Product Description
That old 1962-vintage Willie Mays baseball trading card may be the ticket to a college education, and a mint-condition ticket stub from the first Super Bowl may pay for 50-yard-line seats for many a Super Bowl to come. You may never know unless you grab yourself a copy of Sports Memorabilia For Dummies and get wise to the ins and outs of collecting sports memorabilia.Decide what to collect, and what not to collect -- from baseball cards and ticket stubs to well-worn football jerseys and stadium scoreboards -- as you master the savvy bargaining and pricing techniques to get the best deals on the sports memorabilia you want. Avoid fakes, forgeries, and far-fetched offers as you build your collection, and educate yourself as you increase your enjoyment of collecting and the thrill of the sport itself. And here's a little extra incentive: According to a 1988 study in Money magazine, from 1980 to 1987, the blue-chip value of baseball cards outperformed stocks, bonds, and Treasury bills. So what'll it be? More Microsoft stock or that 1952 Mickey Mantle card? You make the call.Amazon.com Review
Betting your investment portfolio on a stockpile of rookiecards? Not so fast, says Pete Williams, author of SportsMemorabilia for Dummies. Even though baseball cards as aninvestment vehicle outperformed stocks, bonds, and treasury bills from1980 to 1987, remember the familiar disclaimer that past performanceis not indicative of future returns. While the collecting mania isstill in full bloom, Williams wants everyone to know that the powercurve of collectibles as an investment is past its peak. Withinvestment dollars finding other homes, it's a wonderful time to startcollecting. Prices are down and there is more merchandise for the restof us.

This latest addition to the ubiquitous Dummies seriesdetails the finer points of memorabilia collecting by an insider. PeteWilliams, writer and columnist for USA Today's Baseball Weekly,parlays his work as a beat reporter covering the sports-collectingbusiness into a primer that separates the investment-fueled hype fromthe enjoyment that fans can derive from collectibles.

This volume,like the other For Dummies books, uses an extremely readable andlighthearted approach to an otherwise overwhelming topic. Williamsguides us step by step through getting started and sifting out what tocollect, to the pitfalls and scams of unscrupulous dealers, andincludes an exhaustive appendix of resources. This volume is a mustfor anyone wanting to stay abreast of the "collecting"industry. --Tim Shannon ... Read more

Product Description
As eBay evolves, Sports Collectibles is carving out its place among the key categories on eBay, and buyers and sellers in this area have specialized concerns and questions indigenous to their trade. This book answers those questions and gives online auction-goers the information they need to get the best deals and the best prices for merchandise. Covering issues such as authentication, dating, pricing, promotion, and more, the text walks the experienced eBay user through potential obstacles and their solutions. Additionally, it highlights successful tactics that you can easily put to use to boost your profits or grow your collection with the confidence to know that you got the deal you were looking for.

Provides tips on the specific issues that buyers and sellers of sports collectibles and memorabilia face in the online auction format.

Written for the experienced eBay user, this text gives the information they need to buy sports collectibles without fear and sell with confidence.

Combines how-to information with success stories of those "in the trenches" on eBay ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Waste of time and money
This book will tell you absolutely nothing you can't learn for free by reading the eBay tutorials and looking at couple of sports card message boards (beckett, sportscardsheriff, etc).

The information presented is of the most basic nature and is repeated many times, often on the same page. It became quite obvious after reading the first two chapters that the author was struggling to "pad" the page count of this book.

I am not an expert in sports collecting by any means, in fact I just started this year. However, if you just follow the advice in my first paragraph, you will have acquired the knowledge in this book many times over.

If you're still not convinced, go to your local bookstore and flip through this book, you'll see what I mean fairly quickly.

Must-have book for eBay buyers and sellers!
This is a must-have book for eBay buyers AND sellers! It provides comprehensive material written in plain English so that both the novice and expert buyer/seller on the eBay auction site can learn something new that will be worth WAY MORE than the cost of the book.

Don't you think it's worth investing $10-$20 for a possible payoff of more than $1000 or more in the long run?

This book should be in your hands today!

