition autographed hockey jersey attracts other potential collectors looking to buy.
Items in pristine condition typically command higher prices. The only exception being game-worn jerseys. If a game-worn hockey jersey has wear and tear relating to a significant game or event, this may increase its value.
Signed sports memorabilia that is in good condition also enhances its display appeal. Framed Autographed Sports Jerseys make great decor items for personal collections, as well as museum displays.
Search for Rare and Unique Items
Sports memorabilia, like the Gretzky jersey mentioned above, is worth more because it's the only one in existence. This scarcity can drive up the value with certain collectors who are looking for rare pieces. It's also unique because it's the last time that Gretzky played for the Oilers.
Limited-edition and rare pieces of sports memorabilia can be in higher demand with collectors. Finding unique, rare, or limited-edition sports memorabilia is a great way to boost your investing strategy. You can potentially make even more if it's autographed since the value will hold up or increase over time.
Consider Historical Significance
Another hockey jersey of note is the Paul Henderson 1972 Summit Series jersey. It sold for $1.3 million in 2010 and was once the most expensive hockey jersey on record before Gretzky's Oilers jersey took the title. Paul Henderson gained notoriety when he scored a tie-breaking goal in the last minute of the eighth and final game in the series against the Soviets.
Items that have a strong cultural or historical significance can have a higher value due to connections in history. This applies to significant game events like Henderson and Gretzky's. The first or last games for particular players can have high historical value, especially for a sports memorabilia collector looking for legacy items.
Diversify Your Collection
Autographed Hockey Jerseys are great collector's items. But it's important to have a collection with a variety of other signed sports memorabilia too. You can also include items from different teams and time periods for further interest.
If you're looking for sports memorabilia that won't break the bank, consider Autographed Hockey Pucks. With Autographed Hockey Pucks you can find game-used items from specific events or team games. You can also find them signed by various players like:
- Nikita Kucherov
- Ilya Sorokin
- Vladimir Tarasenko
- Jacob Markstrom
- Milan Lucic
Another way to diversify your signed sports memorabilia collection is with autographed hockey photos. Collecting autographed hockey photos allows sports enthusiasts to capture players in iconic moments accentuated by their favorite players' signatures.
Protect Your Collection
Investing in sports memorabilia can be costly, so it's vital to protect these investments. This is particularly true of autographed memorabilia. You don't want to go to all the trouble of seeking out your signed sports memorabilia, only to neglect it later on.
You need to ensure that your items are kept out of direct sunlight, which can cause the items and their signatures to fade or discolor. You also must make certain that you don't store your items in places with excess humidity or moisture, like a damp basement.
Keep Autographed Hockey Jerseys and Autographed Hockey Pucks in protective cases or frames. Autographed hockey photos should be stored in frames with acid-free photo mats or in protective photo sleeves. You will also need to store photos vertically to prevent bending or warping.
Authenticate Your Items
Authenticating your sports memorabilia is an important part of the collecting process. If you choose to sell your signed sports memorabilia at any time, you will need to verify the legitimacy of the items, especially for game-used or game-worn items. There are a lot of counterfeits and fakes out there.
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is the most common way to prove the legitimacy of your items. A COA could also have a unique serial number associated with the item and the signature of an autograph authenticator. Some may also have a sticker or hologram that verifies it's genuine.
The same can also be said if you are looking to buy an item for your collection. You want to know that you're getting the real deal. So, always look for a COA to verify this information.
Document Your Collection
Documenting your collection is key to being a successful memorabilia investor. You will need to keep track of what you paid for your item originally and where you bought it from. You should make notes of why these items are particularly important or potentially valuable and document the conditions of your Hockey memorabilia.
You also need to track whether or not certain items have increased in value. If this increase is significant enough, you may decide to sell your items. Keep files of any COAs or other verifications of authenticity on file in a safe place pertaining to your autographed memorabilia as well.
Insure Your Hockey Memorabilia
Another crucial step to master becoming an accomplished memorabilia investor is to insure your hockey memorabilia collection. In the event your items are lost, stolen, or damaged, you can receive financial reimbursement. It may not replace your items but at least you won't suffer immense financial damage.
You may not have to do this for every single piece in your collection. But if you have some pieces of memorabilia in your possession that hold a higher worth than others, it may be worth it to get them insured.
Some homeowner's plans may cover items like memorabilia and collectibles. However, they only base it on the cash value of the item and not their appraised worth. You may be better off going with a specialty memorabilia insurance company instead.
Study Players and Teams
Stay informed on how players and teams are performing. By tracking teams and player stats, you can see which pieces of autographed memorabilia are more likely to increase in value. For example, if a player is due to retire, their Autographed Hockey Memorabilia may increase in value.
It should be noted though that this is often subjective. Just because a player is retiring doesn't mean their memorabilia will automatically increase. Their autographed memorabilia's worth may depend on the significance of their career, their popularity, and their longevity.
On the other hand, if a player is the subject of controversy, the value of their signed sports memorabilia may plummet as a result. Players involved in drug and alcohol, physical altercations, sex scandals, domestic violence, or other legal troubles can lose clout as professional hockey players and may even get traded or demoted to the minors.
Be Aware of Economic Factors
With any type of investing, there are upsides and downsides to contend with. Sports memorabilia has its ups and downs as well. As a dedicated sports memorabilia collector, you are likely to experience many fluctuations due to economic factors like recessions or sudden booms.
The COVID-19 pandemic drove up demand in the sports cards industry. Many people stuck at home looked for potential hobbies and money-makers.
According to The Athletic, sports cards have increased in value by 218% in the past 5 years. But overproduction of product to meet this boom in demand could cause the bubble to burst. It's important to always research the market carefully to see the patterns and understand the effects of supply and demand.
Have Fun
If all else fails, remember to just try to enjoy the collecting process. You may not always strike it rich. At the end of the day, sports memorabilia collecting is meant to be a fun hobby at its heart, so enjoy it as much as possible.
Focus on collecting the things you like. This way, even if you don't become a millionaire, you can still have a collection you can be proud of.
Find Autographed Hockey Jerseys and More at East Coast Sports Collectibles Today
Whether you're a veteran sports memorabilia collector or just starting out, investing in autographed memorabilia is a fun and exciting venture. Experience the thrill of autographed memorabilia for yourself.
East Coast Sports Collectibles is your source for Autographed Hockey Jerseys, Autographed Hockey Pucks, and Autographed Hockey Photos. All our signed items come with a COA and a tamper-proof hologram to guarantee authenticity. Let us help you take your sports collecting to the next level.
If you're ready to grow your collection of signed sports memorabilia, then explore our full range of Autographed Hockey Memorabilia on our site today.