Sports memorabilia collectors and passionate sports fans alike tend to view authentic signed sports items with the greatest regard. Whether it be photos, worn or replica game jerseys, balls and other equipment, a signature from a prominent and relevant athlete adds tremendous value and appeal. From a Micky Mantle signed baseball bat to a David Beckham soccer jersey, high quality autographed sports memorabilia have always been highly sought out.
This is especially true for the most popular team sport in the world, soccer. The high supply and demand of signed soccer memorabilia can be attributed to the multitude of domestic first-tier leagues, several regular international competitions, and a rich and lengthy history. Soccer’s enormous fan base makes for a tremendous market that’s dominated by official jerseys, both signed and unsigned.
When it comes to autographed collectors’ items, there is one question that stands above all – is the player autograph authentic? It’s conceivably very easy for any regular person to grab a permanent marker, buy a replica jersey at nominal cost, and imitate a given player’s signature with the hopes of reselling the jersey for an easy profit. As such, it is imperative that anyone who is looking to buy an autographed soccer jersey follow a set of best practices to ensure that they are not throwing their money away on a forgery.
How are soccer jersey signatures obtained?
Soccer jerseys are generally signed under two different sets of circumstances, official and unofficial.
Unofficial autographs are procured by fans and autograph chasers before and after matches, practice sessions, and during other similar opportunities. The major problem with this type of autographed is that there is no official third party present during the signing, which means that the authenticity of the autograph cannot be verified. Another detriment is that the signature tends to be messier and of lower aesthetic standard since it is signed in an oftentimes hurried fashion. Aside from these two issues, unofficial signatures can be less expensive, and can potentially offer a wider range of players. Simply put, an unofficially sourced autograph may be your only option if you’re looking for a particular player or item.
The second manner in which autographed jerseys are sourced involves special signing sessions where a player is paid a set fee in exchange for signing a predetermined number of jerseys, and sometimes other collectible items. These sessions are generally arranged by memorabilia companies such as Icons, who insure autograph authenticity and bring these items onto the memorabilia market as finished products. The chief advantage is that these jerseys are guaranteed authentic. They are sold with a certificate of authenticity signed by a notary, who’s presence at the signing session assures that the certificate is essentially a legal document. To add another layer of security, the certificate of authenticity also contains a photograph of the player signing the actual jersey. Typically, memorabilia items with verifiable certificates of authenticity are more highly prized by memorabilia collectors and brokers, making them much more valuable as investments.
The other advantage of an officially obtained autographed jersey has to do with the quality of the product. Since players are assured of a personal fee (or donation to their favorite charity), and because the signing sessions are conducted in a comfortable indoor setting that includes a table, the players are happy to devote their time and attention to signing the jerseys, resulting in a recognizable, properly placed autograph. Additionally, some autographed items, such as jerseys signed my multiple players, can only be reasonably obtained during such pre-arranged sessions.
What are the best places to buy signed soccer jerseys?
There are various common outlets for autographed soccer jerseys, but for the sake of this article I will only discuss online sources. Given that sports memorabilia isn’t a high volume market, online dealers are often going to be the most likely destination for anyone who is searching for a specific item. In fact, it is highly regarded dealers and soccer apparel retailers, such as Icons, that can be counted on to sell you a high-quality, authentic autographed item. Always look for something that comes with a certificate of authenticity, and do your research into the organization that provides this certificate. This is especially important because even the most reputable dealers and resellers cannot offer a return policy on autographed items – all sales are final.
Beyond the most highly reputable destinations you may come across lesser known dealers, or even online auctions sites. These are more likely to offer much lower prices for desirable jerseys, and occasionally they will have items that you won’t find anywhere else. Be sure to take all these factors into consideration when shopping for an autographed soccer jersey online.
