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Signed photograph of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins at the "Collector's Universe" in Orange County
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Treasure Hunting (104)Wondering if that autographed baseball is worth the money you paid? Think you might have a genuine Mickey Mantle card? Confused about collector's terms and techniques? David Hall, memorabilia expert and president of Collectors Universe, and Joe Orlando, president of Professional Sports Authenticator, answer those and other baseball collectors' questions, and show you some swell stuff.
Next, you're off to a pawnshop to find great deals and dispel some myths. From fine art to jewelry and everything in between, pawnshops are aboveboard businesses. Just ask Diane Taylor of Traders Loan and Jewelry, a pawnshop owner, and Charles Sherman, a pawnbroker who deals only in fine art.
And once you've got all that great stuff? Jane and Richard Long, preservation experts and authors of Caring for Your Family Treasures will tell you how to make it last.
Learning How to Authenticate Memorabilia
- Terms to know:
Authenticating: Determining whether an item is genuine.
Grading: Determining the condition of an authenticated item.
- Leave the collectible in the condition you found it. You could diminish its value by cleaning it.
- Take the collectible to a reputable authenticator, such as PSA Card (information below) if you don't have proper documentation about its age, quality or origins.
- Don't just look for a bargain. You'll eventually end up with a counterfeit or a sub-par quality collectible if you restrict your purchases by price.
Resources
Collectors Universe
www.collectorsuniverse.com
One of the largest, most respected sources of collecting information in the nation, with links to other useful sites.
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)
www.psacard.com
Of the more than 50 companies that specialize in determining the value of collectibles (also called "grading"), PSA is one of the three most respected, particularly for sports memorabilia.
Getting a Good Deal at Pawnshops
- A reputable pawnshop broker will be licensed. Check before you shop.
- For the upscale shopper and the upscale seller, look for pawnshops that deal in real estate, cars, antiques and fine art and employ specialized appraisers and brokers.
- Since there is no such thing as a "new" diamond, bypass retail stores for pawnshops, which sell jewelry for less.
- Pawnshops can custom-design jewelry, often using new gold.
Resources
Collateral Loan and Secondhand Dealer's Association
www.calpawn.com
How pawnshops operate and what laws govern them.
Charles Sherman
Fine art pawnbroker
www.california-pawnshop.com
Contact Charles Sherman and other pawnbrokers with such specialties as real estate, cars, jewelry and estates.
Preserving Your Treasures
Store photographs in acid-free boxes and albums.
To repair water-damaged photos, rinse them in cool, clean water and gently air dry.
Excessive polishing or polishing with abrasives can severely harm silver, so avoid both.
- To preserve a wedding dress:
- Use acid and lignin-free tissue paper and box.
- Pad the dress so it retains its shape.
- Protect the dress from extreme temperatures.
- To preserve videotapes:
- Remember that the life of most consumer videotapes is about 15 years.
- Transfer your tape to a higher quality medium to make it last longer.
- Watch the tape at least once per year.
Resources
Heritage Preservation
1625 K St., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20006
202-634-1422
www.heritagepreservation.org
Tips on preservation and preservation success stories, along with information about this non-profit organization.
Caring for Your Family Treasures
by Jane and Richard Long
Hands-on ways to preserve what you have.
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