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When we talk about sports memorabilia and collectibles, what immediately comes into your mind? Do you visualize the sports cards, or do you think of the varied gear and equipment like signed jerseys, jackets, hats, and posters? Well, there are many ways to show your support by collecting items of your favorite team or player. People collect for other sports as well, such as baseball, NASCAR, basketball, football, golf. Some items that are found to be enjoyable to collect are die cast models, Bobble Heads, Hero Posters, and the newest items are The Fat Heads items. These are life-like, full-size reproductions of sports heroes that can be adhered to your wall. With all of the memorabilia that a fan can collect, sometimes it is no wonder that some are confused as to where to start or how to start collecting sports memorabilia and sports collectibles. Collecting any sports memorabilia or sports collectibles is a very personal hobby that has value based more on the individuals likes and passions as much as the success of the single player or team.

For those of us who want to buy a family member or a friend a gift that is related to their favorite athlete, team, or sport, what do we look for? For starters, you might want to consider the New York Yankees. This baseball team is one of, if not the most illustrious baseball team in the world, plus their rosters from past to present has been dotted with all-time greats. Then again, perhaps they are hooked on NASCAR. Then you have Tony Stewart, Jimmy Johnson, and lots more. We cannot forget the late and great Dale Earnhardt Sr. whose memorabilia have not only doubled up but tripled after his demise, and appear to be rising in economic value even more each year. As with many eminent artists like Rembrandt, Earnhardt fans refuse to allow his dream and legacy to die.

NASCAR collectors do not only have a wide selection of cars to choose from, but Plush Bears designed after the driver, year books and autobiographies, key chains and lighters, plates, and much more. You will even find out that baseball memorabilia and sports collectibles have spread into the Christmas decorations, with a wide selection of decorations for the tree and even the roof of your home.

However, there are other great sports stars as well, like Ben Roethlisberger, Shaquille O'Neil, and Nomar Garciaparra. Moreover, let us not forget the legendary Michael Jordan. When throwback jerseys were mentioned, you may or may not have realized how much these have influenced sports memorabilia, but in 1980, when the major sports leagues started to market both new and used game jerseys, it pushed the collectors to wanting even more.

The die cast scene has changed as well. One of the hottest items at one time was fire trucks, but they have revolved back to the older muscle cars and the newer hotrod collectibles. Of course we always have the sports collectors who grab anything from a picture of Tiger Woods to a vintage Los Angeles Lakers team photograph. Even the seven-time champion of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong, has a strong following for memorabilia and sports collectibles.

When it comes to the value of the items you collect, remember that the more celebrated the superstar, the more expensive the baseball memorabilia and sports collectible items will be. If the item can be verified as authentic in some way, that really adds to the value. Make sure you keep any items related to your sports collectible or sports memorabilia. These would consist of the original box, any messages or signatures, receipts, etc. These will all help out to make the item more precious and collectible.