Signatures of popular baseball players have always had great appeal to collectors. Autographs of baseball hall of famers such as Babe Ruth, Tee Cobb, Roberto Clement and Lou Geri top the list of the most sought-after collectibles. Even autographs of other baseball players who did not make the Hall of Fame but had outstanding careers, such as Roger Mares, Thurman Munson and Tony Consigliore, are also wonderful additions to a collection.

Where to find baseball autographs

Baseball autographs can be found in almost all baseball memorabilia (such as baseballs, caps, jerseys, etc), but checks, documents and letters signed by the players themselves are high in terms of collectible value. Autographed photographs are also scarce and highly valuable.

Fakes

Authenticity is the major concern of all autograph collectors. Recognized dealers have the expertise in determining and establishing the authenticity of an item, so try to buy only from them. The internet is especially full of fake vendors, so be very cautious.

One can almost always trust the authenticity of the signatures from old autograph books, because the original collector was probably fortunate enough to get an instant autograph. There is still a risk, however forgers can easily find an old blank autograph book and fake signatures.

It is wise to have your baseball autographs authenticated. Authentication by special audit groups (such as Arthur Anderson) can get quite pricey, so go to trusted individual authenticators who have worked as auditors for a more affordable quote. Authentication can range from $20 to $150, depending on the rarity and overall condition of the autograph.

Collecting baseball signatures as a hobby has a lot of drawbacks, but it can also be very rewarding. Be sure to do your research and buy only from trusted vendors, and keep yourself informed of the latest trends in collecting so you can grow your own collection wisely.