Buy it, you won't regret it. ... Read more

Product Description
This second edition handbook provides readers with advice on obtaining autographed baseball memorabilia, whether through in-person or postal service requests. It also provides insight into the booming online market for memorabilia, with information on online auctions as well as working with fellow online collectors. The author discusses the process of designing a personalized memorabilia room and display, in addition to the most successful ways to authenticate memorabilia and a handy guide to acquiring the signatures of each living member of the Hall of Fame. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Now in an updated second edition
Now in an updated second edition, Collecting Baseball Memorabilia: A Handbook is filled cover to cover with advice for collectors of everything from autographed baseballs, bats, and photos to how to design a room for memorabilia display, to a guide to acquiring signatures of each living member of the Hall of Fame, to savvy tips for taking advantage of online auctions (and avoiding scams)! Written by teacher and Society for American Baseball Research member Dan Zachofsky, Collecting Baseball Memorabilia: A Handbook is a thoroughly accessible guide equally valuable to novice collectors and advanced hobbyists searching exhaustively for that one last signature. "Avoid purchasing unreasonable and overpriced memorabilia from dealers. It is very easy to be enticed by the autograph craze. Collectors should be careful about purchasing the 1998 New York Yankees team baseballs and other items from some dealers. A New York company conducted a limited signing of 500 Yankees team baseballs with an excessive unit price of, $1,200. Collectors realize the Yankees have a rich tradition and history; however, the hefty price was determined prior to the outcome of the 1998 World Series."

Female Collector
This book is great for anybody that has an interest in collecting baseball memorablia.Mr. Zachofsky has unique suggestions for collecting autographs and how to display them.

A wonderful book for collectors!
I received this book as a gift and was very impressed with the suggestions and the history it gave. I have since begun creating my own Baseball Memorabilia Room and I have even gotten a few Hall of Famer autographs. Ifind this book extremely helpful for any collectors, experienced or new tothe hobby. I think this book is fantastic and it is the "BIBLE"of any collecting manual. With the upcoming baseball season, it reallymakes a great read especially if you're interested in starting amemorabilia room. The forward to the book is written by one of my all timefavorites, Duke Snider -- very impressive!Also, I love the pictures thatare included! I highly recommend this book!

neophyte collector of baseball memorabilia
After 5 years of struggling collecting baseball memorabilia, I've finally found the magna carta for this fascinating hobby. Attempting to collect the key signatures for this hobby is the ultimate goal.Collecting Baseball Memorabilia A Handbook makes it easy, enjoyable and is a great investment. Lastly, since I've purchased this book, I've added 5 Hall of Famers to mycollection without the stress because of the knowldedge found in this book.

Baseball Memories
Since collecting baseball cards many years ago I have always been an admirer of Baseball memorabilia collections. I never started on because it always seemed too difficult. This book makes it easy.From the aficionadoto the novice,from the young to the old,this book encompasses all aspectsfor starting,adding to, or preserving a baseball collection. Amazinginsight into the collecting world it gives great advice and tips that areso valuable to a new or even seasoned collector. This book is the"Ball Four" for collectors as it gives an insiders view fromsomeone did it. It has interesting comments and synopsis of Hall of Famersand baseball park and team information.Concise and easy to read withgreat photos and a foreword by the "Duke of Flatbush",my hero. Amust read for anyone into collecting or who enjoys baseball memories. ... Read more

Product Description
Honor the greatest athletes of all time with the world’s supreme collection of sports memorabilia.Sports Immortals spans more than a century of athletic achievement and contains more than a million mementos, including uniforms, gear, autographs, artifacts, tickets, programs, cards, games, and more.You’ll follow the path of sports history as you move through each chapter and discover the stories of more than 100 inspirational athletes, including:

-Jack Johnson
-Muhammad Ali
-Jim Thorpe
-Walter Payton
-Jesse Owens
-Wayne Gretzky
-Dale Earnhardt
-And more!

Your beloved sports heroes will come to life through the beautiful full-color photography and in-depth detail of Sports Immortals.No sports fan should be without it.

For the first time, this collection is being presented to the public in this visually stunning book.

The living memories on these pages represent the lifelong vision of collector Joel Pratt, who has worked tirelessly since childhood to gather sports memorabilia as the nucleus for a museum to honor sports legends.

In this book, athletes come to life through the stunning depth of the Sports Immortals collection and through beautiful, full-color photography. Revisit sports history and be inspired by the stories of great athletes every time you turn the page. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Anathlete's book
"Sports Immortals" is a fantastic nonfiction novel writen by Jim Platt.Sports Immortals has the best collection of sports items ever.If you look in the book and see all the valuable items, they are all owned by one person, his name is Joel Platt. He started collecting them when he was in the hospital and Babe Ruth came to visit him. Some items were Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves,Oscar Robinson's basketball jersey, and Bade Bruth's baseball jersey. There are many different characters who were the best athletes in the world.

Sports Immortals is a collection of stories about some of the greatest sports times and athletes of all time and discribe the lives and challenging times they had to go through. For example, when Michael Jordan won his forth NBA title he cried because his father had been killed that summer. I also liked when it talked about the 1980 U.S. hockey team and how their whole team was made up of collage players, and then they won the gold metal in Lake Placid, NY. This is a great book because it shows all the things that athletes have to go through to achieve their goals and accomplishments.

