by Marvin Matayo
Collectors can find the field of vintage memorabilia to be both interesting and challenging. While collecting can sometimes be profitable, most pursue the hobby strictly for fun. Either way, there is much to consider before purchasing an item.
It is seldom advisable to view memorabilia as a viable investment option. The market is both fickle and cyclical, so a highly priced item can lose most of its value in as little as one or two years. Sometimes, the prices increase again, but sometimes they do not. Value depends on the number of people who desire the item and the price they will pay to obtain it. When few want a piece of memorabilia or are unwilling to spend very much for it, the price will decline. If the value was being inflated by a temporary surge in interest, the price will probably not reach peak levels again.
Remember that there are a lot of deceptive practices in the market. These range from outright fraud to concealing by misdirection. Fraud would be an instance where the seller lies about the item, such as stating it is an authentic signature when the seller himself signed the item. Misdirection is stating the truth, but concealing the significance. An example of this would be selling an item "from the set of" a popular movie. It may have been a spare from the prop department, or just something brought to the set by a crewmember. The stars probably never saw it or touched it, but technically, it was on the set.
Educate yourself about the category you want to collect. As an example, if your interests lie in memorabilia related to railroad, learn when particular cars were used. Then, if you are offered a model train with both a coal car and a diesel locomotive, you would understand the incongruity. When you know that Martha was the name of George Washington's wife, you would question a painting of George and his spouse, Abigail.
Do not bother to collect things that you have neither an appreciation of nor interest in, since you will probably own them for a long time. Surround yourself with items that you find attractive or fascinating. Just because an item is cheap does not mean that you will enjoy seeing it in your home. You will gain more pleasure from a small, appealing collection than a large one about which you hold only apathy.
How rare an item is can determine a large part of its value, so learn whether something is scarce before committing to a price. For instance, a Lou Gehrig autograph on a jersey is much rarer than his signature on a scorecard or baseball. A star who shunned the public signed fewer autographs than one who attended many functions. If protests led to a movie poster's removal from circulation within the first few days, it will be rarer than its replacements.
Include all supplemental fees when evaluating the price of an item. If purchasing from an online source, you probably will be charged extra for sales tax, insurance and shipping. You may also be charged a handling or packaging fee. Find out all the details before you decide whether the price is right.
If you can tie your collection to other areas of interest, it can be easier to market your item if you ever need to sell it. For instance, perhaps you collect vintage memorabilia related to a famous actor. Early in his career, he had a bit part in a movie about ghosts. A poster from that movie could appeal to those who collect movie or paranormal memorabilia as well as those who collect items from the actor's career.
<a href="http://www.vintagememorabiliastore.com">Vintage memorabilia</a> is a target for collectors and those who appreciate the fashions from yesteryear. A <a href="http://www.vintagememorabiliastore.com">memorabilia store</a> helps you to locate treasures in jewelry, fashion and household items.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Things To Consider When Buying Vintage Memorabilia
Author: Marvin Matayo
Email: ginjaninja101@hotmail.com
Keywords: vintage memorabilia,sport memorabilia,movie memorabilia,music memorabilia,collectables,collectibles,hobby,autograph,memorabilia,antique
Word Count: 613
Category: Hobbies
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