Is Valentine’s Day swiftly approaching and you don’t know what to get your guy? If he is not exactly the romantic type (and few guys are), finding gifts for him can be a challenge. You want to give him a gift that is meaningful, but not sappy. It certainly is a fine line to walk. So, if flowers and a poem won’t do the trick for your guy, give him something that will really touch his heart instead.
Outside of his wonderful girlfriend or wife, it is likely there is nothing he loves more than his favorite sports team. He probably remembers the day his team last won a championship or big playoff game more vividly than any romantic gesture you have made in the past. For football fans, consider Eli Manning’s Super Bowl XLII scramble (Giants and Patriots fans know the play!), Dwight Clark’s “The Catch,” or any one of Derek Jeter's amazing catches.
So to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember, celebrate his love for the game by giving him an autographed photo of a memorable play from the last big win. He will be so excited he might even take you out to dinner to celebrate. That’s truly a championship victory for you!

The most passionate baseball fans began collecting cards of their favorite players as kids, and as they grew, so did their fascination with collecting baseball sports memorabilia. Now, all types of collector items accompany their card collection. Here are just a few of the categories collectors can choose from:

• Hand Signed Memorabilia: This category used to refer to photos and baseballs only, but now collectors can get almost anything signed by their favorite player. Items available include photos, baseballs, bats, batting helmets, cards, cleats, framed photographs, hats, jerseys, lithographs, posters, shadow boxes, sneakers and subway signs.
• Game Used Items: This category offers collectors the opportunity to purchase items that have actually been used by their favorite player during a game. Some of the most popular items include baseballs, bases, bats, batting gloves, cleats, fielding gloves, hats, jerseys, locker tags and warm-ups.
• Unsigned Keepsakes: This category includes keepsake items that represent a collector’s favorite team or player. They might not be signed, but that doesn’t mean they are not just as special. Options include baseball cards, board games, bobble head dolls, cuff links, light-up key chains, mugs, pennants, programs, street signs and coins.

Labels: Sports_Memorabilia_Basics

In order to keep a collection in mint condition, it is important to handle all autographed sports memorabilia with care. An autographed helmet, whether it is a game used batting helmet or a mini football helmet, are particularly fragile because the ink does not have any fabric or grain absorbed it. This makes the autograph more likely to smudge or fade if it is not cared for properly.

The best way to protect this keepsake is to keep it in a UV protected display case. This will protect the item from damage caused by natural elements like sun and dust. Also, keeping a helmet in a case will reduce the amount of people who touch or handle the item. While collectors like to show off their prize possessions, it best to have friends and family admire from a distance. Since a helmet features a slick surface, oils from skin can compromise the quality of the autograph.

Labels: Care_and_Storage

As your father ages, it gets harder and harder to choose gifts for dad. Over his lifetime, he has acquired so much stuff it is almost impossible to find something he doesn’t have already. So for the man that has everything, sports memorabilia makes an ideal alternative to the bland and thoughtless blah.
There are a number of suitable sports gifts dad will love. When selecting a gift, consider any memorabilia he already has. If he has a prize piece, get him another item that will correspond. For example, if proudly displays an autographed baseball from one of his favorite players, say Joey DiMaggio, get him baseballs from teammates. Try the 1936 Yankees, DiMaggio’s debut year and team. There were quite a few memorable names on that squad, including Hall of Famers Lou Gehrig and Bill Dickey.

If he doesn’t have any memorabilia yet, this is the perfect opportunity to start a collection for him. This will also come in handy when selecting gifts in the future because you can make it a tradition to add a new piece to his collection every year.

Labels: Gift_Ideas

Dating a new fella and not sure what to get him come gift-giving time? It’s certainly a nerve-wracking time. Not only do you not know him that well yet, but also the first gift you give will set the tone for the rest of the relationship. The best approach is to give him something that is not too intimate, but also shows you put some thought into it. If you want to make the right impression, sports memorabilia makes great gifts for guys.
The first step is to get him to talk about things he likes without making it look like you are prying. If there is one topic you can definitely get a guy to talk about, it is sports, so it should be fairly easy to get him to tell you his favorite team, player or memorable moment. With this information, a bit of research at Steiner Sports fills you in on the rest.

Let’s say you know he’s a Red Sox fan, not just because he told you, but also because you see him proudly wear his BoSox cap wherever you go together. Try searching through Steiner Sports by team (Red Sox). A younger guy might want autographed memorabilia of John Lester’s 2008 no hitter. Older gentlemen may be more interested in moments surrounding Yaz, Carlton Fisk or even “Teddy Ballgame” Ted Williams.

Labels: Gift_Ideas

Mickey Mantle Autographed BaseballSports memorabilia has come a long way from the standard autographed headshot. While headshots are still popular, now collectors can choose from a variety of commemorative and signed memorabilia from some of the greatest teams and athletes in history. Memorabilia revolving around a specific athlete usually includes autographed balls, jerseys and sports gear. For a collector whose passion extends to a certain team, there are team photos, championship mementos and stadium memorabilia.

For example, a collector who loves Mickey Mantle might have an autographed baseball, an autographed 1956 New York Yankees jersey and an autographed Triple Crown poster. If a collector’s passion extends to the entire Yankees organization, they may also have autographed memorabilia from other famous Yankees in history, like Babe Ruth and Yogi Berra.

Collectors of Yankee memorabilia are now seeking a commemorative keepsake of the old Yankee Stadium, like an autographed seatback from the stands, freeze-dried grass or a plaque featuring game-used dirt.

Labels: Sports_Memorabilia_Basics

Some collectors like to revolve their entire collection around specific teams and/or players. For example, a collector that lives in Boston might only have memorabilia representing his home teams: Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and Patriots. On the other hand, a collector from New York might have a shrine filled with Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter collectibles. To these collectors, their display of sports memorabilia is a reflection of about whom/what they are most passionate.

For general sports enthusiasts, it can be challenging to assemble a cohesive collection without focusing on favorite teams or players. The key to doing this right is to come up with a theme that ties the memorabilia together. Some themes might include Super Bowl MVPs, Cy Young Award winners, all-time NHL goal leaders, NBA record holders or Hall of Famers. The type of memorabilia may vary, but it is what the items represent that is most important. As long as a common thread can connect the items, the collection is a success.

Labels: Collecting