I would recommend this book to people who want to learn about sports history. I loved this book because it showed how hard it is to be an athlete and what difficuties they have to conquer. This book was a fantastic book that I loved and I think you would too.

Awesome
Wow! What a great book. Inspiring stories from the greatest athletes in the world. The stories are well written and enjoyable to read. It is quite evident that the book is a result of many years of hard work, dedication and a labor of love. The layout is awesome and the pictures are even better. It is a great gift for all ages.

The perfect coffee table book
Truly an exceptional gathering of sports legends and their respective histories, Sports Immortals takes us on a tour that even sports-phobic individuals will love.From baseball and football, to skating and NASCAR, the pages capture the essence of the cultural phenomenon that we take for granted today.
Unexpectedly, most interesting are the pages which highlight not the obvious modern-day heroes, but rather the legends of yester-year, such as Jack Johnson (1910 African-American prize fighter) or Don Budge (1930's tennis champion).
Although some of the accompanying pictures are seemingly boring at first glance, they take on new life when you realize that these are actual items in Joel and Jim Platt's museum collection.

And that, of course, is the point of the book--to make us realize that these individuals are real and not simply the intangible "stuff of legend."In particular, the photos and supplemental annotations at the end of the book illustrate not only the diversity and amazing progress of the sports world (check out the 1864 ice skates!), but also the incessant controversies that accompany it (must-see letter of Jack Johnson's confession of throwing the big fight).

I now display the book proudly on my coffee table for all to view. What more can I say....the only thing better is to go to Boca Raton, FL to see it for real.

Great for the sports lover
I received a copy of this book from my friend.This book is full of great stories and photographs of the greatest athletes of all time.The book goes beyond the typical information you have seen in the past and opens the door to interesting stories about the author's father, who has collected an amazing amount of incredible memorabilia.The photographs of the items in Joel Platt's collection amazed me.His story and moments with these athletes is also very inspirational.

I recommend this book and hope to one day see Joel realize his dreams of opening his Sports Immortals museum so that I can enjoy the full extent of his collection. ... Read more

Product Description
Sports memorabilia collectors can identify and evaluate their treasured collectibles by using the most complete and comprehensive price guide available. An invaluable collector’s aid, it covers baseball, basketball, boxing, football, hockey, racing, tennis and wrestling memorabilia. All categories and prices have been updated and expanded in this second edition with many items priced in up to three grades of condition. Clear, crisp photos and more than 75,000 prices help sports fans identify and establish values for their cherished memorabilia.

Covers an extensive assortment of memorabilia including autographs, books and publications, commemoratives, equipment, figurines, pennants, pins, ticket stubs, uniforms and other unusual collectible items.

-Most comprehensive sports memorabilia guide to baseball, basketball, boxing, football, hockey, racing, tennis and wrestling memorabilia ever published
-All updated categories and prices ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fabulous reference book of unusual sports memorabilia
Enthusiastic sports memorabila collectors will absolutely love this book.It is a perfect reference before buying or selling any items on auction sites such as Amazon.com and eBay as well as consginment sites like Zshops and Starshows.com. The book provides many great pictures of all sorts ofmemorabilia.It covers a complete list of sports from boxing to wrestling. It includes extensive listings of autographs, equipment, figurines, teampublications, ticket stubs, bottle caps, programs, magents, and evenmatchbooks.I found out that a 1951 Phillies yearbook I have is worth$400. One of the most enjoyable things that any sports nut would like isthe entertainment you can get just paging through and looking at thepictures.I found myself doing that and saying to myself, "Yeah Iremember that". This book does not have a plot but is loaded with lotsof memories and history. ... Read more

Product Description
A practical guide to collecting baseball, football, hockey and basketball memoriabilia. ... Read more

Product Description
Presents a variety of methods of collecting sports-related memorabilia at little or no cost. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of the few books to cover more horse racing than glasses
I can't speak for the other sports covered by this book, but this is the only book I have ever found to cover more horse racing memorabilia than just Kentucky Derby and other glasses.This book covers glasses but also programs and pins for all three Triple Crown races and horse racing games.The prices listed still useful even though 10 year old now since horse racing memorabilia isn't a very volatile market, at least in the older items.Just add about 10% or so to the prices and you are pretty much up to date again.The listing of games is one of the best parts of the book as I have never found such a comprehensive list anywhere else.

If you are a collector, pick up a copy for reference use.They are dirt cheap now as used books here on Amazon but you will find it quite valuable.

