Is Mounted Memories Reputable?

Yes, it’s accurate to say Mounted Memories is a reputable autograph dealer.   Formed in 1988, the company was a quick riser from the beginning-quickly growing from a 500 square-foot operation to a company with multiple offices in major metropolitan cities.

Huge and steady growth just may be a major indication of how well respected Mounted Memories has become in the sports memorabilia industry.

Mounted Memories even claims the company is “the ultimate destination for sports memorabilia authentication”. Mounted Memories, according to various memorabilia analysts, isn’t doing anything to disprove that theory. The company serves as one of the more reputable sports card authenticators in the country.

This fast-growing company has already landed exclusive contracts with some of the contemporary giants in sports like Peyton Manning, Pete Rose, Dan Marino and Dick Butkus.

Mounted Memories also continues to make a name for itself by handling autograph sessions at major sports card collector shows around the country. Appearances from major names like Terry Bradshaw, Barry Sanders and George Blanda are not uncommon at their shows. The star power is extremely high with Mounted Memories-often packing shows with multiple big name athletes from a variety of different sports. The association of so many top name athletes with this company makes it extremely hard to overlook Mounted Memories as a major player in the Sports Collectibles industry.

If variety is your game, this company might be worth checking out. That’s because Mounted Memories isn’t limited to just standard sports like baseball, football and basketball. Mounted Memories is one of the few sports memorabilia authenticators to truly handle sports like Auto Racing and the PGA. Mounted Memories currently has autograph contracts with Jack Nicklaus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and many of the premiere NASCAR teams. The company has an open mind to the future and doesn’t just narrow choices to a particular sport.

Mounted Memories instead carries an incredible inventory of athletes with a wide variety of products associated with those players. The price levels also range in accommodation for the low level collector to the big time spender. Mounted Memories doesn’t just stop with sports authentication. The company also prides itself on acrylic display cases and high quality custom framing. These extras are more reason why many sports collectors turn to Mounted Memories.

Is Mounted Memories reputable?  No question.  If you’re interested in seeing some of the thousands of autographed items they have, visit Mounted Memories 24/7.

NFL Autographs: A Guide to Buying the Best

Across the board, prices for highly valuable baseball autographs are much more expensive than for NFL autographs.

This could possibly be due to the fact that baseball as an organized, competitive sport has simply been around longer than the NFL. It could also be due to a period of time when major League baseball was more popular than the National Football League. Whatever the reason, there are probably some currently exceptional values out there for the most desired NFL autographs. But you have to seriously search them out. Of course, if you want the best and the rarest, like anything else, you’re going to have to spend a little more.  But it’s certainly worth it if you’re a true, loyal NFL fan.

The most popular players all have definite criteria and niches. Certainly  Hall of Fame enshrinees are at the top of the list when it comes to NFL autograph collecting.   Players who’ve won one or more Super Bowls also rank high.

Statistical records leaders is another area that collectors use as a theme. Passing and receiving and rushing champions will head this list, so we’re talking about such elite players as John Unitas, Joe Namath, Otto Graham,  Sammy Baugh. And Jim Brown, Bronko Nagurski, Walter Payton, Dante Lavelli, Don Hutson, Lynn Swann, Paul Warfield, Fred Biletnikoff, and offensive lineman such as center Jim Ringo, guard Gene Upshaw, tackle Ron Mix, center Jim Otto, and defensive linemen Deacon Jones, Gino Marchetti, Alan Page and Merlin Olsen. Highly valued autographs from other NFL legends would include linebackers Sam Huff, Jack Hamm, Ray Nitschke and Dick Butkus, also defensive backs Mel Blount, Dick “Night Train” Lane, and Mel Renfro.

Not many people collect manager autographs in baseball, but football fans are a little different.  Not many would turn down an NFL signed item from the likes of  Vince Lombardi, George Halas, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, Paul Brown, Weeb Ewbank and Sid Gillman.

Other NFL autograph collection themes can center around Super Bowl champions, Pro Bowl MVPs, members of the NFL’s All-Time Team, linebackers, or quarterbacks.

Among the modern era icons that bring NFL autograph collectors to eBay listings in droves are  Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Steve Young, Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, Drew Brees,  Brett Favre, Dan Marino, John Elway, Terrell Owens, Bruce Smith, and the late Reggie White.

It’s very important to only purchase professionally authenticated NFL autographed items for your collection, as you can trust these sources more. There’s less chance of you wasting your money and getting ripped off.  Different autographed items will be priced differently.  You can look to purchase specific photographs, either action shots or static, posed head shots. Jerseys, helmets and autographed footballs are also mainstream when it comes to NFL autographs.

Pigskins can be in different conditions, so just because you can get a John Unitas autograph on an NFL football doesn’t mean it will be extremely valuable wherever you try to sell it. Quality condition is as important as who signed it and its rarity.

Most modern era authenticated items will be in good shape.  No one plays with an autographed football anymore like they may have done 40 or more years ago!  Still, don’t be afraid to ask for multiple photos of any item when you discuss purchase with a seller.

If you’re buying as a gift or may someday resell your item, it’s best to stick with the best you can afford.  The most popular player, the best quality item from the top authenticators with the cleanest, most eye-appealing signature you can find.  NFL autographs, like anything else, are best enjoyed when they are of high quality.

Autographed Willie Mays Memorabilia Becoming More Scarce

Collectors are finding autographed Willie Mays items to be a little harder to find lately, even though the Sey Hey Kid has signed his share over the years and has lived significantly longer than his fellow 1950s baseball icon, Mickey Mantle.

Willie Mays started his career with the New York Giants in 1951, when he won the National League Rookie of Year award. After the 1957 season, he moved with the Giants to San Francisco. He finished his career in New York with the Mets in 1973 and helped the Mets win the National League Championship that year. He was an all-star twenty-four times. Mays was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 on the first ballot. His great career has made Willie Mays autographs a popular commodity for nostalgic fans and collectors of baseball greats.

While there are many sports memorabilia conventions across the country every weekend,  Mays’ attendance at baseball card shows has dropped as he becomes elderly. At seventy-eight years old, Mays has cut back on personal appearances and the result is fewer present day autographs on the market. This has left the collector of Willie Mays autographs to seek older items. Many Mays autographs are no longer in circulation because of collector interest,  making his items scarce and expensive.

Mays is often seen on memorabilia and photos that also picture Mickey Mantle and another 1950s New York sensation, Duke Snider.  Who played a better centerfield, while in New York;  Mantle,  Mays or the Duke?  It’s been a popular debate for half a century now.  An autographed lithograph of the three Hall of Fame Centerfielders can run $1500-2000.

Willie Mays made one of the most famous catches in World Series history. An autographed photo of the famous 1954 World Series Polo Grounds catch by Mays can be found for around $200-300. Other signed photos of Mays batting or sliding range from $165 to $280. Signed Mays bats, jerseys or other oversized items will run two and three times that amount.   A Willie Mays autographed Major League baseball would cost from $200 to $300.

It is important to buy from reputable dealers to be sure you are buying authentic Willie Mays autographed memorabilia. Authenticated items from dealers should include a certificate of authenticity from companies like PSA/DNA, James Spence Authentication, Steiner Sports or Upper Deck Authenticated. This would guarantee its value now and in the future.