Friday, February 2, 2007

Chicago Bears Memorabilia - Beware!

Now that the Chicago Bears are in the Super Bowl -- BEWARE! You will see a ton of fake memorabilia surface, especially if they win this weekend.

The Bears are one of the most collectible team in the National Football League. Even when they aren't winning, they have a very loyal following and Bears fans dish it out when it comes to memorabilia.

On a recent news broadcast, a sports memorabilia company reported that Bears memorabilia was outselling Colts memorabilia by 2 to 1.

The Bears last Super Bowl win was in 1985 under Mike Ditka and Bears fans have been waiting over 21 years to get back to the big game.

If they win on Sunday, you will see a ton of fake Brian Urlacher autographs on the market. Urlacher, by far, is the most popular and most collectible player on the team. Most players raise autograph prices when they go to the Super Bowl simply because their "stock value" increases when they are playing the big game. Most Super Bowl champions are hard to nail down for autograph signings. Bottom line is Urlacher items are scarce right now as it is, if he wins a Super Bowl they will be harder to get, but you will see more on the market -- if you do the math you will see what I am talking about.

Unfortunately you will find most fake Urlacher and Bears autographs on eBay.

The best thing to do is buy from established, reputable companies who have a history of selling authentic autographs and contracting direct with athletes. A novice autograph collector normally can't tell the difference between a real and fake autograph. You have to go with companies who have a track record with authentic autographs.