Very easy to read and covers many items.
I enjoyed the book for its content. It had many sports collectibles that you may not think of. The major problem of the book is the published date of 1993.In the world of collectibles 5 years is an eternity. As the title of the book reads "Malloy's Sports Collectibles Value Guide : Up-To-Date Prices for Noncard Sports Memorabilia" The "up to date" portion is not even close. Probably one of the best books that cover this kind of memorabilia but does you no good if the information is out of date. ... Read more

Product Description
This new edition of the best-selling price guide to baseball memorabilia includes over 10,000 items with accurate updated prices. Whether you collect baseball magazines, balls, bats, gloves, autographs, pennants, pins or a little of everything, you'll find your hobby more enjoyable with this popular collecting companion. 250 photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great price and value guide for the memorabilia collector.
Has been improved to be more in alphabetical order. User friendly. Has a wide variety of oddball items and their values besides the standard collectibles. Super reference book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Breslaer draws the evolution of NASCAR in its memorabilia.
If you need a quick, easy to read but information packed guide on collecting NASCAR collectibles, this is the book you want. Ken Bresalauer has been covering NASCAR and its memorabilia for more than 25 years, and inthis book he gives readers the best of his experience. Furthermore, thephotos are great - large, sharp and pertinent to the collectiblesdiscussed. Beginning collectors beware - there are no prices shown - you'reon your own, armed with Breslauer's reflected knowledge. - Leila Dunbar ... Read more

Product Description
The Complete Book of Frisbee is the first comprehensivehistory of the frisbee, from the dawn of the flying disc in 700b.c. to modern-day games, including frisbee golf, ultimate frisbee,and worldwide competition.This delightful retrospective will thrillthe millions of frisbee players past, present, and future--from thebaby boomers who popularized the sport to the frisbee enthusiasts ofall ages casting their plastic discs on lawns and beaches everywhere.Additionally, a compendium of classic frisbee models and a price guidemake this book the only source for collectors worldwide. Appendixesinclude a list of major events in frisbee history, a glossary ofterms, and lists of frisbee organizations, publications,manufacturers, collectors, and dealers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

The complete Book of Frisbee
Being an old dog, I was around for much of the late 70's, early 80's history that Victor alludes to.It was great to take this look down memory lane, as well as find a lot of new information.The disc trading guide has already proved itself helpful.I strongly recommend this book for any flying disc enthusiast.

Wonderful reference
I love this book! It's the only one I have as a reference as to the history of Frisbee/Frisbies. I admit, the prices in my edition (1998) are out of date--they continue to go up!
I refer to this book all the time and each time I pick up something new. It's loaded with tons of great photos. It's a MUST for any Frisbee/flying disc lover.
I'm disappointed in the direction Wham-o has taken lately and the quality of the product they are now producing, but the history of Frisbees and the people involved along the way make this book a must-have!
One will have a much greater appreciation for those little flying discs (no matter what they're called or whose name is on them) once they have read this book.

Outstanding Guide, Historically Significant
This book is a must for anyone associated with or interested in Frisbees, golf discs and Frisbie Pie Tins. Not only does it provide a guide for determining value of many highly collectible discs, it's entertaining, well-written, and well-designed. A collector's item in its own right and I highly recommend.

From a Frisbee professional, and the author of "I'm Living Your Dream Life," and "The Things I Wish I'd Said," McKenna Publishing Group

Price Guide lacking current collectable prices(1998)
If you're buying this book as a priceguide to old or collectable frisbees, you should know this. Since the advent of online auctioning after 1998, many more frisbees have come out of the closet. Therefore, the priceguide part of the book is woefully out of date. Most collectableFrisbee prices as stated in the book are overvalued by 30-60%. I hope a revision of this book is printed soon.

For frisbee collectors only
Don't be fooled by the title, this is not the complete book of frisbee. Ultimate only rates a couple of pages, for starters. There is nothing to speak of on throwing technique. It is not particularly well edited, either- many assertions and heresay have slipped through the net. Lots of nicepictures of collectable discs, if that's what you're into. A bit of adisappointment given the dearth of books-in-print about throwing techniqueand ultimate. ... Read more

Product Description
Since the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896, the Olympics have grown to be among the most anticipated and watched events of any type in world. Today, almost 200 nations send athletes to participate in the Games and over a billion people watch on television. Just as the Olympics have grown, so has the collecting of Olympic memorabilia. Quite possibly the most international and fastest growing of sports hobbies, the exciting world of Olympic memorabilia includes pins, badges, medals, torches, posters, tickets, programs, books, souvenir items, and so much more. Included here are items from the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, through the games of 2000. Both Summer and Winter Olympic memorabilia is covered. With over 500 color photographs and an up-to-date price guide, this is the most complete Olympic memorabilia book available anywhere in the world. The perfect guide for any level of collector. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A bible
This book has been a great resource for me as a collector. I wish i had discovered it sooner. ... Read more

Product Description
Readers of Sign This offer stories of their autograph encounters with athletes and celebrities. ... Read more