Beware of Fraudulent Autographs on New York Jets Memorabilia

As we enter the year 2007 we see numerous companies trying to come up with the newest idea on how to authenticate autographs. Fake sports memorabilia is at an all-time high, most of which are being sold through eBay. If I spent some time browsing eBay right now to find shirts, photos, soccer balls, helmets, etc. autographed by the New York Jets. I would come across more fake autographs than you can imagine. These fakes are not just limited to eBay, but to sports memorabilia shows and internet sites everywhere, however, they are more prevalent on eBay because a seller can “hide” behind an identity.

If you’re paying $500.00 for a “hand signed” Curtis Martin New York Jets game helmet, you obviously want to make sure it’s real. Curtis Martin is one of, if not tea Most commonly forged autograph among current and former New York Jets players. Usually, if a price seems too good to be true for an item, something is probably wrong. For example, if a seller offers a signed 16×20 photo of Chad Pennington for $49.99, beware. The experienced collector knows the prices these types of players fetch at a public autograph appearance. If a Joe Namath autograph ticket costs $175.00 at a show that doesn’t include the actual item to be autographed, how come a vendor can offer you a signed Joe Namath soccer ball for $99.99? Even at dealer wholesale price would be less than cost, the authenticity of this item must be questioned.

If you’re a serious collector of autographed New York Jets memorabilia, you know that authenticity is paramount. There’s nothing worse than looking at one of your most prized possessions in a display case and scratching your head wondering if it’s real or not. As any collector has seen in the last 5 years, many players don’t even sign their full name anymore. Many will simply sign their initials with their number. This was common in 1998 when Heisman Trophy winner and then-current running back for the New Orleans Saints, Ricky Williams, signed his name simply “RW 34.” Williams was the most sought-after autograph in football at the time, but with an autograph that almost anyone could forge, forgeries were everywhere.

Maybe you are wondering, “How can I be sure the autographed Jets memorabilia I’m buying is real?” the good news is you they can be sure. First and foremost when purchasing, be sure to look for the players own hologram. Most of the Jets players like Jerricho Cotchery, Chris Baker, etc. they have their own hologram. It should say something like “Jericho Cotchery Authentic.” These types of holograms come directly from the player or player marketing agent. Typically, a company that represents a player exclusively for their autographed memorabilia and public/private signings will have the players hologram on every piece of signed memorabilia they offer. As the Jets continue to become a powerhouse in the league, the rise of false memories of the NY Jets will continue to grow. A player’s own hologram is an unshakable authenticity in any item.

Another thing to remember is that a “Certificate of Authenticity” is only as good as who it comes from. If you know that a specific company has had relationships with certain team players over time, you can have that level of confidence you’re looking for when buying your investment. If XYZ Sports has been making appearances for player autographs, private signings, and exclusive representation of that team’s players for a period of time, you should look nowhere else in terms of authenticity of items offered by that company. Autographed New York Jets memorabilia can be a real investment if you follow the guidelines and do your homework before making your purchase.